La Bohème: Making RENT Make Sense

The musical RENT is loved for many things. Idina Menzel, its 90's aesthetic and rock soundtrack, just to name a few. Yet it has grown increasingly infamous for what many consider to be its biggest flaws. Criticisms on the characters' actions, portrayal of the AIDS crisis and a certain character's survival weigh down on this show's legacy. But, if one were to look back on its source material, Giacomo Puccini's La bohème and the adaptation process between the two, one can gain some serious insight into Jonathan Larson's ideas for his piece. 00:00 Opening 1:20 The Source Material 6:13 Act 1 9:49 Act 2 12:36 The Character Issue 21:11 Act 3 23:58 Act 4 26:06 The Mimi Issue: Themes of Life 36:06 Conclusion