𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

In Rent, Matarazzo plays struggling film-maker Mark, who chronicles and narrates the lives of his friends.

It has been 30 years since the show first opened off-Broadway in New York, but the actor says there are “certain songs that weirdly resonate now”.

“What You Own, which feels like a reflection on information overload, is incredibly relevant,” he says.

“That’s really fun to sing in context of today.”

When it was first performed, Rent shone a light on young friends and artists living in late 1980s and early 1990s New York during the HIV/Aids crisis.

It was considered groundbreaking at the time for tackling social taboos and centering stories of LGBT people.

Writer Jonathan Larson died suddenly the night before its premiere.

Matarazzo’s co-star, Travis Ross, who plays Roger, says the show’s themes still “ring true” today.

The 25-year-old says having Rent tends to attract people who “care so deeply” about the show’s message, resulting in a connection between actors and the audience.

He calls it a “really beautiful community-driven piece of art”.

Both Ross and Matarazzo are keen to acknowledge their fellow cast members and point out Rent is “an ensemble” piece.

“In the same way we get our moments to tell the story there’s also ten other people who get their moments to tell the story as well,” says Ross.