Jonathan Larson Headshot

Jonathan Larson

Date of Death: January 25, 1996 (35)

Birth Place: Mount Vernon, New York, USA

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Jonathan Larson BIO

Jonathan Larson received the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for RENT. He also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1994 Richard Rodgers Award for RENT and twice received The Gilman & Gonzales-Falla Theatre Foundation's Comendation Award. In 1989 he was granted the Stephen Sondheim Award from American Music Theatre Festival, where he contributed to the musical "Sitting on the Edge of the Future". In 1988 he won the Richard Rodgers Development Grant for his rock musical "Superbia", which was staged at Playwrights Horizon. He composed the score for the musical "J.P. Morgan Saves the Nation", which was presented by En Garde Arts in 1995. Mr. Larson performed his rock monologue "tick, tick... BOOM!" at Second Stage Theatre, The Village Gate and New York Theatre Workshop. In addition to scoring and song writing for "Sesame Street", he created music for a number fo children's book-cassettes, including Steven Spielberg's "An American Tail" and "Land Before Time". Other film scores include work for Rolling Stones magazine publisher Jann Wenner. He conceived, directed and wrote four original songs for "Away We Go!", a musical video for children. RENT, his rock opera based on "La Boheme", had its world premiere on February 13, 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop. Mr. Larson died unexpedtedly of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, ten days before his 36th birthday.
The Jonathan Larson Grant was established in his name and is awarded to musical theatre composers, lyricists, and librettists, or writing teams, early in their career, to support artistic endeavors and safeguard long-term music writing careers.
"The Jonathan Larson Project," to be released in early 2019, features Nick Blaemire (tick tick BOOM, Found, Godspell), Lauren Marcus (Be More Chill, Beatsville, Company), Andy Mientus (NBC's "Smash," Spring Awakening, Les Miserables), Krysta Rodriguez (Spring Awakening, First Date, The Addams Family), and George Salazar (Be More Chill, The Lightning Thief, tick tick BOOM).
The show features the music of the late composer Jonathan Larson, who wrote Rent and tick tick BOOM, the former an iconic Broadway landmark and the latter a beloved musical gem. The Jonathan Larson Project is an evening of Jonathan's unheard work featuring songs from never-produced shows like 1984 and Superbia; songs that were cut from Rent and tick tick BOOM; songs written for theatrical revues and songs written for the radio; songs about politics and love and New York City; songs never before publicly performed or recorded.

Jonathan Larson Productions

 
[West End, 2016] [Replacement]
Book, Music & Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
Book

Writing

Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist

Jonathan Larson Movies

Rent
[ 2005 ] music and lyrics by
tick, tick... BOOM!
[ 2021 ] music and lyrics, score by

Jonathan Larson Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 1999 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Jonathan Larson, Rent

Drama Desk Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Jonathan Larson, Rent


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1996 - Best Musical

Jonathan Larson, Rent


winner
Obie Awards - 1996 - Special Citations for Composer/Writer

Jonathan Larson, Rent


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1996 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Jonathan Larson, Rent


winner
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Book of a Musical

Jonathan Larson, Rent


winner
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Jonathan Larson, Rent

Jonathan Larson Videos

Jonathan Larson News


Arden Theatre Company Announces RENT And More for 2024/25 Season


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Wagner College Theatre's Stanley Drama Award to Return in 2025


The Stanley Drama Award, administered by Wagner College Theatre, is undergoing changes to its application process for better accessibility.

Alex Boniello, Jordan Dobson & More to Star in RENT in Japan


Alex Boniello & Jordan Dobson will star in Rent in Japan! Learn more about the production and learn how to purchase tickets.

Shayok Misha Chowdhury and Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig Recieve Whiting Awards For Drama


This year's recipients in the category of Drama for the Whiting Awards are Shayok Misha Chowdhury and Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig. 

Jelani Remy, Emily Skeggs & More to Star in THE APPLE BOYS Industry Reading


Jelani Remy, Emily Skeggs and more will star in an industry reading of the new musical THE APPLE BOYS. Learn more about the show!

Video: First Look at Theatre Raleigh's TICK, TICK… BOOM! Directed By Original Cast Member Amy Spanger


Get a first look at Theatre Raleigh's first MainStage show of the 2024 season now on stage - Tick, Tick...Boom! The production is Directed by original cast member, Broadway veteran, Amy Spanger!

BWW Q&A: Leslie Odom, Jr. on Performing At at Ridgefield Playhouse


BroadwayWorld chatted with Leslie Odom, Jr. about his upcoming performance at  Ridgefield Playhouse on April 18th, 2024.

Broadway's Next Hit Musical to Present THE PHONY AWARDS At 54 Below


Catch the exciting event, THE PHONY AWARDS, presented by Broadway's Next Hit Musical at 54 Below. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!

Tennessee Williams St. Louis Returns With 9th Annual Festival This August


Tennessee Williams St. Louis will return to year-round programming with its 9th Annual Festival, running August 8-18.

MEET ME WHERE I AM Receives Distribution Deal With Gravitas Ventures


Meet Me Where I Am explores the intricacies of grief, dissecting its stages and offering profound insights into the dynamics of support during loss. The documentary presents a diverse array of perspectives, notably featuring acclaimed actor Anthony Rapp who provides an intimate glimpse into the real Jonathan Larson and the Tony Award-winning Broadway production RENT. Watch the trailer here!

Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga Will Lead STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS in LA and on Broadway


Center Theatre Group (CTG) announced today the North American premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters (Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun) and Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Here Lies Love), and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne (Swan Lake, My Fair Lady), playing at the Ahmanson Theatre from February 8—March 9, 2025. 

Joe Iconis and Lauren Marcus Welcome Their First Child


Be More Chill composer Joe Iconis and writer/actress Lauren Marcus have welcomed their first child!

SC New Play Festival to Present Works From Gwon, Grays, Cabaret from Boykin, and More


The South Carolina New Play Festival has announced the 3rd annual festival. It will take place over four days, starting on Thursday, August 8, and will feature a wide range of musicals, plays, town halls, an outdoor variety stage, and will culminate in a Cabaret featuring Tony-nominee Phillip Boykin (Hadestown) on August 11.  

Review: ANTHONY RAPP'S WITHOUT YOU Looks at the Joy and Sadness in RENT Star's Life


What did our critic think of ANTHONY RAPP'S WITHOUT YOU at Calderwood Pavilion At Boston Center For The Arts?

Photos: See Robi Hager, Angel Sigala & Elena Camp in TICK...TICK... BOOM! At Theatre Horizon


Check out photos of Tick... Tick... BOOM! at Theatre Horizon.

Theatre Horizon's TICK, TICK…BOOM! Adds Additional Performance


Due to popular demand, Theatre Horizon's star-studded production of tick, tick...BOOM!, composed by the late Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning composer of Rent, is adding an additional performance.

Photos: Hillary Clinton and Lin-Manuel Miranda Host Biden Fundraiser at SUFFS


On Wednesday April 3, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Lin-Manuel Miranda hosted a fundraiser at new Broadway musical Suffs to support President Biden’s campaign. Check out photos here!

Southern Plains Productions Reveals 2024 Season


Oklahoma City arts-production company Southern Plains Productions has announced its 2024 season, which includes a pair of Pulitzer Prize-recognized stories. Learn more about the lineup here!

Cast Set for TICK, TICK...BOOM! at George Street Playhouse


George Street Playhouse has revealed the complete cast and creative team for tick, tick…BOOM!. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Full Casts & Creative Teams Set for PIPELINE FESTIVAL at WP Theater


WP Theater has revealed the full casts and teams for the fifth biennial Pipeline Festival. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Jonathan Larson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Jonathan Larson written?

Jonathan Larson has written 2 shows including Rent (Bookwriter), tick, tick... BOOM! (Bookwriter).

What awards has Jonathan Larson been nominated for?

Jonathan Larson has been nominated for several awards for his work on the musical Rent. These include the American Express Award for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards, Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Special Citations for Composer/Writer at the Obie Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards.

What awards has Jonathan Larson won?

Jonathan Larson has won several awards for the musical Rent. These include the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Special Citations for Composer/Writer from the Obie Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Best Book of a Musical award from the Tony Awards, and the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre award from the Tony Awards.

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