Mass Arts Center - "Rent"(12)

At the heart of this production is its electrifying score. Larson’s music blends rock, pop, gospel, and traditional musical theatre into a sound that is both rebellious and deeply emotional. Songs like the iconic “Seasons of Love,” the explosive “La Vie Bohème,” and the moving “Will I?” give voice to the characters’ inner lives and to a generation’s cry for meaning, identity, and connection. The music is raw and real, propelling the story forward with an energy that has captivated audiences around the world.

Since its debut, RENT has been hailed as a cultural phenomenon. It premiered off-Broadway in 1996 and quickly transferred to Broadway, where it won the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It revolutionized the musical theatre landscape, introducing a new generation to the power of musical storytelling rooted in social realism and artistic integrity. Tragically, Jonathan Larson died suddenly the night before its first preview performance, never witnessing the impact his work would have on the world. His vision, however, lives on in every performance of RENT, a show that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences of all ages.

Music, Lyrics, and Book by Jonathan Larson

Directed by Vincent Ratsavong

Music Directed by Derrick Lacasse