Rent

Musical

Writers: Jonathan Larson

Overview

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
La Boheme
Category
Musical
Number of Acts
2
Tony Award®
Best Musical 1996
First Produced
1996
Genres
Drama
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
late 1980s
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal for
College/University, Ensemble Cast, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Diverse Cast
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes adult, young adult characters

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.

Lead Characters


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