Rent’s Anthony Rapp Talks Bringing His ‘Vie Boheme’ to the Stage in Without You

Original Rent cast member Anthony Rapp is currently onstage at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in Without You, a one-man show adaptation of his 2006 memoir chronicling his "seasons of love" with Rent (both off-Broadway, on Broadway and in the film) as well as the death of his mother and other major events in his life. “The book just quoted lyrics, but in the show I actually get to sing songs,” Rapp told Broadway.com of bringing his story (and that of Rent's Mark) to a live audience. Without You features songs from Rent's Tony-winning score as well as artists like R.E.M. “The book is 300 pages, but the stage version is more condensed,” Rapp explained. “I tried to make it more conversational so it’s not as literary in moments.”

Rapp began working on the show more then two years ago and has settled into the idea of playing himself onstage. “It was a little surreal at first, but now I’ve had the experience," he says. "It was weird to rehearse scenes of conversations I’ve had in real life, because I’m supposed to be rehearsing them as an actor, but those were things I actually said to my mother. I had to get my head around the idea that I’m responsible for telling a story.”

No surprise here: Rapp’s Rent family has been supportive of his show. Rent’s Tony nominated director Michael Greif was present for the play’s first developmental reading, and original cast members Daphne Rubin-Vega (Mimi) and Fredi Walker (Joanne) showed up for opening night. Rapp continues to tour the country with friend and Rent co-star Adam Pascal (Roger) as well.

Without You runs at the TBG Theatre through October 9, directed by Steve Maler.