Making Rent: The Story Behind the Music that Changed Broadway

Thirty years afterRent, Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock opera, opened on Broadway, you would be hard-pressed to find a musical theater fan who doesn't know at least some of the show's iconic tunes by heart. Much of the impact comes from the show's musical style, a singular blend of grunge rock, power pop, gospel, and R & B that was brought to life by the show's onstage band, headed by the legendary musical director Tim Weil.

From his first day as audition accompanist through his elevat...