Rent Live on FOX live stream: Watch online

Rent Live comes to FOX on Sunday, January 25. Will make this one day event be as meaningful as the original Broadway production?

Rent Live is set to bring one of the most influential Broadway shows to a wide audience. This poignant, yet compelling musical, looks to find a new audience by incorporating some of today’s hottest performers in this iconic roles. Will this live FOX production create that emotional connection that is Rent?

As more live musical theater productions are coming to television, FOX looks to Jonathan Lawson’s take on La Bohème to continue the success of previous live television events, like Jesus Christ Superstar and Grease. With a cast of popular performers, this live musical event should bring in a large audience.

According to FOX, the synopsis for Rent Live states,

"A re-imagining of Puccini’s “La Bohème,” and set in New York City’s gritty East Village, “Rent” tells the unforgettable story of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams during a time of great social and political turmoil. Winner of four Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize, writer/composer Jonathan Larson’s tour de force continues to offer an inspiring message of hope and friendship."

Rent debuted when the AIDS epidemic was a hot topic. During a time when cell phones weren’t in your pocket and answering machines were the norm, people wanted and needed companionship, love, and some glimmer of hope. This group of young people found that dreams flourished when love guides your path.

Here is a preview clip of the upcoming show.

While some of the references in Rent might seem dated, the underlying story is even more important today. Acceptance, tolerance and love are needed more today than ever. When people can find a way to see past the scared and embrace themselves and others, the world can be a little brighter.

Looking ahead at this episode, it will be curious to see if the production changes from the original stage version. Rent was a rather stark production. Like the New York City area in the musical, it was gritty, grimy and definitely bare bones. That backdrop was almost another character in the musical.

Additionally, this production’s stars have huge shoes to fill. Rent originally starred Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. All of these performers made those characters their own. Hopefully, this new cast finds a way to create their own take, but not overreach. The underlying story is the true star. It isn’t about flamboyance, sex or showboating.

Having seen the original Broadway production many, many years ago, this live television version needs to capture the emotion of this musical. When the lights shine on a group of friends, standing in single spot lights, the raw, pure emotion needs to reach out of the television and grab your heart. Let’s all hope that the box of tissues is empty by the end of Sunday night.

Here’s how to watch Rent Live on Fox.

"Date: Sunday, Jan. 27Start Time: 8 p.m. ETTV Channel: FOXLive Stream: Watch live on Fubo TV. Sign up now for a free seven-day trial. You can also watch on FOX’s website or app."

Rent Live will air on FOX on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.