The Jonathan Larson musical, which was directed by Michael Greif, began performances April 16, 1996, and officially opened April 29 at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre.
The original cast included Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Fredi Walker with Gilles Chiasson, Rodney Hicks, Kristen Lee Kelly, Aiko Nakasone, Timothy Britten Parker, Gwen Stewart and Byron Utley.
Here is a look at the stars as the footlights first brightened:
 |
| Taye Diggs, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia |
 |
|
 |
| Anthony Rapp |
|
Adam Pascal and Daphne Rubin-Vega |
 |
| Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp and Taye Diggs |
 |
| Fredi Walker, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel and Jesse L. Martin |
 |
| Rodney Hicks, Byron Utley, Kristen Lee Kelly, Gwen Stewart and Timothy Britten Parker |
 |
|
 |
| Idina Menzel and Fredi Walker |
|
Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Jesse L. Martin |
 |
| Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal |
 |
| The original cast of Rent. |
All photos by Joan Marcus.
