REVIEW: Anthony Rapp offers intimate view of his ‘Rent’ years
Photo: Anthony Rapp wrote and stars in Without You at New World Stages. Photo courtesy of Russ Rowland / Provided by JT PR with permission.
NEW YORK — Anthony Rapp, the celebrated actor of stage, film and TV, is currently offering an inside portrait of the one show that put his name on the proverbial map. In the 1990s, he was part of the original cast of Rent, the Jonathan Larson musical that changed the landscape of theater forever. That’s not to say Rapp hasn’t gone on to other impressive career highlights because he has, including his well-received turn in Star Trek: Discovery on Paramount+, but his time in Rent will always linger in his memory — and the collective memory of the many Rent fans around the world.
Rapp examines these influential years in his solo show, Without You, now playing an extended run at New World Stages in Midtown Manhattan. The show, which features an on-stage band backing the singer, is based off Rapp’s autobiography and mostly centers on his relationship with his mother, who fell ill during Rent’s meteoric rise, and Larson himself, who died tragically before the show could properly premiere.
Rapp’s retelling of this behind-the-scenes story is impactful, engaging and instructive. Although it might seem like everyday theatergoers cannot relate to the experience of being in a hit show, there are actually a multitude of parallels to one’s life and circumstances. This is an examination and dissection of grief. How does one deal with death? How does one deal with sick loved ones who are gradually saying goodbye, and conversely, deal with the sudden, unexpected loss of life that occasionally comes to friends and family? Rapp has more than a few thoughts on both matters, and his findings are heartfelt and authentic.
Rapp’s Without You is not a monologue in the typical sense. He is a musical performer, after all, and the show is sprinkled with wonderful selections from Rent and other songbooks. For example, an REM song pops up because that’s the tune Rapp auditioned with when he first met the Rent creative team before its off-Broadway premiere at the New York Theatre Workshop. Other songs include “Another Day,” “Halloween,” “La Vie Boheme” and, of course, “Seasons of Love.” There are original tunes as well, including “Carry Me Home” and “Visits to You,” among others.
Spending 90 minutes with Rapp and his exquisite band is a transformative experience. He seems to have created this show, with direction by Steven Maler, not only as a trip down memory lane, but as a soul-searching exercise that attempts to answer some profound and cathartic questions. Additionally, Rapp seems interested in letting the audience into this musical exploration and cluing them into how he dealt with grief, how he said goodbye, how he overcame deep sadness. By the look of a recent crowd who had assembled on a Monday night for Without You, the messaging was working; clearly people were touched, no doubt identifying scenes in their own life that mirrored Rapp’s anguish and triumph.
Rapp is one of the most exciting performers to grace a New York stage. He’s a multi-hyphenate who speaks out about activist issues (his Twitter account is socially conscious and equity-minded) and constantly gives credit to the original show and the cherished memories that cemented his standing in the spotlight. He seems to live the message of Rent day in and day out, and through the success of this solo show, he’s probably finding out there’s a lot of people out there just like him.
Without You is important, captivating theater at its best.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Anthony Rapp’s Without You, written by and starring Anthony Rapp, continues at New World Stages in Midtown Manhattan. Directed by Steven Maler. Click here for more information and tickets.
