Rent is what is known as a rock musical (think Hair or Grease). The music, lyrics, and book are all from Jonathan Larson, and Rent is loosely based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème (which is also about the lives of poor young artists).
Rent tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in New York City’s East Village under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
The musical, which began off-Broadway in 1993, won a Pulitzer Prize and moved to Broadway on April 29, 1996. It won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical, among other awards. The production closed on September 7, 1008 after a 12-year run and 5,123 performances. In 2005, it was adapted into a motion picture and featured many of the original cast members.
Here, one last time, is “Seasons of Love” from Rent:
Joan Of Arcadia….. High school musical production…. Adam and Joan talking about the new director….. “who’s this guy Johnny Broadway? Ahaaaa, he was in Rent…. Or he needs rent…. Or is renting something…. I don’t know!”
I saw this on Broadway with my son many moons ago. We thought it was superb, but it was heavy.
I love Rent. Seeing it live for the first time in September. Been waiting since Fall of 2012
Hi Martha – I don’t think I was aware of ‘Rent’ … but might have been – now I’ll keep my eyes open and perhaps see La Boheme at stage … so I can link the two in … This is fun to listen to … cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/r-is-for-rare-breeds-survival-trust.html
Thanks, Hilary. I too would like to see the two side by side.
I’ve never seen the play or the movie, though my niece was head-over-heels in love with it. I am familiar with a couple of the songs, however. LOVE this one!
Calen~
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The joy in this company is so evident, isn’t it?
I love Musical Theater !!! ❤
I know!!!
I saw Rent at PPAC and then, years later, the story came alive for me once again as La Boheme in a wonderful production with the London Symphony at Royal Albert Hall. The audience surrounded the stage and it was a night to remember. Thanks for bringing this back to mind.
Oh, Clare, how wonderful!
I love musicals. Back in the 80’s I had an early Sunday morning slot on WRIU 90.3 called The Broadway Show. It was on extremely early and I’m sure no one listened, but I had fun putting the playlists together.
Another one I’ve only heard of and not sen.
seen. Now how come spell check didn’t catch that?
You can also watch the movie on Netflix, I think.