"25 YEARS OF RENT: MEASURED IN LOVE" will benefit off-Broadway’s New York Theatre Workshop. The event will feature a reunion of the musical’s original cast including Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Anthony Rapp and Daphne Rubin-Vega, who created the character of Mimi.

"The career that I have and the choices that I make are all, um, you know, all roads lead to the opportunity that was 'Rent'," said Rubin-Vega.

What You Need To Know

  • It’s been 13,140,000 minutes or 25 years since the groundbreaking musical RENT burst on to the New York stage

  • The New York Theatre Workshop is hosting a virtual gala in honor of the show's 25th anniversary

In January of 1996, "Rent" had its world premiere at the New York Theatre Workshop. Artistic Director Jim Nicola was there from the very beginning.

Frank DiLella at New York Theatre Workshop with original cast member Daphne Rubin-Vega

"It absolutely shaped and formed a generation. I'm still struck by whenever we have interviews how many times people say they are knocking on the door of New York Theatre Workshop because 'Rent' affected them at a key moment in their development as human beings," said Nicola.

The rock opera which follows a group of struggling artists trying to survive in Alphabet City in the early 90s, was written by the late Jonathan Larson. But Larson never got to see the success of his masterwork. He died the night of the show’s final dress rehearsal. Michael Riedel, author of the book "Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway" credits Larson with creating a major shift once "Rent" transferred to Broadway.

"'Rent" is young. "Rent" is exciting. 'Rent' is hip. I mean, they, you know, they even changed ad campaigns around for 'Rent.' Back in the day, you rarely saw ads for Broadway shows in the subways because the feeling was, well, people go to Broadway, they don't take the subway. They take cabs, but 'Rent' advertised all over the subway because the audience for 'Rent' would take the subway," said Riedel.

While it’s been a quarter of a century since the show’s premiere – Daphne Rubin-Vega says the show and its now iconic characters will forever be relevant. 

Frank DiLella at New York Theatre Workshop with original cast member Idina Menzel

"These people, aren't what they do. They are spirits that are incredibly full of change and support for each other," Rubin-Vega.

To catch Daphne and her "Rent" co-stars reunite on Tuesday night head to nytw.org. You know this self-proclaimed "Rent Head" will be watching.