Everyone by now has heard Jonathan Larson’s story: years of struggle as a composer-lyricist, big breakthrough with getting his groundbreaking musical Rent mounted off-Broadway, only to die tragically the day of its first preview performance. Others of his songs appeared in the autobiographical show tick…tick…BOOM! which has been appearing regionally.
Now comes The Jonathan Larson Project, a show highlighting forgotten, unrecorded songs from revues, abandoned shows, and stand-alone songs, as well as songs cut from Rent and tick…tick…BOOM! The songs are presented as individual numbers, without an overlying concept or a through-line plot. This makes The Jonathan Larson Project less of a theatre piece and more of a musical revue.
This is not to say that these songs have no merit. Some are light and hilarious, like “Casual Sex, Pizza, and Beer” and “Hosing the Furniture”. Some are deeply romantic, like “Valentine’s Day” and “Love Heals.” And all of them are unfailingly performed by the talented cast — Adam Chandler Berat, Taylor Iman Jones, Lauren Marcus, Andy Mientus, and Jason Tam, as directed by John Simpkins. The show itself is the brainchild of Jennifer Ashley Tepper, the programming director of 54 Below, the cabaret in the basement of Studio 54.
The revelry of Larson’s songs is displayed over a multi-layer set designed by Michael Schweikardt, with projections by Alex Basco Koch and lit by Shannon Clarke. Cynthia Meng conducts a five-piece musical ensemble from a perch high above the stage area.
If you’re looking for a connected musical piece along the lines of Larson’s other works, then The Jonathan Larson Project may not be for you. But if your taste runs more toward well written and performed review or cabaret pieces, then this show is right up your alley. Take a chance on these hidden gems from the talented mind of the composer of Rent and make your way off-Broadway to view The Jonathan Larson Project!
The Jonathan Larson Project is presented at the Orpheum Theatre, 126 Second Avenue in New York through Mar. 30, 2025. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to thejonathanlarsonproject.com.
