Rare Jonathan Larson songs, but too little Jonathan Larson
⭐⭐
What's it about?
The Jonathan Larson Project brings together a collection of rarely heard songs written by Jonathan Larson, many of which were cut from or never made it into his best-known works. Framed by archive footage and projections celebrating Larson's legacy, the production aims to offer audiences a glimpse into his material that remained largely unheard.
This European premiere marks 30 years since the composer's death and celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the creator of Rent and tick, tick... BOOM!
What we loved
For anyone fascinated by Jonathan Larson's work, the concept is certainly appealing. The opening footage, showing the excitement surrounding Rent as it prepared to open, is arguably the production's most engaging moment, immediately reminding audiences of Larson's extraordinary impact on musical theatre.
The cast perform with commitment and enthusiasm throughout, clearly passionate about bringing this lesser-known material to the stage.
Anything we'd change?
The biggest disappointment is that the production tells us remarkably little about Jonathan Larson himself. Rather than exploring the man behind the music, it simply presents songs that were cut from or never made it into his shows. A more biographical approach—sharing the stories behind the songs, Larson's creative journey and the context behind each piece—would have made for a far richer and more engaging evening.
As a sung-through musical revue, there is naturally no book to provide a narrative. That isn't a flaw in itself, but it does place greater responsibility on the songs, performances and staging to convey emotion and create dramatic momentum. Here, some of that emotional impact is lost.
Unfortunately, the sound design does the show few favours. The vocals sounded muffled and lacked clarity, making it difficult to appreciate the lyrics. For a production that is almost entirely sung through, this significantly undermined the experience.
While the company performs with commitment and enthusiasm and features a group of very accomplished actors, the performances are mixed. Some cast members deliver confident vocals, while others appear to struggle, and it is not always convincing that they are singing from genuine lived experience.
Those hoping to leave with a deeper understanding of the man behind Rent may find themselves frustrated.
Who would enjoy it?
Dedicated Jonathan Larson fans and musical theatre completists may appreciate the opportunity to hear songs that have remained largely unheard.
Who created it?
This European premiere is directed by John Simpkins, who also helmed the acclaimed Off-Broadway production, with the revue conceived by Jennifer Ashley Tepper and featuring music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Musical direction is by Livi Van Warmelo, with choreography by Taylor Walker. The production features set design by Nate Bertone, costume design by Jean Gray, lighting design by Sam Biondolillo and sound design by Alistair Penman.
Verdict
The premise promises a fascinating exploration of one of musical theatre's most influential writers, but the production never quite fulfils that potential. Without offering meaningful insight into Jonathan Larson's life or creative journey, and hampered by poor sound quality and an absence of dramatic structure, The Jonathan Larson Project ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.