5-star Anthony Rapp Live in Concert at St. James Studio

Star of stage and screen Anthony Rapp is currently performing his solo show Anthony Rapp: Live in Concert in the studio at St James Theatre. The show is running for 2 weeks, the last day being Saturday 17th December . The show has been programmed to play alongside the 20th Anniversary production of Rent The Musical which is playing in the theatre from 8th December to 28th January. My advice would be GO AND SEE BOTH!

Those of you, like me, who know and love Rent the musical, will be excited to see original cast member Anthony Rapp back in the UK.

Anthony was last in London in 2012 performing his 5* show Without You. I was fortunate enough to see this show when it played at The Menier Chocolate Factory and have very fond memories of the production. When this show came up to review, I knew I just had to go and see it.

For this show, Anthony is accompanied by long-standing friend Daniel A Weiss. Daniel is also a member of the original Rent Band. He is also the Musical Director for this show; there is a special chemistry between these two, they are perfectly in sync. Anthony is also joined by “local London talent” Tim Dullaway on Bass and John Clark on Drums. Anthony Jokes it’s good to have locals in the show when he is from the colonies!

The intimate gig begins with the REM number that changed Anthony’s life – His audition song for Rent, it was ‘Losing My Religion’ that secured him the part of Mark Cohen in the mid-90s. He then goes on to sing a number of songs spanning musical theatre, including Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Once, If/Then, Charlie Brown, American Idiot, and Hamilton. He mixes these number in with Rock Music greats such as Radiohead’s Creep and Crowded House numbers. There is also a fusant of his own material – emotive and personal numbers he has written about being in love, losing his mother and being a stalker! Anthony also treats the audience to some songs from Rent, some that the character of Mark sings in the production, some belonging to other characters from the musical, however, Anthony accompanies these with personal anecdotes .

There is no doubt in my mind that Anthony Rapp is a powerful storyteller who can evoke powerful emotions through his singing voice ; I had tears in my eyes as I listened to him sing ‘Without You’, a massive grin, as he sang ‘Happiness’ from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and the uncontrollable urge to get up and dance and clap along to ‘Seasons of Love’. Thankfully other audience members had this too so I wasn’t dancing on my own in the auditorium.

All in all the set list is perfect for a fan such as me, I absolutely love Anthony’s voice, his tone and intonation are genuine music to my ears. I could listen to this man sing the phone book!! The venue is intimate and allows you to get up close and personal with Anthony. The show is a celebration of his voice and his style of music performance, compared to his 2012 production Without You which was more of a personal journey into his life events and less of a concert.

As a fan of theatre, especially the style of musical theatre influenced by Jonathan Larson it is great to be able to witness a performer who has held a part in originating shows including Rent, and If/Then. For the show I attended Anthony received a well-deserved standing ovation, I hope more people get along to this show and take advantage of the fact London is hosting one Broadway’s stars.

Review by Faye Stockley

Anthony Rapp, original star of the smash-hit musical RENT brings his solo concert to London. Celebrating 20 years since the original production with an intimate evening of songs and stories that have shaped his life since then.

Join Anthony for an incredible night of live music, joined by musical director Daniel A. Weiss. Featuring hit songs from Broadway and beyond, alongside iconic numbers from RENT.

Anthony Rapp is one of Broadway’s most celebrated performers (Broadway’s RENT, If/Then, Six Degrees of Separation, You’ re a Good Man Charlie Brown). He was last seen in London in 2012 with his smash hit show Without You (Menier Chocolate Factory – 5 stars, The Times). This is a very rare opportunity to see him perform in London, up close and personal in the St. James Studio.

5 – 17 December 2016
Buy Tickets for Anthony Rapp – Live in Concert
Anthony Rapp – Live in Concert
https://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/