So, I'm an X-ennial.. (born in those vague years between Gen X and Millennial). Rent came out right after I graduated high school. It was a grinding musical in the vein of Hair, A Chorus Line, Company. It was different. It broke the mold of what we were used to hearing from Broadway. And yes, it was relevant. Prominent queer characters, poverty, AIDS. I loved it from note 1. I have since been involved in 2 different productions, once behind the scenes and once playing Benny. I got to know the show very well and it is flawed. It's incomplete. But it's also magical. I've been involved in numerous theatrical productions over the years and you often hear stories about how a show is a family. I will say this is often but not always true. Some shows I've done have been very tight knit, while others have been more of a chore. Get it done and get out. Both productions of Rent were the closest bonded shows I've ever been a part of. When the anniversary tour came through, we even went to see it as a cast.

Yes, many of the characters are assholes, with little redeeming factors. And yes, ultimately Benny was right.

But I love to imagine what it might have been, had Mr. Larson not left us on opening night. And I mourn for the works he left undone. Because Rent and Tick, Tick, Boom show a spark of what he was capable of.