Portuguese-Language ‘RENT’ Returns: Lisbon in May, Porto in July 2026

Early next year, Lisbon and Porto will host a Portuguese-language staging of Jonathan Larson’s landmark musical, exploring themes of housing stress, friendship and survival through the lens of a live rock–gospel score. With the original director back on board and an expanded run in the capital, this production aims to spark fresh conversations about community and the arts in Portugal.

Quick Glance at RENT’s 2026 Return

• Entirely sung in Portuguese with a live band

• Spring season in Lisbon: 21 May–28 June at Auditório dos Oceanos

• Summer nights in Porto: 2–4 July at Coliseu Porto Ageas

• Ticket prices from €18–€35, with group discounts

• Adaptation directed by Sissi Martins, produced by Martim Galamba

• Original Broadway director Michael Greif supervising remotely

An Echo of Lisbon’s Housing Crunch

Decades after its Broadway debut, RENT’s story of young creatives grappling with rent and health crises feels startlingly contemporary in Portugal. In January 2026, the official annual adjustment for urban rendas was set at 2.24%, capping a broader 11% rise for contracts not updated in three years. For many Lisbon residents stretched between Bairro Alto flatshares and Alfama studios, Larson’s East Village struggles hit home.

Beyond numbers, the musical underscores how gentrification and precarity shape creative communities. Producer Martim Galamba notes that “New York’s Alphabet City in the ’90s mirrors today’s Lisbon neighbourhoods,” while director Sissi Martins adds that RENT’s emphasis on chosen family and HIV awareness resonates with ongoing public-health and social-inclusion debates.

Crafting a Portuguese Edition

MTL – Music Theater Lisbon, in partnership with UAU, has spearheaded an ambitious local adaptation. Sissi Martins not only directs but also performs, channeling Larson’s gritty aesthetic through Lisboeta slang and rock-infused arrangements. Meanwhile, Michael Greif, who opened RENT in 1996, drops into rehearsals to ensure fidelity to the show’s raw energy.

Behind the scenes, workshops with Broadway coaches aim to strengthen Portugal’s theatre pipeline and curb talent migration to London’s West End. The 15-member ensemble features familiar faces—Bruno Huca, Diogo Leite, Inês Ramos—and newcomers hungry to make their mark. Martim Galamba sees this as part of MTL’s mission to cultivate a “Portuguese Broadway.”

Lisbon Engagement: Auditório dos Oceanos

Nestled within Casino Lisboa, the Auditório dos Oceanos offers state-of-the-art acoustics and seating for over 1,600. Its proximity to the red-line metro station makes late-night departures easy after the closing strains of “Seasons of Love.”

With prices starting at €26, early reports suggest peak Friday and Saturday performances will sell out fast. Local hospitality groups anticipate an uptick in Tagus-side dinner reservations, linking theatre nights with riverside dining experiences.

Short but Sweet Porto Run

Porto will welcome RENT for just three evenings at the historic Coliseu Porto Ageas. From 2 to 4 July, audiences can expect the same full-bodied orchestration and grounded performances that Lisbon enjoys—just with the city’s dramatic baroque backdrop as a bonus.

Tickets range from €18 to €35, and hoteliers in the Ribeira quarter are already preparing special weekend packages: show tickets plus a francesinha tasting tour.

Booking Your Spot

General sales began on 29 September 2025 via Ticketline. Group reservations unlock savings of 10% for parties of 20+ and 15% for 50+. Accessible seating is clearly marked online, though companion tickets require a direct call.

Many fans from Braga to Vigo are expected to travel, reinforcing RENT’s status as a cultural bridge across northern Portugal and beyond. Organisers encourage e-tickets to bypass box‐office queues—an improvement learned from last year’s pilot season at Teatro Variedades.

Key Takeaways for Portuguese Audiences

RENT’s urban themes dovetail with Lisbon’s rental inflation and creative landscape.

A six-week Lisbon stint and three-night Porto run demand early booking.

High production values assured by Michael Greif and live rock–gospel arrangements.

Group discounts and accessible seating make the show inclusive.

This revival underscores MTL’s drive to build a sustainable Portuguese musical theatre scene.

Whether you measure life in love, loss or renda, RENTS’s message—“no day but today”—returns to Portugal ready to ignite conversation and community spirit.