Actor Joaquin Pedro Valdes lands role in West End revival of ‘Rent’

Filipino theater actor Joaquin Pedro Valdes is adding another major international production to his growing resume after being cast in the upcoming West End revival of “Rent,” where he will perform alongside “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo.

Valdes has been tapped to play Benny in the new staging of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical, while Matarazzo will take on the lead role of filmmaker Mark. 

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The production confirmed the cast through a social media announcement on Wednesday, marking Valdes’ return to London’s renowned theater district.

 

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For the Filipino performer, the revival represents more than just another role. Speaking in a video released after the announcement, Valdes shared that the musical’s message remains just as meaningful today as when it first premiered.

Valdes said the revival stays true to the musical’s enduring message while making it feel fresh for younger audiences. 

“The themes of choosing love over fear, choosing community, choosing creation over war, it still resonates right now… he’s bringing it to new generation, so that younger people who have no idea what ‘Rent’ is, will watch them say, that feels so new, and that’s so exciting,” he said.

He also praised director Luke Sheppard’s vision for the production, saying the revival preserves the heart of the original while making it accessible to audiences discovering Rent for the first time.

The actor’s talent agency, BBA Management, celebrated the casting on social media, highlighting both Valdes’ return to the West End and the involvement of associate musical supervisor and musical director Katy Richardson.

“We are so thrilled that our amazing JOAQUIN PEDRO VALDES (@joaquin.pedro.valdes) will be joining the cast of RENT as Benny, returning to the West End. With the brilliant KATY RICHARDSON (@katyrrichardson) on the creative team as Associate Musical Supervisor and Musical Director.

This is going to be something special!” the agency wrote.

 

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Valdes joins an ensemble cast that includes Travis Ross as Roger, Bella Brown as Mimi, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne and Jeevan Braich as Angel.

Widely regarded as one of musical theater’s defining works, “Rent” follows a group of young artists navigating friendship, love, ambition, and loss while living in New York City’s East Village during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Its themes of hope, resistance and chosen family have continued to resonate with audiences around the world since its Broadway debut in 1996.

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