Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Musical 'Rent' in Queereaders

From the Bookshelf of Queereaders…

Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Musical 'Rent'

Anthony Rapp

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Sep 16, 2010 Nancy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: plays-theatre, gay, made-me-cry, bio-and-memoirs, cancer, hiv-aids, shelf-inflicted, outlaw-reviews, library-books, favorites

Cross-posted at and at

I鈥檝e wanted to read this for a while, but not before seeing at least the movie version of Rent. Off to the library I went and borrowed a copy of both film and book. I鈥檓 certain I would have appreciated this story, loosely based on Puccini's La Boh猫me, a lot more in its original version as a play, and had I been about 30 years younger. Back then I probably would have been able to empathize with a cast of talentless characters who wanted to succ Cross-posted at and at

I鈥檝e wanted to read this for a while, but not before seeing at least the movie version of Rent. Off to the library I went and borrowed a copy of both film and book. I鈥檓 certain I would have appreciated this story, loosely based on Puccini's La Boh猫me, a lot more in its original version as a play, and had I been about 30 years younger. Back then I probably would have been able to empathize with a cast of talentless characters who wanted to succeed as artists, but who could barely keep a roof over their heads. Now, I just look at them with disdain and wish they would find a job.

If the characters were likable, I may have been able to forgive their flaws. They were miserable, whiny, self-indulgent, irresponsible and lazy. The story took place in New York, but nothing in the film reminded me of the city. The songs, while sung with passion, were loud and repetitive, and by the film鈥檚 conclusion, I could barely remember a single song or any of the lyrics. There are other films that deal with drug addiction, homosexuality, poverty and AIDS much more sensitively. Sadly, this was not one of them.

Even though I didn鈥檛 care for Rent, I enjoyed reading of the hard work, love, passion and joy that went into making the play.

鈥淐hills shot up my arms and spine and the back of my head. I had never heard a song like it, especially in a musical; there was a directness and a simplicity and a groove to it that were thrillingly new to my ears. I felt everyone in the room lean forward into the music.鈥�

Anthony Rapp, who played Mark Cohen in the play and film, wrote a very powerful, touching and honest memoir detailing his theater experiences, his relationships with cast members, family and friends, his sexuality, and his mother鈥檚 battle with cancer. Even if you haven鈥檛 seen, or are not a fan of Rent, this engrossing memoir is well worth reading. Anthony writes so candidly, openly and personally about his life and work, that I often felt I was sitting across a table from him rather than reading his book.

Very well done.

...more

49 likes · Like · see review