The Atlanta Opera has opened off their 2024-25 season with “The Bohème Project." Following a traditional production of Puccini's La Bohème last season, the company now presents a modern-day take on the same opera, set during the COVID-19 pandemic, performed in repertory with Rent, Jonathan Larson's musical adaptation of the opera, set during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1990s. Both site-specific immersive productions performed on alternate nights, are played on the same set in Atlanta’s Pullman Yards. The productions are co-directed by Tomer Zvulun and Vita Tzykun.

“La Bohème is such a romantic, sweeping opera that we forget sometimes that the story is about the impact on a whole generation of a devastating pandemic, in this case tuberculosis, which ravaged the world in the 19th century," said Zvulun. "Our own generation has been forever altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact will be with us for many years to come. In 2024, The Atlanta Opera launched an experimental program that we named the 'Bohème Project,' using that timeless story to reflect on three pandemics: tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19."

The cast of Rent will be led by Heath Saunders as Roger, Jake Levy as Mark, Jonathan Christopher as Collins, Christin Byrdsong as Angel, Chani Maisonet as Mimi, Bligh Voth as Maureen, Gerald Caesar as Benny, and Harper Miles as Joanne. The corresponding roles in La Bohème will be played by Kamerone Lopreore as Rodolfo, Luke Sutliff as Marcello, Allen Michael Jones as Colline, David Crawford as Schaunard, Amanda Batista as Mimi, Cadie J. Bryan as Musetta, and Andrew Nolen as both Benoit and Alcindoro. James Lowe conducts both scores.

Both productions feature scenic and projection design by Tzykun, costume design by Amy Sutton, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, wig and makeup design by Lindsey Ewing, and sound design by Joshua Reid.

Performances of Rent and La bohème run through October 6. For more information, visit AtlantaOpera.org.