1/25/96

Jonathan Larson, the composer and author of the musical “Rent,” which had been scheduled to begin previews at the New York Theater Workshop last night, died yesterday at his home in Manhattan. He was 35.

James C. Nicola, the artistic director of the New York Theater Workshop, said that an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death. Last night’s preview of the show was canceled, and the company announced that it would sing the score for Mr. Larson’s friends and family at the theater instead.

Mr. Larson had returned home on Wednesday night after the show’s final dress rehearsal. The production of “Rent,” a modern rock opera version of “La Boheme” set in the East Village in Manhattan, was the composer’s first major New York effort.