"Without You": Anthony Rapp's Memoir

I was first introduced to Anthony Rapp via the musical "Rent." Anthony brought the role of Mark, the sensitive and pained cinematographer, into our hearts. Prior to his groundbreaking role in Rent on Broadway, Anthony Rapp performed in other musicals, movies and even worked as a barista in a New York City Starbucks before being case in Rent, appearing in the movie adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning play and writing his memoir: Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Musical Rent.

I was, quite frankly, very surprised to find that Mr. Rapp had penned anything, let alone a memoir, and not because I didn't believe that he had the ability or the talent to do so. This memoir has demonstrated that he has more than enough drive, ability and talent to accomplish that task. I thought that, as an avid fan of the musical Rent, I would have most certainly have heard that such a memoir had been written before accidentally stumbling upon it at my local independent bookstore. I remember snatching the book off the shelf as if it were the last copy ever anywhere (in spite of the fact that there were at least half a dozen other copies beneath the one in my grubby hands) and running to the cashier. I think that I began reading it almost immediately upon my return home and probably would have started it in the car, if I weren't afraid of getting into a car accident.

Anthony's memoir describes his life acting in Rent, from the moment that he auditioned during the very early stages, through the opening nights, and, very briefly, during the initial stages of shooting the film version. It also goes into the painfully private world of Anthony's personal relationships with his family (most notably his mother, who is dying, and his brother) and with his boyfriends and girlfriends. It was surprisingly unassuming and brutally honest, without being smarmy. The prose was simple and beautiful in its simplicity. It was as if Anthony was laying it out there and was simply requesting that you take it at face value. There didn't appear to be any ulterior motive behind the story, although towards the end of the book, Anthony began to come across as a whiny, self-absorbed, self-indulgent and ultimately, a very difficult person to deal with generally. Generally speaking though, I enjoyed this book tremendously and would recommend it to anyone who is dealing with the loss of someone close to them, trying to come out with regards to their sexuality or for any devoted Rent fan.