Drug dealers, people living (and dying) with AIDS, homosexuals and struggling artists refusing to pay their rent. Just another day in New York City? Perhaps.

But with some creative genius, however, Jonathan Larson turned the dull and mundane depiction of everyday New York City bohemian life into one of the best rock musicals to sweep the country with Rent, an updated version of Puccini's La BohËme. The scope extends well beyond New York City with a universal theme of love and living (and more than merely existing.)

Rent, which opened in at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville on Tuesday night, has swept all major theatre awards, including the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and is one of only five musicals to win both the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award. Additionally, Rent has been awarded the Tony for Best Score and Best Book; three Drama Desk Awards (Best Music, Best Lyrics and Best Book); 1996 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical and the 1996 Obie Award for Outstanding Music Lyrics and Book.

The musical consists of fifteen young performers, a 35-song score and a five-piece band, which unlike many traditional musicals is directly on stage.

The story opens with Mark Cohen, a filmmaker, and Roger Davis, a songwriter in their East Village loft. The electricity is out, they are burning scripts and posters in a garbage can and wondering how they will pay rent. The bohemian ensemble sets the mood for the entire show with the invigorating number (also called "Rent.") Mark dated the outspoken and temperamental Maureen Johnson, but was later dumped for Joanne Jefferson, lesbian conservative and Harvard Law School grad. Mark and Roger's ex-roommate, Benjamin Coffin III (Benny), marries into a rich family and bought the building in which Mark and Roger live. Roger is dating Mimi Marquez, a sexy S&M dancer who used to date Benny. Sound like a soap opera?

The way in which the lives of the characters intertwine is part of the appeal of the show.

Roger falls in love with Mimi. Collins meets Angel, a drag queen, and falls in love after discovering that they are both HIV-positive. Maureen and Joanne continually fight and argue, and ultimately make up. Mark lives his life through capturing it all on film.

The songs alone are phenomenal, ranging from romantic and compelling with such songs as "Light My Candle" and "I'll Cover You" to the downright silly "Over the Moon." The ensemble songs were much better than most solo songs which lyrics were often hard to understand.

Adrian Lewis Morgan plays the role of Roger. He said that "although the show should appeal across the board, the audience is mostly younger--it's a rock musical."

Sadly, Larson died just 10 days before his 36th birthday, on the night of Rent's final dress rehearsal. His sudden death exemplified what the show is about--a life trying to find love and hope on borrowed time.

"It's about living and doing whatever makes you feel good," said Julia Santana, who plays Mimi, in an interview after Tuesday's successful opening. Her favorite song to perform is "No Day But Today." "I live my life by those lyrics."