Overview

Synopsis

Based on Puccini’s beloved opera La Bohème, Rent follows the ups and downs of a year in the life of a group of impoverished, artistic friends living in Manhattan’s East Village. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, struggles to find his place in the world; his roommate Roger, an HIV-positive musician, wonders how he will leave his mark before he dies. Mimi and Angel look for true love as they face the harsh reality of life as HIV-positive young people, while the businesslike Joanne seeks fidelity from her wild-child performance artist girlfriend Maureen. The group’s dreams, losses, and love stories weave through the musical’s narration to paint a stunningly raw and emotional portrait of the gritty bohemian world of New York City in the late 1980s, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1996
Genres
Drama
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
The late 1980s to early 1990s in New York City’s East Village, capturing the struggles of young artists and friends living under the shadow of poverty, addiction, and the AIDS crisis.
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal For
College/University, Ensemble Cast, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Diverse Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Lead Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Mark Cohen

Lead

Male

Tenor

Mimi Márquez

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Roger Davis

Lead

Male

Tenor

Tom Collins

Supporting

Male

Bass-Baritone

Angel Dumott Schunard

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Maureen Johnson

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Joanne Jefferson

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Mark’s Mother

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Alexi Darling

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Squeegee Man

Featured

Male

Tenor

Street/Urban Ensemble

Ensemble

Not Specified

Support Group

Ensemble

Not Specified

The Jeffersons

Ensemble

Not Specified

Non-singer

Songs

Act I

Act II

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a medical condition caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system. It has had a profound impact on the performing arts community, particularly in the late 20th century, as many artists and organizations have addressed its social and personal effects through theatre.

    A medication used to treat HIV/AIDS. Frequently referenced in plays addressing the AIDS crisis, such as 'Angels in America.'

    A powerful, resonant singing technique used in musical theatre to project high notes with chest voice.

    Describes characters or artists who reject conventional norms, often romanticized in theatre and musicals.

    A concept musical is a type of musical structured around a central idea, theme, or message rather than a straightforward linear plot. Songs, characters, and scenes are often arranged to explore this unifying concept from different perspectives. This style allows for greater experimentation and can blend satire, social commentary, or abstract storytelling.

    A recurring musical theme associated with a particular character, idea, or emotion. Frequently used in opera and musical theatre, leitmotifs help reinforce narrative continuity and emotional cues for the audience.

    A public performance before official opening night, used to fine-tune a show based on audience response.

    A rock musical is a form of musical theatre that incorporates the rhythms, instrumentation, and energy of rock-and-roll into its score. Emerging in the late 1960s with shows like Hair, rock musicals often bring a contemporary, rebellious edge to the stage. They blend theatrical storytelling with the raw power of popular music to attract younger and more diverse audiences.

    Satire is a dramatic style that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior, social institutions, or political systems. In theatre, it highlights flaws and hypocrisies through wit and parody, encouraging audiences to laugh while also reflecting on serious issues. Satire can range from lighthearted comedy to biting social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    A musical format where all dialogue is sung, creating continuous musical storytelling without spoken scenes.

    A silent, motionless group of actors representing a scene or moment, often used for dramatic effect or to end a scene visually.

    A through-sung musical is one where the story is told almost entirely through continuous music instead of spoken dialogue. Songs and recurring melodies connect seamlessly to carry the narrative, giving the show a heightened and operatic feel. This structure makes the emotions of the characters more immediate and helps the audience stay immersed in the musical world.

    A developmental process for a theatrical work involving readings, rehearsals, and informal performances to refine material.

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