One Show Glorious

Last night, I was hanging out with two of my greatest friends.  In a weird turn of events, we started out watching the Home Run Derby (is it me, or does Prince Fielder's swing make him look like a drunk?) and ended the evening discussing musical theatre.  Yeah, we're an interesting bunch.  

Anyway, we were discussing landmark moments in theatre history and brought up the show "Rent."  No matter what you thought of the show's content, I know many of you understand it's place in history.  In 1996, it was like nothing you've ever seen.  And it changed the game.  From the direction to the score, it was unique, fresh, poignant, and brilliant.  Hell, it even invented a new way for fans to see the show!  Who heard of a ticket lottery for front row seats before "Rent?" (and that's an honest question--if there was one before this, please let me know).  While in college, I drove with my two buddies to NYC, sat on 41st Street at 3:30am, and saw a side of NY that was VERY interesting for a 19-year old.  And all for the hope of seeing this show for $20 front row seats.  We made it through the night, were offered weed numerous times, almost got run over by a taxi, saw the show, and didn't stop talking about it for years.  It changed our views of theatre and the world.  It demonstrated what art could do.  

At the Commercial Theatre Institute workshop, Producer Kevin McCollum said that the shows he has always been interested in producing are those that began on the Earth and ended in the heavens.  He produced shows like "In the Heights,"  the revival of "West Side Story," "Avenue Q," and, oh yeah, "Rent."  Has this guy got good instincts or what?

So, yeah, the movie was mishandled and it's kind of a shame that it's image was tarnished a little bit by that.  But, my question is this:  Has there been a show since "Rent" that has had a "voice of a generation" effect?  Yeah, I know, "The Producers" won the most Tonys and "Wicked" has the box office to fix the economic crisis, but do they have the initial impact that "Rent" did?  Or, in hindsight, is the show an overrated period piece?  I'm not of that opinion, but I'd be interested to see who is.