It's been 175316 hours since Rent's world debut

It's been almost 20 years since the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent first lit up Broadway with its bold portrayal of the struggles and self-discoveries of a group of young NYC natives, set to a landmark rock'n'roll score. What better way to celebrate the upcoming anniversary than with a revival near its birthplace? The celebratory run of one of the 20th centuries most recognisable musicals will be staged by Long Island's Harbor Lights Theatre Company and overseen by actor and director Alex Perez, who's toured nationally with the show.

The show first opened amidst much hype in 1996, after creator Jonathan Larson died unexpectedly the night before its Off-Broadway premiere. The hoopla was justified and Larson's lasting legacy solidified when the original production went on to win four Tonys that year. It has since been revived constantly all over the world and was made into a film featuring Broadway royalty Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs in 2005.

What Is Rent About?

The story is based on Puccini's Opera La Boheme and, like its inspiration, follows the lives of modern New York bohemians/creatives who struggle to pay the rent, with love unrequited and with the oppressive shadow of HIV/AIDs and the mark it leaves on their lives. The starving artists include film-maker Mark who's girlfriend Maureen has left him for another woman, his HIV positive roommate Roger who is trying to write "the" song before dying, amidst a whirlwind relationship with S&M dancer Mimi who also has AIDS and is battling a heroin addiction.