5280 Wasted Seconds
by Shannon Christy
@schristy79
Without You is a show loosely dedicated to Anthony Rapp’s success in the musical Rent. Rent opened in New York in 1994 as Rapp's mother was slowly dying of cancer. We are treated to many songs from Rent and some anecdotal stories of his mother’s struggle but the play repeatedly fails to connect with the audience and it ends up feeling as if we are here to look at Anthony and his pain without being able to identify with him or the events he, like so many, has gone through.
There are instances when the magic of theatre almost works but then fails to do so as when Rapp describes how everyone at first avoids talking with his mother about her disease. He seems to feel there should be more honesty when dealing with a sick loved one. However, instead of digging in, he simply goes back to New York to prepare for the Off-Broadway production of Rent… while leaving us with this thought to carry on our own.
The true pity is that Mr. Rapp is very talented
In the end, the play seems to be more about the loss of Rent than anything else. Instead of treating us to many of the hits from Rent, why not explore the problems with his family, his mother’s character, her idiosyncratic habits, in short her humanity. What you have in fact is two plays in one with neither complete; it does not serve to improve the memory of Rent nor does it serve as a tribute to Rapp's mother. The true pity is that Mr. Rapp is very talented and he has the essence of a compelling story but his insistence on using Rent as a crutch to prevent him from exploring more difficult questions is his downfall. The lighting by Tim Mascall is the only other point of interest because of the use of a mist to create a layered depth.
This is a play about a talented performer showing a painful time and reliving moments from the play that made him famous. If you liked Rent then there will be some nostalgia but if you are going for an in depth introspection of a loved one’s attempt to deal with death, grab Tuesdays with Morrie instead.
Without You continues to January 6
Dear Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ. You obviously did not see the same play Without You in Toronto starring Anthony Rapp. I saw the reaction this play had on not only myself but the entire audience last Sunday evening. He touches on what unfortunately a lot of us have had to deal with more than once so far in our lives and that is the loss of a loved one.
He so exactly expressed what I and many others have experienced. The play was expertly written, the songs touching your soul and the tears that we shed, releasing the pain that we have all experienced with loss.
I spoke to Anothy Rapp after the performance and thanked him for giving us this "gift". His play put into words and song this overwhelming life experience which mirrored my own. It is wonderful to know that there are others out there that have been lucky enough to have the kind of relationship to their mother and that their loss touches and changes your life forever.
Hearing about his experience with Jonathan Larson and the developement of the musical RENT was great.
"Without You" is one of the most amazing songs ever written and this Play was outstanding!
So, sorry....I don't agree with the previous review.
Anthony Rapp is a truly gifted writer, singer and songwriter.....Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Teresa in Toronto, Ontario