Jonathan Larson’s Rent forever changed the Broadway musical when it debuted in 1996. Suddenly, rock opera was in, and the traditional musical with a talk-talk-sing format became obsolete. Its story about a group of aspiring New York City artists struggling to pay rent, loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, spoke to a new generation of theatergoer.
At the same time, its music boldly explored issues like homosexuality, drug addiction, and AIDS in a way that no other musical had done before. This month, Rent brings its 20th anniversary tour to the Civic Theatre. Viva la vie bohème!
‘Rent’ Brings 20th Anniversary Tour to San Diego
Photo by Carol Rosegg
