BWW Exclusive: How Do You Measure 20 Years in the Life of RENT? The Original Cast Reflects on 1996

10,512,000 minutes. It might not sound as catchy, but it's a number that certainly makes an impression. 10,512,000 minutes ago, the world was changed forever when a new musical called RENT rocked New York for the first time off-Broadway. It was January 25, 1996 when Mimi, Roger, Mark, Collins, Maureen, Benny, Joanne and Angel came to life onstage at the 150-seat New York Theater Workshop- a run that would precede the show's 12-year stint on Broadway.

Twenty years later, it's difficult to picture a Broadway without the influence of RENT. In his 1996 review, New York Times reviewer Ben Brantley wrote: "While Mr. Larson plays wittily with references to Puccini's masterpiece, the excitement around "Rent" more directly recalls the impact made by a dark-horse musical Off Broadway in 1967: "Hair." Like that meandering, genial portrait of draft-dodging hippies, this production gives a pulsing, unexpectedly catchy voice to one generation's confusion, angep and anarchic, pleasure-seeking vitality."

The original cast members are well aware of the huge impact the show has made. Daphne Rubin-Vega, who created the role of Mimi, told us: "It meant being welcomed into a community I never realized was so strong... and feeling like a bringer of change in musical theater; and ambassador of a very important message."

Said original Benny, Taye Diggs: "It opened my eyes. I'd never been a part of theatre that was so transformative. It was a part of a movement. And I got a son out of it! [Laughs]"

The memories don't stop there. Diggs reflected back on the rehearsal process, to a time before "Take Me or Leave Me": "Jonathan Larson hadn't written a song for Maureen and Joanne. My rehearsal was right after Idina [Menzel] and Fredi [Walker]'s rehearsal and I overheard them singing the song that he had just written. It was amazing. I had never heard anyone sing like Idina. To witness the creation of a piece of work like that and then to see it performed was really cool."

Original cast member Rodney Hicks recalled another iconic song. When we asked him about his favorite RENT memory, he responded: "When we all sang 'Seasons of Love' together for the first time in the upstairs rehearsal room at NYTW. I will never forget that moment."

Rubin-Vega can still picture a moment outside of the rehearsal room. She shared: "I remember Tomkins Square Park in 4 ft of snow. NYC was so quiet except for snowball fighting with the cast whilst Jonny [Larson] watched, eating a sandwich."

Original cast member Darius de Haas told us : "I will always describe RENT not as the show I wanted to do but the show I HAD to do. There was no way I could not be part of it. It was a singular experience in my growth as an actor but more importantly as someone becoming more aware of being part of something that is so much bigger than any one individual."

Fredi Walker, who was the original Joanne, perhaps summed up the spirit of the show best. She explained: "It really meant (and still means) that I will never see life the same way. It means that I cannot waste my life precious on hatred, anger or negativity. It taught me to embrace life and my fellow humans with the utmost gusto! To forgive myself (and others) for not being perfect. To enjoy the moment I'm in. To choose happiness at all times - even or especially in the midst of sorrow. I hope with all my heart to live up to the gift I've been given."

CLICK HERE to celebrate RENT's anniversary with performances from '20 DAYS OF RENT.'

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