Photo Coverage: Inside Closing Night of RENT at New World Stages!

The original production of Rent opened at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre on April 29, 1996 following a history-making, sold out, extended limited engagement at off-Broadway’s New York Theatre Workshop. The musical went on to win every major best musical award, including the Tony Award, New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Additionally, Rent is one of only eight musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama. In all, Rent won four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, two Theatre World Awards, and Obie Awards for its creator, director, and entire cast.

The original production closed on September 7, 2008, after playing 5,124 performances and 16 previews. Rent is the ninth longest running show in Broadway history. Tours of Rent have crisscrossed the country almost continuously since late 1996, including a successful tour starring original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp in 2009.