Rent

A Broadway musical from the mid-1990s. Rent is a rock opera based on Giacomo Puccini's opera "La bohème."

Penny auditioned for a role in a workshop production of the show and didn't get a part. She couldn't figure out why, although when Sheldon heard her off-key attempts to sing the song "Out Tonight" he suggested that he might have an idea why. When the actress playing the Mimi in the show had to drop out, Penny was given the part. She asked Leonard and Sheldon if they would come and see it. Having just heard her dreadful singing on the stairs, Leonard lied and said they were busy that night.