Jonathan Larson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonathan Larson
Born	Jonathan David Larson (1960-02-04)February 4, 1960 White Plains, New York, U.S.
Died	January 25, 1996(1996-01-25) (aged 35) Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Playwright composer
Alma mater	Adelphi University
Period	1982–1996
Notable works	Rent (1996) Tick, Tick... Boom! (2001)
Notable awards	Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1996) for Rent Tony Award for Best Musical (1996) for Rent Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (1996) for Rent Tony Award for Best Original Score (1996) for Rent Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical (1996) for Rent Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical (1996) for Rent Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics (1996) for Rent

Jonathan David Larson (February 4, 1960 – January 25, 1996) was an American composer and playwright. He created amazing musicals, including the famous rock musical Rent. After he passed away, he received many important awards for Rent, like three Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Jonathan Larson was born in White Plains, New York, on February 4, 1960. His parents, Allan and Nanette Larson, encouraged his love for the performing arts from a young age.

Discovering Music and Theatre

Jonathan played the trumpet and tuba and sang in his school choir. He also took piano lessons. He loved rock musicians like Elton John and The Beatles. He also admired classic musical theatre composers, especially Stephen Sondheim. In high school, he acted in many plays at White Plains High School.

College Years and First Compositions

After graduating in 1978, Jonathan went to Adelphi University on a scholarship. He studied acting and performed in many plays. During college, he started writing music for student shows. He even wrote the music for a musical called Libro de Buen Amor.

Life in New York City

After college, Jonathan moved to Lower Manhattan in New York City. He lived with roommates and worked as a waiter at the Moondance Diner on weekends. During the week, he focused on writing and composing musicals. At the diner, he met Jesse L. Martin, who later starred in Rent. Jonathan and his friends lived simply, often facing challenges with money.

Developing a Creative Career

Before creating Rent, Jonathan Larson worked on several other theatre projects. These early works helped him grow as a writer and composer.

First Musicals and Awards

One of his first musicals was Sacrimmoralinority, which he co-wrote in 1981. It was later renamed Saved! - An Immoral Musical on the Moral Majority. This show won an award from ASCAP.

Superbia and tick, tick... BOOM!

Between 1983 and 1990, Jonathan wrote Superbia. This musical was a futuristic rock story. It won the Richard Rodgers Production Award, but it was never fully produced. His next work was an autobiographical show called tick, tick... BOOM!. This show was about his feelings after Superbia wasn't produced. It was performed off-Broadway and later became a full stage musical after his death.

Collaborations and Other Works

Jonathan also wrote music for other projects. He wrote for Sesame Street and for children's book cassettes. He even wrote songs for a children's video he helped create. He also performed in a musical called Billy Bishop Goes to War with his friend Roger Bart.

Mentorship from Stephen Sondheim

Jonathan looked up to Stephen Sondheim, a famous musical theatre composer. He often sent his work to Sondheim for feedback. Sondheim supported Jonathan and even wrote letters of recommendation for him. Jonathan later won the Stephen Sondheim Award.

Rent - A Groundbreaking Musical

Rent is Jonathan Larson's most famous work. It tells the story of young artists struggling in New York City.

The Idea Behind Rent

The idea for Rent came from playwright Billy Aronson in 1988. He wanted to update the famous opera La bohème to modern New York. In 1989, Jonathan and Billy started working together on the project. Jonathan suggested setting the story in Lower Manhattan, where he lived.

Bringing the Story to Life

Jonathan wanted to write about his own experiences in the city. He asked Billy if he could make Rent his own project, and Billy agreed. They decided to set the musical in Alphabet City in the East Village.

Premiere and Success

Rent had its first reading in 1993. The full show was ready to premiere Off-Broadway in 1996. Tragically, Jonathan Larson passed away the day before the first preview performance. Despite this, the cast decided to perform the show as planned. The audience and Jonathan's family loved it.

Rent quickly became a huge success. It played to sold-out crowds and eventually moved to Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre. It opened on Broadway on April 29, 1996.

Awards for Rent

For his work on Rent, Jonathan Larson received many awards after his death. These included the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards: for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. He also won several Drama Desk Awards and other honors.

Jonathan Larson's Passing

Jonathan Larson died unexpectedly on January 25, 1996, the morning of Rent's first preview performance. He passed away from a sudden heart condition. He had experienced chest pains and other symptoms before, but doctors had not found the cause. Medical experts later concluded that if his condition had been diagnosed and treated, he would have survived.

Lasting Impact and Legacy

Jonathan Larson's work, especially Rent, continues to inspire people around the world.

Rent on Stage and Screen

Rent ran on Broadway for many years, from 1996 to 2008. It is one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. The musical has also toured across the United States and many other countries. A film version of Rent was released in 2005.

Supporting New Artists

After Jonathan's death, his family and friends created the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation. This foundation gave money to artists, especially musical theatre writers, to help them create new works. Today, the American Theatre Wing continues this legacy through the Jonathan Larson Grants. These grants provide financial support to talented new writers and composers.

Preserving His Work

In 2003, Jonathan Larson's work was given to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. This collection includes his many musicals, songs, and other projects, both produced and unproduced. This helps preserve his creative legacy for future generations.

Recent Performances and Tributes

Rent was revived Off-Broadway in 2011. In 2018, a concert called The Jonathan Larson Project featured some of his previously unheard songs. This show allowed audiences to discover more of his amazing music.

Jonathan Larson Grants

The Jonathan Larson Grants honor new musical theater writers and composers. They provide money to help artists develop their creative work.

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Larson para niños