What is "RENT"?

What is "RENT"?

Rent is based on the opera "La Boheme" by Giacomo Puccino. It is a modern-day tale of a group of people, set in New York's East Village. The characters are:

Roger Davis, a struggling musician who's HIV+. Roger hopes to write one last meaningful song before he dies.
Mark Cohen, a filmmaker and video artist, and Roger's roommate.
Tom Collins, an HIV+ computer genius who's back in New York after being away.
Benjamin Coffin III, landlord of Mark and Roger's building. Benny wants to start a multimedia studio.
Joanne Jefferson a public interest lawyer, and Maureen's lover.
Angel Shunard, a transvestite street drummer also infected with HIV.
Mimi Marquez, a dancer with AIDS and a drug problem.
Maureen Johnson, a performance artist and Mark's ex-girlfriend.
Mark's mom, Roger's mom, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, Mr. Grey, Alexi Darling, Steve, Paul, a Christmas caroller, a woman with bags, a pastor, man with squeegee, a cop, a waiter, and others.

Written by Jonathan Larson, the story was originally told in flashback with commentary by all of the characters.

**The Libretto:**
Act One Tune Up #1 / Voice Mail #1 / Tune Up #2 Rent You Okay, Honey? Tune Up #3 / One Song Glory Light My Candle Voice Mail #2 Today 4 U You'll See Tango: Maureen Life Support Out Tonight Another Day Will I? / On the Street Santa Fe I'll Cover You We're Okay	Christmas Bells Over the Moon La Vie Boheme / I Should Tell You / La Vie Boheme Act Two Seasons of Love Happy New Year / Voice Mail #3 / Happy New Year Take Me or Leave Me Seasons of Love (B) Without You Voice Mail #4 Contact I'll Cover You (Reprise) Hallowe'en Goodbye Love What You Own Finale / Your Eyes / Finale

The Libretto:

Act One
Tune Up #1 / Voice Mail #1 / Tune Up #2
Rent
You Okay, Honey?
Tune Up #3 / One Song Glory
Light My Candle
Voice Mail #2
Today 4 U
You'll See
Tango: Maureen
Life Support
Out Tonight
Another Day
Will I? / On the Street
Santa Fe
I'll Cover You
We're Okay

Christmas Bells
Over the Moon
La Vie Boheme / I Should Tell You / La Vie Boheme
Act Two
Seasons of Love
Happy New Year / Voice Mail #3 / Happy New Year
Take Me or Leave Me
Seasons of Love (B)
Without You
Voice Mail #4
Contact
I'll Cover You (Reprise)
Hallowe'en
Goodbye Love
What You Own
Finale / Your Eyes / Finale