Out Tonight!

Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Drew Lachey, Wilson Cruz, Frenchie Davis, Blake Lively, Christy Carlson Romano, and a host of stars come out for the final Broadway performance of Rent.

By Joseph Marzullo,Brian Scott Lipton • Sep 8, 2008 • New York

Sunday night was the end of a Broadway era as Rent played its final -- and 5,124th performance -- at the Nederlander Theater. A slew of the show's alumni and celebrity fans attended the emotional evening, which included an after-party at Chelsea Piers. Here are Renee Elise Goldsberry, Tracie Thoms, and Eden Espinosa, the final performers to play Mimi, Joanne, and Maureen.

Anthony Rapp (center), who will reprise his original role as Mark on the show's upcoming national tour, caught up with Adam Kantor and Will Chase, who played Marc and best buddy Roger in the last show.

Film and television favorite Jesse L. Martin, the original Tom Collins, was excited to be able to attend the last performance.

Daphne Rubin-Vega, the first Mimi, caught up with the family of the show's creator Jonathan Larson -- dad Al, mom Nan, and sister Julie -- after the performance.

Wilson Jermaine Heredia, who won the Tony for his portrayal of Angel (second from right), partied with Hair's Christopher J. Hanke and In the Heights' leading ladies Mandy Gonzalez and Karen Olivo. (Both Hanke and Olivo are among the show's many alumni.)

Timothy Britten-Parker, an original ensemble member (and brother of superstar Sarah Jessica Parker), was also in attendance.

Former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy co-host Jai Rodriguez was among the many talented men who played Angel on Broadway over the years.

Here's another heavenly Angel: the multi-talented Wilson Cruz.

Former American Idol contestant Frenchie Davis thrilled many a Rent audience with her solo on the show-stopping "Seasons of Love."

Rent alum Dean Armstrong posed with a former Mimi, the fabulous Maya Days -- who will appear next month in the Off-Broadway musical Sessions.

Here's another celebrated ex-Rent star: Drew Lachey, who's currently playing Patsy in Monty Python's Spamalot and who will host the September 14 Broadway on Broadway concert.

Among the celebrity guests were former Kiss Me Kate co-stars Michael Berresse (currently represented on Broadway as director of [title of show]) and Amy Spanger.

Here's Disney Channel and Broadway favorite Christy Carlson Romano, who takes over the roles of Kate Monster and Lucy T. Slut in Avenue Q later this month, with that show's book writer, Jeff Whitty.

Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, co-author and co-star of the Broadway megahit In the Heights, was also in the house.

Finally, here's the lovely Blake Lively, who plays Serena on the hit television series Gossip Girl.