RENT – About the Show
Highlights of RENT – Must-See Moments
Rent won the 1996 Tony Award for Best musical, as well as the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best musical. The film adaptation, produced by Robert De Niro, was also a success, making Rent famous both on stage and on screen.
Currently, among Broadway shows still running, Rent ranks as the third-longest-running production, following The Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast. It has even been staged in many countries, where it continues to be a beloved and popular musical.
RENT – Show info
Show details of RENT
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Theater location： Nederlander Theatre 208 West 41th Street New York, NY (Map) |
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Performance Run: Previews: April 16, 1996 Opening: April 29, 1996 Closing: September 7, 2008 |
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Show Links: |
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Type of the show: Adapted into a Movie Emotional・Touching Stunning Songs Stunning Dance Tony Award Winner |
RENT – Story
The Plot / Summary of RENT
Amid the harsh realities of life in the city, a group of young artists and friends struggle, grow, and discover the true meaning of love, friendship, and community.
Roger, a songwriter, and Mark, a video artist, live in a rundown loft. Both are broke, unable to pay their rent, and are eventually confronted by their landlord Benny, who demands they either pay up or move out.
Roger carries deep scars: his girlfriend committed suicide after discovering she was HIV-positive, and he soon learns of his own infection. Withdrawn and broken, he is unable to write a single song. Mark, meanwhile, is left behind when his girlfriend Maureen, a performance artist, leaves him for a new partner – Joanne, a sharp Harvard-educated lawyer.
The story also introduces Mimi, a club dancer battling drug addiction and AIDS; Collins, a former roommate of Roger’s, now a professor and computer hacker; Angel, a street drummer and drag queen who brings joy and love into their circle; and others who each share their lives and struggles.
One night, Collins is attacked by street thugs but rescued by Angel, sparking one of the show’s most tender romances. Roger begins a relationship with Mimi, but her drug use eventually tears them apart. Months later, Mimi disappears, only to be found collapsed on the street and carried back to the loft in critical condition.
As Roger finally completes his long-awaited love song and sings it for Mimi, a miracle unfolds…
RENT – Movie
The YouTube trailer of RENT
This is a promotional video for the Broadway musical “Rent.” Experience the powerful singing and dynamic dance performances on stage.
RENT – Explore, FAQ
Behind the Scenes of RENT
The inspiration for Rent comes from the classic Italian opera “La Boheme”
The Broadway musical “Rent” is based on the famous opera “La Boheme” by Giacomo Puccini, reimagined as a story rooted in Bohemian culture. While La Boheme is set in Paris, Rent takes place in New York City’s East Village, a vibrant neighborhood of young artists and dreamers. The story celebrates the community of East Village youth with moments of laughter and tears. Conceptually, Rent was designed as a rock opera, aiming to fuse rock music with classical art. As a result, the score is energetic, contemporary, and perfectly suited to the MTV generation.
RENT – FAQ
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Can I buy tickets for RENT (Broadway show) on the day of the show?
Tickets are available for purchase until the day before the show through our booking page. See more details about RENT tickets.
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How much are tickets for RENT (Broadway show)?
Tickets for the Broadway musical RENT start at $75 with our discounted prices. See more details for RENT tickets.
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Is the English in RENT (Broadway show) hard to understand?
The musical RENT has a slightly higher level of English difficulty. We recommend reading the synopsis before you go. For other recommended shows, please refer to the Broadway Musical Selection Guide. You’re sure to find a show you’ll love from among the many musicals in New York.
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Do you have a summary or synopsis of RENT (Broadway show)?
The story and synopsis of the Broadway musical RENT are introduced in the RENT Story section. Reading this beforehand will help you easily understand the storyline.
RENT – Review
Review from Jellicle Dog:
My RENT memory
Sadly, RENT is closing on Broadway in just two days. I saw it exactly a year ago when original cast members Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal returned to the stage, so I knew I had to go, and flew to New York alone.
I had first watched the movie and then listened to the Broadway cast CD so many times that I memorized every lyric. By the time I finally saw it live, I was in full-on RENT Head mode. The live stage was even more moving than the film. Since the movie replaced many songs with dialogue, I recommend listening to the CD (with lyrics included) before seeing it.
Out of the five musicals I’ve seen, RENT is still my favorite. Even though Broadway is closing the show, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal will headline a U.S. tour in 2009 (with a stop in Tokyo in August), so there are still chances to see RENT live!
September 6, 2008
Review from Kana:
Might be for the more experienced audience
This show definitely appeals to those who want something different. If you’re tired of lighthearted musicals and prefer rock beats (not 50’s style but modern), this one’s for you.
It’s more socially conscious and novel-like, with the focus on singing and acting rather than dancing. The cast includes many Black actors. The story is dark and heavy but deeply moving. In that sense, it doesn’t feel like mainstream Broadway, but it was unforgettable.
February 29, 2008
Review from Mika:
Absolutely cool
I’ve loved this musical for years and finally got to see it. I’d watched the movie many times, but nothing compares to seeing it live on Broadway – it was incredibly moving.
Hearing the exact same songs and music from the film gave me the feeling of reconnecting with an old friend. RENT captures the gritty, cool spirit of 1980s New York in a way only Broadway can deliver.
October 17, 2007
Review from Anonymous:
Thoughts on RENT
Since I don’t understand English well, I sadly fell asleep partway through… But the music was phenomenal. Not just the singing, but the compositions themselves stayed with me. Even my husband, who is confident in English, could only catch about half the lyrics.
So, if you’re not confident in English, I recommend watching the movie first before seeing the Broadway version; that way, it’ll be much more powerful!
June 16, 2007
Review from Kita no Daichi:
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I’m glad I saw it. The music was so powerful it almost hurt my ears, the beat just hit me right in the chest. The singing and dancing were overwhelming, full of energy and impact. I was excited from start to finish!
January 17, 2007
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