Jonathan Larson
Jonathan Larson was born on February 4th, 1960 in White Plains, New York to a Jewish family. He was raised in a liberal home where he was provided many opportunities to be dream of changing the concept of theatre, more precisely musical theatre. According to the author’s loved ones, Larson was trained from an early age to enjoy theatre and other imaginative activities. Specifically, Larson’s sister Julie Larson McCollum said, “I think music was just a part of him. He was innately very creative.” Larson had a talent for holding different plays in his background growing up. This foreshadowed Larson’s future as a playwright.
“With this work I celebrate my friends and the many others who continue to fulfill their dreams and to live their lives in the shadow of AIDS. In these dangerous times, where it seems the world is ripping apart at the seams, we can all learn how to survive from those who stare death squarely in the face every day, and we should reach out to each other and bond as a community, rather than hide from the terrors of life at the end of the millennium.” – Jonathan Larson
Larson attended Adelphi University to become an actor but was encouraged by the American composer Stephen Sondheim to become a composer instead. It is said that Larson had assistance establishing the basis for RENT. Although this may be true, Larson dedicated the last seven years of his life to create this musical masterpiece that focuses on the cultural separation of and sense of community among the minority group – the poor. The play was sold out for the five-day performance layout within a day of the tickets being on sale.
Unfortunately, due to an aneurysm from Marfan’s syndrome, Larson died on January 25th, 1996, the night before Rent was supposed to premiere at New York Theatre Workshop in New York. Due to the nature of Larson’s RENT and how well it was received by the public, musicals and plays progressed into socially relevant topics for younger theatregoers. After his death and the premiere of the play, Larson won the Richard Rodgers Studio Production Award from American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Works Cited
“Biography.” IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
“Jonathan Larson.” PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Larson, Jonathan. RENT. Ed. Evelyn McDonnell and Katherine Silberger. New York: William Morrow and, 1997. Print.
Lipsky, David. “Everything Is Rent | Jonathan Larson & Rent.”Everything Is Rent | Jonathan Larson & Rent. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Created By: Jessica H. Macias
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