April 16, 2009: Volume 76, Number 3

"Rent" musical star Anthony Rapp to speak Monday

Anthony Rapp, star of the acclaimed musical, “Rent,” and an advocate for AIDS, LGBT and poverty issues, will speak Monday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.

Rapp will speak on “Diversity and Being True to Yourself.” The talk, part of the Presidential Forum on Diversity series, is free and open to the public.

Rapp is best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen in the Tony Award-winning rock opera “Rent,” which tells the story of struggling young artists and musicians in New York City during the early days of the AIDS crisis. The play was inspired by Puccini’s opera, “La Bohème.”

He is also the author of the 2006 bestseller, “Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical 'Rent.'" The novel details Rapp’s experiences during "Rent’s" original run and his personal struggle with losing his mother to cancer.

At Union, Rapp will explore the role that the 12-year Broadway hit has played in bringing LGBT, AIDS and poverty issues into the national spotlight. He also will describe the loss of his friend and “Rent” playwright, Jonathan Larson, and his mother’s struggles.

Rapp’s other credits include numerous Broadway, shows, major motion pictures and television series. He serves on the board of the non-profit organization “Friends In Deed,” which provides emotional support for anyone dealing with a diagnosis of AIDS, cancer or other life-threatening physical illnesses.

A reception and book signing will follow Rapp’s talk.

After his appearance at Union, Rapp is scheduled to return to Schenectady later this summer during “Rent’s” run at Proctors Theatre July 28 to Aug. 2. Tickets for those shows go on sale Friday, May 1.

For ticket information, call (518) 346-6204.

<< Previous Story People in the news

Next Story >> Novelist and physicist Alan...