Warner Brothers Records Announces "Rent" Soundtrack Release  10/11/05

"Rent" Soundtrack Released: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Features Performances by Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel and More

Produced by Multi-Grammy(R) Winner Rob Cavallo

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/10/05 -- Warner Bros. Records has announced the release of the "Rent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" featuring music from the forthcoming film adaptation of the multi-Tony winning smash Broadway musical.

With Rob Cavallo (producer of Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, Eric Clapton, etc.) at the producer helm, the "Rent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" features performances by acclaimed actress Rosario Dawson, who, in the role of Mimi Marquez sings the show-stopping "Out Tonight." Also featured are Taye Diggs who reprises his role as Benny from the Broadway production, as well as other original cast members Idina Menzel, "Law & Order's" Jesse L. Martin, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Jermaine Heredia and newcomer Tracie Thoms.

Highlighting the anthemic single "Seasons Of Love," the "Rent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" contains almost thirty selections including such extraordinary ensemble pieces as the title track, "Today 4U (Today For You Tomorrow For Me)," "Another Day" and "La Vie Boheme." Among other essential tracks: "I'll Cover You," "One Song Glory" and "Take Me Or Leave Me."

"I've always wanted to be involved with a musical. I believe they are a classic art form that has been somewhat neglected and 'Rent' tells a very important and relevant American story. The setting on the lower east side in the late '80s combined a forgotten N.Y.C. community struggling through socio-economic crisis and the threat of AIDS, while reflecting an authentic artist struggle. I was excited by the music and wanted to create arrangements that authentically represented both the heart of the story and its original styllistic intent. I'm excited about this project because I believe it will move people in a profound, emotional way," he concluded.

The "Rent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" is being made available in eight special edition formats, each with cover art featuring a different cast member.

One of the most influential and enduring productions in theater history, "Rent" was written by Jonathan Larson and based on Puccini's immortal opera "La Boheme." It tells the story of a group of free-spirited artists living and loving in New York's East Village in the midst of the AIDS epidemic. Winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, four Tonys and numerous other awards, "Rent" has since gone on to become an international sensation with touring companies in Australia, Japan, Mexico, the UK, Brazil and elsewhere. The film version is produced by, among others, Robert DeNiro for Revolution Studios and directed by Chris Columbus of "Harry Potter" and "Mrs. Doubtfire" renown and is scheduled to be released on November 23rd.