New York Theatre Workshop has announced that its 2021 Annual Gala will celebrate the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, RENT.

The Gala will be held virtually on Tuesday 2 March at 8PM EST and will remain available to stream until 6 March at 8PM EST.

Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical, RENT, opened at New York Theatre Workshop 25 years ago and then went on to shape a generation. What began in the East Village traveled to Broadway, across the nation and around the world.

The virtual celebration will feature a selection of iconic songs by some of today’s most beloved recording and theatre artists and will include exclusive content, uncovering how RENT came to life and reflections on the driving force of Jonathan’s legacy in the American theatre.

The evening will feature appearances by original NYTW cast members Gilles Chiasson, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Rodney Hicks, Idina Menzel, Aiko Nakasone, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin-Vega & Byron Utley.

Also appearing will be Sebastian Arcelus, Annaleigh Ashford, Martha Banta, The Bengsons, Adam Chanler-Berat, Linda Chapman, Nicholas Christopher, Paul Clay, Wilson Cruz, Brandon Victor Dixon, Wendy Ettinger, Stephen Graham, Michael Greif, Janet Harckham, Jeremy O. Harris, Neil Patrick Harris, Victoria Hoffman, Joe Iconis, Christopher Jackson, Julie Larson, Tamika Lawrence, The Lazours, Telly Leung, Kamilah Marshall, Kevin McCollum, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anaïs Mitchell, Shakina Nayfack, James C. Nicola, Eva Noblezada, Dael Orlandersmith, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Will Power, Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Jai Rodriguez, Jeffrey Seller, Rona Siddiqui, Leigh Silverman, Ali Stroker, Ephraim Sykes, Bernie Telsey, Jennifer Ashley Tepper, Tracie Thoms, Ivo van Hove, Tom Viola, Tim Weil, Angela Wendt, Marlies Yearby and more.

The event will be directed by Andy Señor Jr., with musical supervision by Stephen Oremus and musical direction by Will Van Dyke.

Artistic Director James C. Nicola said: “More than a quarter century ago, a small but ambitious theatre company moved into a new home, intent on finding roots in its new community and giving voice to theatremakers dreaming of what a better world might look like.

“The neighborhood they found was a beacon for artistic experimentation and rule-breaking, where outsiders—those whose restless imaginations and fervent hearts were impatient with injustice and who fought for its remedy—were embraced. That small company was New York Theatre Workshop, and that welcoming community the East Village. Three years later, Jonathan Larson's RENT would shine a spotlight on our beloved home and the artists that give it life. This March, we will honor Jonathan and his beloved musical, which has given so many blessings to our small theatre with big dreams.”

The NYTW Annual Gala raises nearly 10% of the Off-Broadway company’s annual budget so to book tickets, please click here.