Alexa Lopez joins Gaten Matarazzo in West End cast of Rent

24-08-26

Alexa Lopez will make her West End debut as Mimi in the eagerly awaited new production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent.

She joins the previously announced Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo as Mark, alongside Travis Ross as Roger, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny.

Lopez takes over the role of Mimi from Bella Brown, who has withdrawn from the production after sustaining an injury prior to rehearsals.  She arrives in London having most recently played Christine in the immersive Off-Broadway production Masquerade, based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Her credits also include Sondheim’s Old Friends on Broadway, Cosette in the North American tour of Les Misérables and the world premiere of Falcon Girls at Yale Repertory Theater.

The ensemble for Rent has also now been revealed, with Baylie Carson, Laura Delany, Ryesha Higgs, Montoya Holloway-Johnson, Rhys Hopkins, Shem Omari James, Hannah Macpherson, TJ Matara-Holloway, Ryan Nixon, Leah Vassell, James Wilkinson-Jones and Kevin Yates completing the company.

The new production celebrates 30 years since Jonathan Larson’s musical premiered on Broadway and will begin performances at London’s Tom Stoppard Theatre, currently named the Duke of York’s Theatre, on 26 September 2026.

Opening night is set for 8 October, with the production currently booking until 27 March 2027.

Inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème, Rent follows a group of artists, musicians and friends living in New York’s East Village as they navigate love, ambition and creativity.

The musical features Larson’s much-loved score, including “Seasons of Love”, “Take Me or Leave Me”, “One Song Glory”, “Out Tonight” and “La Vie Bohème”.

Olivier Award winner Luke Sheppard directs the new production, having previously directed Rent at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, where it won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production.

The creative team also includes choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, set designer David Woodhead, costume designer Gabriella Slade, lighting designer Howard Hudson and musical supervisor Bill Sherman.

Rent begins performances at the Tom Stoppard Theatre on 26 September 2026 and is currently booking until 27 March 2027.  Visit the official site HERE