Who Wrote Rent

Rent is a groundbreaking musical written by the American playwright, songwriter, and composer Jonathan Larson. It is loosely based on the famous opera La Boheme, which was composed by Giacomo Puccini in the late 19th century.

The show opened on Broadway in 1996 and was Larson’s triumphant victory over years of hard work, personal struggle, and poverty. Larson was unable to enjoy the success of his beloved musical as he tragically passed away from an aortic aneurysm the night before the first public preview.

Rent was groundbreaking in its frank treatment of contemporary subject matters such as homosexuality, drug usage, and HIV/AIDS. The characters in Rent come from all walks of life, representing many of the struggles and realities faced by those living in the LGBT community and other marginalized minority groups in the 1990s.

The music in the original production was composed entirely by Larson and captures the range of emotions from the characters of the show from all-out joy to deep desperation and pain. The songs often showcased the realities of living in New York City at the time and broke new ground thematically as they dealt with matters such as death, poverty, and social injustice.

The success of Rent led to countless national and international productions, as well as a film adaptation in 2005. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1996, as well as the Tony Award for Best Musical and Score of the Year. It has been produced by countless theaters and universities around the world and has been credited with revitalizing the genre of American theater.

Rent has come to stand as Jonathan Larson’s crowning achievement, a lasting testament to the power of his artistry and the potential that was tragically cut short by his untimely passing.