Mybergen.com Don’t Miss Event: Englewood Health Presents “Rent – The Musical Concert Version”
Since premiering at the New York Theatre Workshop in 1993 and then moving to the Nederlander Theatre in 1996 for what proved to be a stunning 12-year Broadway run, “Rent” has enjoyed unprecedented critical and popular acclaim as a groundbreaking musical production and cultural phenomenon.
In recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month, the Performing Arts School at bergenPAC is partnering with Englewood Health to present a free production of “Rent – The Musical: Concert Version” on Friday, May 17th at 7:00 pm, Saturday, May 18th at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, May 19th at 2:00 pm. The performances will take place in the Chiang Auditorium at Englewood Health, located at 350 Engle Street in Englewood, New Jersey.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Rent” features songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences. Set in the East Village of New York City, the show is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Directed by Alexander Diaz, Director of Education and Outreach at bergenPAC, with musical direction by Ben Boecker, the performances feature local actors.
Audiences will also hear from Englewood Health’s behavioral health experts about addiction and mental health issues facing our community today, the support and treatment resources available, and how everyone can work together to reduce the stigma associated with these important issues.
According to cast member Elad Ness who plays Mark Cohen in the Englewood Health production of “Rent”, “This show is really important for teens to watch because it sends out a message of, ‘No one’s ever alone.’ People are going through the same things as you and you can always reach out to someone. All the characters in the show often feel like they don’t have anyone that they can talk to, but then they find support groups in their friends. Just because you are going through something doesn’t mean you’re the only one going through it.”
Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month, the media, local events (such as this Englewood Health production) and community health screenings will help to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should be aware of and concerned with.
“Mental health awareness is super-important. I experienced a lot of mental health issues and I ended up in the hospital for two weeks. Without the hospital, I probably wouldn’t be here,” explained Ness.
As a designated stigma-free zone, Englewood Health is dedicated to educating the community and offering resources that help combat discrimination and negative perceptions toward individuals with mental illness. At the end of 2018, Englewood Health opened The Gregory P. Shadek Behavioral Care Center – with the primary location at 25 Rockwood Place in Englewood – featuring a dedicated care team of psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, an addiction specialist, and associated healthcare professionals. Collaborating with existing nonprofit and governmental agencies, the team is creating education and prevention programs rooted in promoting healthy lifestyles for children and adults in the local community.
Register here for “Rent – The Musical: Concert Version”
For more information about this performance, call 201-482-8194, email [email protected], or visit bergenpac.org/education. Recommended age for attendance is 13+.
For more information about behavioral health services at Englewood Health, call 201-292-1400.
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