Twenty years after their debut in Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award-winning musical RENT, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp are entertaining their diehard fans. On October 16th, these two stars hit the Ridgefield Playhouse stage to a full house.
Adam’s set featured music that inspired him. Songs like Stings “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” Radiohead's "Creep" and the screamer The Who’s “Love Reign O'er Me.” Intermingled between these amazing renditions, Adam told entertaining stories about his life including how people often confuse him with his former co-star and friend Anthony Rapp. He explains how delighted he was to get a gig narrating a Discovery Channel special on the hippopotamus especially considering his Long Island accent. Only to find out years later that the producers actually meant to hire “the other guy.” His warm and endearing personality complemented his stellar performance including the iconic Rent ballad, “One Song, Glory.”
After a brief intermission, Anthony took the stage to entertain the audience with beautiful original songs and some rock hits like Bowie’s “Heroes.” Anthony spoke of his mother’s brave battle with cancer during his first year starring in “Rent.” In his original song, “Visits to You,” his heart-wrenchingly lyrics describe his visits. “Is this another time, Or is this the last time, How much more time, When will time take away my visits to you.” Rapp spoke fondly of his mother revealing how she wanted him to sing “Without You” at her funeral service.
The evening concluded with Rapp and Pascal singing Rent favorites like “What You Own,” “No Day But Today” and “Seasons of Love.” They are heading out to the West Coast to finish their tour. Anthony Rapp’s NY Times Bestseller book “Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent” is available in various formats. Adam Pascal is set to join Broadway's Something Rotten as Will Shakespeare on November 7th.
A truly amazing evening of love, laughter and friendship especially for the "RENTheads" in the audience. Broadway fans will be treated to another concert in the Broadway and Cabaret Series at Ridgefield Playhouse with the legend, Chita Rivera. The two-time Tony Award winner will recreate signature moments from her legendary career. Visit the Ridgefield Playhouse for more information about upcoming events, concerts, movies and live performances.
Photo Credit: Antonia Carey