Stripped-down 'Rent' Brings Humanity to the Forefront, Actor Says

The State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick will present "Rent in Concert" on Thursday, February 19.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Jasiana Caraballo, who plays the role of Mimi in the "Rent in Concert" tour, discusses how the stripped-down concert format of the iconic musical allows the focus to shift to the powerful storytelling and humanity at the heart of the show. The concert features a full lineup of songs from the musical, performed exclusively in song with orchestral accompaniment.

Why it matters

"Rent" has remained incredibly relevant 30 years after its debut, tackling themes of love, grief, homelessness, and the struggles of young artists in New York City. The concert format allows the show's messages of hope and community to shine through, providing audiences with a meaningful theatrical experience during a time when the world can feel overwhelming.

The details

The "Rent in Concert" tour features a cast of talented performers taking on the iconic roles, including Jasiana Caraballo as Mimi, Kris Carrasco as Angel, Ruchir Khazanchi as Benny, Candice Woods as Joanne, Tommy Kaiser as Mark, Alex Lugo as Maureen, Will Hastreiter as Roger, and Terrance Johnson as Tom Collins. The concert is directed by Sara Brians and conducted by Heidi Joosten, with orchestral accompaniment by the New York City-based ensemble Contemporaneous.

  • The State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick will present "Rent in Concert" on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Jasiana Caraballo

A 26-year-old actress who plays the role of Mimi in the "Rent in Concert" tour. She has been a lifelong fan of the musical and is honored to be part of this production.

Jonathan Larson

The composer and lyricist of the groundbreaking rock musical "Rent," which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Sara Brians

The director of the "Rent in Concert" tour.

Heidi Joosten

The conductor of the "Rent in Concert" tour, leading the orchestral accompaniment by the New York City-based ensemble Contemporaneous.

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What they’re saying

“It's just an honor to be doing this. I can't even wrap my head around this dream I'm living in, honestly.”

— Jasiana Caraballo, Actress playing Mimi (app.com)

“Touring it in this concert format is so special to me because we don't have the big set or the props. We're stripped down to just the music and the lyrics that Jonathan Larson gave us. It forces us to trust the storytelling and each other. All we have are our voices and the band and the words.”

— Jasiana Caraballo, Actress playing Mimi (app.com)

“It brings the focus back to what's always made 'Rent' powerful, which is the humanity. Getting to share that with audiences across the country right now feels like such an honor and honestly a duty that I don't think any of us take lightly.”

— Jasiana Caraballo, Actress playing Mimi (app.com)

The takeaway

The stripped-down concert format of "Rent" allows the musical's powerful messages of hope, community, and the human experience to take center stage, providing audiences with a meaningful and intimate theatrical experience during a time when the world can feel overwhelming.