When it comes to trailblazing and awe-inspiring musicals, Rent should be the first show that most people think about. Between its brave and groundbreaking material and the fact that it initially stayed on Broadway for 12 years, few shows in the world can be put on the same level as Rent. The original Broadway production won four Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical. Rent also spurred the creation of several adaptations, including a movie and a live television performance. On top of that, Rent is filled with amazing songs, an enticing storyline, and as much entertainment value as any other Broadway performance. Even if the show is traveling from city to city rather than being on Broadway, it’s still a show that no lover of musicals or great entertainment will want to miss.

Straight from the Source

Most people know that Rent is based on the 19th-century opera La bohème. Much like the source material, Rent tells the story of a group of artistic friends who are short on money. But instead of being plagued by tuberculosis, the characters in Rent are dealing with the effects of HIV and AIDS. It put a modern twist on a classic tale, helping Rent to connect with modern audiences and start a conversation about a prominent social issue. Just like La bohème is still one of the most performed operas in the world more than a century after its debut, Rent has also become a timeless classic after putting a new spin on the timeless tale of poverty, disease, and other themes that are forever relevant to the lives of ordinary people.

The Star Parade

It’d be next to impossible to name all the famous names who have appeared in Rent at one point or another. The original Broadway cast was filled with notable performers, but all subsequent shows and adaptations have also had talented casts. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed after multiple decades. Every time Rent is performed, there will be a talented cast with a few famous faces. It’s a show that demands only the best from performers, which is why it’s still one of the best Broadway musicals that any audience member can hope to see.