Paying the Rent

A fat line lies between saying you understand what it’s like struggling to survive, and actually doing it. Jonathan Larson knew that line and lived on the side of the latter. In fact he wrote Rent, the Broadway musical detailing just that. Set in New York’s East Village, the famed musical tells a story of exploring life, surviving it, and falling in love. The show premiered off-Broadway just days after Larson’s sudden death. It quickly transferred to the Big White Way, where it won a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize and the changed the musical stage forever. Because Larson lived the life of a struggling artist, he vowed to make this show a universal musical available to everyone. In honor of his original vision, every Rent performance continues to offer seats in the first three rows for just $20 two hours before the show. Rent comes to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale) this week for six performances. Tickets range from $21 to $60. Call 954-462-0222, or visit www.browardcenter.org for showtimes.
Sept. 14-17