RENT is a fairly new musical about people living a bohemian life-styles in New York City that have to deal with AIDS, drugs, hunger, paying RENT, and at the same time learning to follow their hearts and put away their fears. The main theme of RENT is No Day But Today, live every day to its fullest as if each day is your last day on earth. Rent was created by the amazing Jonathan Larson who died of a heart problem on January 25th, 1996, the night before RENT's first preview.

Who's Who in RENT

Roger Davisis a singer/songwriter/guitarist who is trying to write one great song before he dies, has AIDS, is an ex-junlie, lives with Mark who is his best friend

Mark Cohenwants to make movies and be a director, lives with Roger, used to date Maureen

Tom CollinsTeaches "computer aged philosophy", was fired from job at MIT for reprogramming virtual reality equipment to self destruct as it broadcast the words "Actual Reality, ACT UP, fight AIDS", has AIDS, now works at NYU, used to live with Mark and Roger

Maureen Johnsonis a performance artist, used to date Mark, now dates Joanne, used to live with Mark and Roger

Joanne Jeffersonwent to Harvard, is a lawyer, is Maureen's girlfriend, also works as Maureen's stage manager

Benjamin Coffin III (Benny)used to live with Mark and Roger, used to date Mimi, married Allison Gray of Westport, bought Mark and Roger's apartment building

Angel Dumont Schunardis a singer and plays "drums" on a plastic pickle tub, dates Collins, is paid to drive Allison Gray's dog, Akita Evita, to jumping out of a skyrise apartment window, has AIDS

Mimi Marquezused to date Benny, during show hooks up with Roger, dances at the Cat Scratch Club

Quotes from "Rent"

"I didn't recognize you without the handcuffs"--Roger

"You can't wipe out an entire tent city and then watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' on TV."--Roger

"There's only us. There's only this. Forget regret or life is yours to miss. No other road. No other way. No day but today."--Cast

"There is no future. There is no past. I live this moment as my last."--Mimi

"Only thing to do is jump over the moon."--Maureen

"Rent" moments on TV and Film

"Rent" was mentioned in "Friends" (11/6/97) when Rachel was doing a crossword puzzle and asked Chandler what Broadway show won the 1996 Tony Award.

On "Ellen" (12/17/97), Ellen's girlfriend gave her "Rent" tickets for their one month anniversary.

Jesse L. Martin (Collins in the original Broadway cast) was Ally's love interest for three weeks on "Ally McBeal."

Daphne Rubin-Vega (Mimi on Broadway) is in "Wild Things" with Neve Campbell

Taye Diggs (Benny on Broadway) is in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back."

Jonathan Larson

Viva La Vie Boheme!

One song Glory, One song to leave behind...

The tango Maureen

The playbill from the first time I saw RENT