Neil Patrick Harris to Stage Rent at Hollywood Bowl in Summer 2010

Neil Patrick Harris, who played Mark in the West Coast premiere of Rent, will direct a fully-staged concert of the popular rock musical this summer. The staging will play three performances at the Hollywood Bowl from August 6 through August 8, 2010.

Harris earned a Drama League Award in 1997 for his performance in the national tour of Rent, which kicked off at the Ahmanson Theatre in L.A. He made his Broadway debut in Proof, and has also starred in Cabaret and Assassins on Broadway and in California productions of All My Sons, The Paris Letter and Luck, Pluck and Virtue. Currently appearing on the hit CBS series How I Met Your Mother, Harris has also recently become the host du jour for award shows, having successfully emceed the Tony Awards and the Emmy Awards in 2009. Rent will mark his debut as a director.

Original Rent music director Tim Weil will collaborate with Harris on the concerts. No casting has been announced at this time.

Rent will play on Friday, August 6, at 8:30PM, Saturday, August 7, at 8:30PM and Sunday, August 8, at 7:30PM.