MODERN LOVE AFFAIR—J.D. Driskill and Joelle Georgeff play star-crossed lovers Roger and Mimi in Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Rent,” playing through Feb. 14 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. For reservations and showtimes, call (805) 583-7900. FRED HELSEL/Special to the Acorn In a story on Jonathan Larson’s new production of “Rent” in 1996, The New York Times predicted the innovative rock musical might jolt Broadway.

As it turned out, “jolt” was an understatement. “Rent” had a cataclysmic effect on musical theater, which many viewed as stagnating from the empty spectacles of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The enormous success of many of today’s musicals, notably “Spring Awakening” and “Next to Normal,” can be directly traced back to this powerful and groundbreaking show, with an exhilarating production now being staged at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.

Most theatergoers know two facts about “Rent.” One, the story parallels that of Giacomo Puccini’s tragic opera “La Boheme.”

The other is that Larson, its 35-year-old composer, died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm on the eve of the show’s first off-Broadway preview.

Larson saw similarities between impoverished bohemian artists living in Paris in the 1830s and those he knew in New York in the 1980s. His intention was to create a “Hair” for his generation.

The similarities between the two shows are evident in “Rent’s” celebration of a lifestyle among the disenfranchised in New York City and their struggle for freedom and independence.

“Rent” became an astounding success, winning a Tony for Best Musical along with a multitude of other awards.

Beautifully directed and produced by David Ralphe and Fred Helsel, Simi’s “Rent” is as professional a production as you will see anywhere, even on Broadway. Its controversial themes— gay relationships, drug abuse and transvestism among them—are treated honestly and affectingly.

As in “Hair,” you get to know and like each of the characters. The two shows also have in common members of the clueless older generation, but the underlying “antagonist” in each show is not a person, but rather a nonhuman threat: the Vietnam War in “Hair” and AIDS in “Rent.”

The eight principal players in “Rent” are all young and sexy, with amazing vocal talents. Jonathan Bluth, who was phenomenal in Simi’s recent “Children of Eden,” plays Mark, once a rich kid from Scarsdale who’s now a struggling independent filmmaker and narrator of the proceedings. His pas de deux with Cheridah Best (Joanne) on “Tango Maureen” is one of the highlights of the show.

Although Bluth can carry a show by himself, in “Rent” he doesn’t need to. Mark’s roommate, ex-junkie guitarist Roger, is played by J.D. Driskill, an attractive and charismatic performer with a soaring voice.

Chris Daniel has a tough assignment playing drag queen/street musician Angel without making it an over-the-top caricature, but he succeeds on all levels.

Joelle Georgeff is the alluring Mimi, the S&M dancer who falls for Roger after asking him to “Light My Candle.” (“La Boheme’s” Mimi does the same.) Georgeff’s seduction of Driskill is as sultry as any since “Whatever Lola Wants.”

As Maureen, Jodie O’Donnell Morse is stunning, especially in her flirtatious, show-stopping number “Over the Moon,” during which she has the audience mooing along with her.

The other major players, Kameren Neal as Angel’s love interest, Collins and Michael Uribes as Bennie, the landlord, also give standout performances.

Musical director/keyboardist Gary Poirot has moved from his customary station in front of the audience to the stage itself, tucked underneath one of the scaffolds. There, he and a terrific three-piece rock combo play the score—a musical melting pot that incorporates rock, reggae, Motown and even a tango.

Poignant, frank, funny and emotional, “Rent” is definitely not for kids, so get a sitter and celebrate “La Vie Boheme.”

“Rent” plays through Feb. 14. For more information, visit www.simi-arts.org or call (805) 583-7900 for tickets.