Jonathan Larson's RENT at The Historic Highfield Theater

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2. Jonathan Larson's RENT

Jonathan Larson’s - RENT

Book, Music and Lyrics by:

Jonathan Larson

Based on the opera La Boheme by: Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini

“In these dangerous times where the world is ripping apart at the seams, we

can learn from those who stare death in the face everyday by reaching out to

each other and bonding as a community, rather than hiding from the terrors of

Life.”

— Jonathan Larson, NYC 1996 —

Jonathan’s story is for everyone as it emphasizes what it truly means to be

human and the complex emotions and the situations that come with just living.

The story deals with homelessness, HIV, discrimination, addiction and human

value.

RENT is also about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today.

RENT is set in the East Village of New York City in the 1980’s. It follows a year

in the lives of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling

to survive. How these young Bohemians navigate their dreams, loves and

conflicts is the narrative thread through this groundbreaking musical and pop

cultural phenomenon.

In 1996, Jonathan Larson’s RENT won the iconic Pulitzer Prize. Other

awards were:

• 4 Tony Awards - Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original score (music and

lyrics) and Best Actor, Jermain Wilson Heredia who played Angel.

• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical

• The Obie Award for Best Composer and Writer

• The Olivier Award for Best New Musical

RENT ran at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway for 12 amazing years with

sold out houses. It still continues to tour the world and is performed in

professional venues, schools and community theaters all over this planet.

The message is universal and it still is relevant after 28 yrs!

Sadly, in the wee hours of the morning of the opening night preview of RENT,

Jonathan Larson at the of 35 yrs. old died at home from an aortic aneurysm.

He never saw the finished product of his show.

The NY Times wrote after the opening of RENT:

“RENT is one of the most impactful shows in the history of musical theater.

This rock opera is the contemporary answer to La Boheme that rushes forward

on an electric current of emotion that is anything but morbid”. —NY Times,

1996 —