Get ready for a sonic blast from the past as 'The Jonathan Larson Project' takes over the Southwark Playhouse, delving into the lesser-known works of the musical genius who brought us 'Rent'. This electrifying revue is like a time capsule, bursting with 18 previously unheard and rarely performed songs that showcase Larson's immense talent. We're talking propulsive piano anthems, fatalistic blues, and upbeat pop numbers – it's a genre-bending ride through the city that never sleeps!
The production, conceived by Jennifer Ashley Tepper, is a treasure trove of material drawn from Larson's extensive archive at the Library of Congress. You'll be swept up in the creative mind of an artist who left us all too soon in 1996, aged just 35. The cast of five – Marcus Collins, Max Harwood, Natalie Kassanga, Michael Mather, and Imelda Warren-Green – deliver powerhouse performances that bring the diverse repertoire to life.
From the vibrant opener 'Greene Street', a youthful ode to New York, to the poignant 'Rhapsody', which reflects on the city's harsher realities, this show is an emotional rollercoaster. You'll be tapping your feet along with the tipsy rhymes of 'Break Out the Booze' one minute and then left breathless by the intense narratives, such as the powerfully reordered 'Valentine's Day'. Michael Mather's performance is a masterclass in physicality.
But it's not just about the music – this show offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and political landscape of 1980s America. Songs like 'The Truth Is a Lie', a 1990 miscellany of misinformation, feel eerily relevant today. It's a poignant reminder that Larson's legacy continues to inspire and provoke long after his passing.