Wow. If there was ever a show to see as a 20-something, this is it. It's also good for most liberal-minded or bohemian-hearted people of all ages. Well, probably not children.
To begin with, RENT's history is so deeply rooted in its story, including the writer's untimely death and his one-on-one contact with the people represented. He was the bohemian lifestyle. In reference to that, RENT has rush ticket line. Rush ticket, done it before, right? Well, it was RENT that started it, offering those who couldn't afford the tickets to get front row seats for $20. Show up the day of the performance, wait it out along with the other people in RENT desperation, and possibly get a front row seat for the price it costs for a dinner at a normal restaurant in NYC. The rush line formally runs first come first served, but because of fanaticism and its strong rush line participants, the rush line now participates in a rush lotto.
RENT reflects squatters and bohemian artists of the mid-‘90s, featuring everything the after-school specials skimmed over, alerting you of their harms. RENT makes these "harms" human, including AIDS, homosexuality, artistic hunger, death, breakups, and homelessness. It embraces the things people are afraid to talk about, but affect EVERY person in one way or another.
Be prepared to be moved. In the tradition of rock musicals, it contains ballads and fast numbers that reflect the mid-‘90s spirit and guitar riffs.
Its final overlying theme is that there is "no day but today," and really, isn't that why we vacation in the first place?