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Calhng all wannabe tenâ€" ants. The national tour of the Publitzer Prize and Tonyâ€" Awardâ€"winning Broadway musical RENT will make a stop at the Centre in the square in Kitchener March 15 and 16. The 26â€"yearâ€"old singer{actress. originally from Providence. RL.. and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. said playing the role of Maureen in the show is a dream come true. And with it comes a burst ot excitement in the form of Ava. one of the stars of the *RENT‘s been one of my favourite shows since I moved to New York." said the young performer. who also recently released her first EP album. "I like the very real qualiâ€" ty it has, depicting a lifestyle that‘s closer to my own more than other shows do. It _Peace of Mind ‘A gritty, real life story‘ Musical RENT returns to Centre in the Square By Avpara Bamry Chronicle Staff makes retirement more enjoyable! focuses on a lot of struggling artists in New York, which I can certainly relate to. "I especially identify with the music. It has a gritty, real quality to it." â€"_RENT follows the story of Benny, Mark and Roger, who are all former roommates. _ with the help of a wealthy fatherâ€"inâ€"law. Benny has bought the buildâ€" ing in which Mark and Roger still live. as well as the lot next door that‘s inhabited by a group of homeless people. Benny wants to build a highâ€"tech cyberâ€"arts studio on the property, toward this end, he plans to clear the homeless from the lot and evict all the tenants from the building, including Mark and Roger. Benny offers a deal to Mark and Roger: if they conâ€" vince Maureen to stop her protest, they can stay in the Mark‘s former love, Mauâ€" reen, schedules a perforâ€" mance protest of Benny‘s scheme for midnight on Christmas Eve. ARTS FOCUS building rentâ€"free "Maureen‘s an amazing character," she said. "She‘s quirky, crazy and a real freeâ€" spirit. She‘s passionate about what she does, and she really believes that if people come together on something, they can make a change." The conflict results in videotapes, pad locks and NIOts. And Ava‘s character‘s right in the thick of it all. Ava said she auditioned for the role countless times before finally being cast. _ "Each time I went back I felt a little more ready for it, and finally it worked out," she said. "The role is so demanding vocally that it‘s good 1 had time to fully preâ€" pare myself, work on my voice, and know what would be expected of me." Recording and producing her first EP helped her do so. "I guess you could say I have my fingers in all aspects of the industry," Ava said, adding she‘s also been 605 Lamrckzood Diive * Waterlos, ON NV 2Â¥XT Call TODAY to reserve your (‘Icg,zml suite! , [ Ht ___ _ §‘¢ LOURT, ,* 2% |LAURELWCODD Gracious Retfrement Living Wu U 519â€"725â€"2442 At The Court at Lauretwood retirement residence, nothing is more important than the comfort and safety of our residents. Your choice of a spacious studio, oneâ€" or twoâ€"bedroom suite includes extensive safety features and amenities to ensure your peace of mind. At The Court at Laurelwood we offer emergency pullâ€"cords in every suite, and our resiâ€" dent managers are onâ€"site 24â€"hours a day. Chetprepared meals daily Xe extra fees or hidden cost Â¥eekly housekespins/linen servi dancing since she was three vears old. But there‘s nothing like landing a role in the 10th longest running musical in Broadway history to pad the resume. "It‘s not a typical Broad: way musical," Ava said "There‘s a whole vibe to it.. let‘s just say it‘s not Okla: homa!, but it‘s a beautiful timely story with a real mes sage." Ava said she hopes the audience takes that message to heart. "They realize that no day counts except today, and that if you live your life withâ€" out fear and with trust, you can find your way." "There is genuine love between the characters. Ticket prices for RENT are from $39 to $69, and can be ordered by calling the Centre in the Square box office at 578â€"1570, or online at www.centreâ€"square.com . For more information on Ava‘s career, visit www.avaâ€" musiconline.com . The hit Broadway musical RENT, starring upâ€"andâ€"coming actress Ava {right), will be staged March 15 and 16 at the Centre in the Square. AND Y Mc OOE echeduled local transportation Numerous planned activities Unique Resident Travel Progmm