Vanessa Hudgens in 'Rent' rehearsals, Neil Patrick Harris says 'bonding is fast and furious'

08/03/2010 by Allison Acevedo

Vanessa Hudgens is rehearsing for her upcoming performance in a Los Angeles production of Rent, in which she plays Mimi, an HIV-positive heroin junkie and nightclub dancer.

"It's an amazing cast. Everyone has such a good willing energy and everyone just wants it to be the best," Hudgens said. "We're all so passionate about this project. It's a great musical - I can't get the songs out of my head!"

Neil Patrick Harris, who stars on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother and played Mark Cohen in a 1997 national tour for Rent, is directing the Los Angeles production, which will run between August 6 and August 8 at the Hollywood Bowl.

"Bonding is fast and furious, especially here with such a short period of time - they have to trust each other. We have no time for drama," he said. "I don't think they quite know yet how powerful it is to perform in the show. Because it's a very moving piece and people are affected by it."

Rent, which debuted on Broadway in 1996, tells of a group of HIV positive friends in New York are struggling to pay their landlords but strive to live life to the fullest and with dignity. The Los Angeles production also stars Wayne Brady as Collins and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger as Maureen.

The original cast included Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, original Wicked actress and Glee guest star Idina Menzel, her husband Taye Diggs from the medical drama Private Practice and Jesse L. Martin of Law & Order fame. A 2005 movie adaptation starred most of them, as well as movie actress Rosario Dawson, who played Mimi.

Check out the video interview with Vanessa Hudgens, carried out by George Pennachio of KABC Television, OnTheRedCarpet.com's parent company (warning: contains questionable language):