The eighth longest-running show in Broadway history, Rent has had a devoted following ever since it was first workshopped in New York back in the mid-90s. The final show at the Nederlander Theater on September 7, 2008, was the 5,124th performance, not counting its 16 previews and all the tours across the country and around the world.

Some of those devoted fans were in attendance Tuesday night at the The Paramount for opening night of its six-day stop in Seattle as part of the Broadway Across American tour. An enthusiastic crowd greeted the return of Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp to the lead roles they originated on Broadway and cheered after every number. Much of the excitement focused on Lexi Lawson and Justin Johnston, who played Mimi Marquez and Angel Schunard, two vital characters in this complex musical drama about the interconnected lives of a group of artists, intellectuals, entertainers and entrepeneurs finding love and themselves while living “la vie Boheme” in a worn NYC neighborhood teetering on the edge of gentrification.

Rent continues at the Paramount through Sunday, June 21 with 7:30 pm performances Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 pm on Friday, a 2:00 pm Saturday matinee, an 8:00 pm Saturday evening performance, and a Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm before the final show 6:30 pm Sunday. In keeping with a tradition that started when the musical first moved to Broadway, seats in the front two rows of the orchestra will be available for $20 for every show. These tickets go on sale at the box office on the day of performance only, two hours before the show, cash only. All other seats can be purchased through the usual outlets; all seats will go fast.