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Rent: A genetically blessed final bow
For more than 15 years, Anthony Rapp has been living, breathing and singing the musical Rent – he starred in the original workshop version in New York in 1994, followed by more than 5,000 performances with the Broadway production, then wrote a book called Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent before being cast in the feature film adaptation in 2005.
Now, Rapp is coming to Toronto and stepping into the role of Mark Cohen for one last time as the Mirvish family stages this Tony award-winning production in its final tour leg, with performances beginning tomorrow.
He'll be joined by fellow Rent veteran Adam Pascal, who plays Mark's roommate and friend.
"There's a really great rush of energy around it again," Rapp says, "just like in the old days. Some people were concerned that we'd look too old for the male leads, but we didn't. It simply worked out that, genetically, we've maintained a youthful enough appearance."
It's also worked out that younger audiences are continually drawn to both the music and themes in Rent, which has retained its popularity despite the cynicism of an older generation.
"It's really interesting to see how these little kids are now standing in line for autographs," Rapp says. "They probably respond to the music, which is almost like a rock concert, but also feel connected to the characters and feel the love in the show."
That said, even the star of the show will admit there are aspects of the musical that feel dated.
"It's kind of a period piece," says Rapp, "in that ATZ isn't the main treatment for AIDS now – people were much more likely to die sooner with HIV than they tend to now. But politically, what still hasn't changed is that if you don't have good health care, you won't have access to these drugs. And the larger themes, like coming together in face of crisis, finding hope and community, are still pertinent today. People have also told us that the current economic situation is making it resonate even more powerfully."
Over the years, some details here and there have been tweaked or refined – either to give the story a broader appeal or make it seem more contemporary – but as Rapp points out, its success has been built on themes of rebellion (which appeals to the teenagers) and community (which appeals to adults), meaning it could likely be staged for another 15 years and still maintain strong box-office numbers.
But after this upcoming stint in Toronto, Rapp and the other original cast members will definitely be taking a break.
"I think it's over now, for good," Rapp says. "I can't imagine any other scenario in which it would come around again."
