Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute (HBTI) is offering a special, one-night only ticket promotion for this Thursday's July 9 performance of the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning musical, RENT: THE SCHOOL EDITION at Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

“The shows in this year's summer season have a common theme: the power of community,” said HBTI Director Bebe Weinberg Katz. “To celebrate that, when you buy two tickets, you will receive a third ticket free at the door when you bring in a donation of toiletries. These will be passed along to a local homeless or low-income shelter in support of their mission.”

HBTI is seeking donations of personal hygiene products such as soap and shampoo, combs, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, razor blades, toilet paper, etc. “It's a win-win,” added Ms. Katz. “Help those less fortunate members of your community, support the incredible young talent in the area, and have an exciting evening of musical theatre entertainment in the process.”

Tickets are $11-15 and can be purchased online at www.hb.edu/tickets, by calling 216-932-4214 x7270, or at the door the day of the performance. The third ticket will be awarded at the door upon donation of items. Performances are at 7:30 pm in the Ahuja Auditorium at Hathaway Brown School, 19600 North Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122.

Written by Jonathan Larson, RENT won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and multiple Tony and Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. It follows a year in the life of a group of bohemian young artists struggling to survive, create and love in the shadow of HIV/AIDS during the 1990s.

Said audience member Judy Billinghurst about RENT's opening night: “The emotion, energy, and talent that graced the stage was phenomenal! Everyone in the theatre took a journey of love, pain, loss, joy, and friendship together, rising up as one for a standing ovation like I've never experienced.”

For more information, visit HBTI's online box office at www.hb.edu/ticket or contact: Kathleen Osborne, Director of Communication & Outreach, Hathaway Brown School, kosborne@hb.edu, 216-320-8785.