Early last year a group of parents caused a mild controversy when they sued Green Valley High School over its stagings of Rent and The Laramie Project. The themes of drugs, violence and homosexuality are too mature for teens, they argued, much to the chagrin of anyone who remembers how aware of drugs, violence and gay issues they were during high school. A district court judge ruled in favor of the high school. The shows went on. Audiences turned out in droves, galvanized by the controversy and reminded of the importance of Rent, Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning production.

Now, Rent returns to Las Vegas, and though this professional production is met with no controversy, the musical’s Bohemian-spirited message is still just as powerful, inspirational and entertaining. RagTag Entertainment will produce Rent every Wednesday in March at Ovation inside Green Valley Ranch. Funds from each show benefit Golden Rainbow, a nonprofit that provides housing and direct financial assistance to Southern Nevadans living with HIV/AIDS.