Review: Anthony Rapp – Without You, Underbelly Bristo Square

There are many hurdles to overcome when producing a new musical. The launch of Rent, which we now know to be a much-loved smash, turned into a real-life “the show must go on” story when its writer Jonathan Larson died suddenly the night before it was due to open in New York. ***

Fans of his rock opera rewrite of La Boheme will relish the opportunity to get an insider perspective from original cast member Anthony Rapp in his new one-man-and-his-band musical memoir Without You. But having never seen a production myself, I kept defaulting to my closest reference point – the merciless Team America spoof (“Everyone has Aids – Aids! Aids! Aids!”).

Despite the sincerity of Rapp’s elegy, not just for Larson but for his own mother who was battling cancer while he was in rehearsals for Rent, this wallow in pathos can get pretty sappy. Misery loves accompaniment and it comes in the form of would-be poignant piano interludes, snippets of songs from Rent and a thin scraping of originals in the same sentimental vein. If that works for you, you may well be on your feet by the end, like many audience members at the performance I attended.

Until 26 August. Today, 10:30pm.