RIALTO CHATTER: Rapp Hints At Creative Changes for RENT Tour

In an interview with the Cleveland based entertainment online magazine Spangler.com, RENT star Anthony Rapp gives a few hints at the creative changed that the tour has made due to the inspired rehearsals the cast had with the production's director, Michael Greif. Greif directed the original RENT from its very first workshop and was inspired to embrace some of the organic moments that come out of the rehearsal process.

Rapp mention the fact that there are two "rather significant" changes to the production. One is in the way the show opens, the other - well, Rapp did not comment as he didn't want to spoil it for audiences.

And while new viewers will have no idea that anything is different, Rapp says returning audience members will be surprised - and possibly moved by the second alteration.

"It doesn't change the fabric of the show, but it's exciting to be a part of something that can change creatively," he told the Spangler interviewer.

Rapp also discusses his return to RENT and other projects he is working on, to read the very informative article click here.

Anthony Rapp originated the role of "Mark Cohen" in the Tony Award-winning rock opera RENT. RENT explores a struggle with life, love and AIDS, and the impact each has on our society. Rapp shared an OBIE (Off-Broadway) Award with the rest of the cast for the performance. After taking the show from Off-Broadway to Broadway, Chicago to London, Rapp reprised his role in the 2005 Sony Pictures major motion picture adaptation. RENT ended its incredibly successful 12 year Broadway run in September of 2008.

Originally from Chicago, Rapp currently resides in New York City.

Anthony Rapp has been an actor since he was six years old when he was cast as the Cowardly Lion in a summer camp production of The Wizard of Oz.

"Lots and lots and lots" of years later, he's appeared in many other plays, musicals, films, and television shows. Favorites include: the Broadway productions Precious Sons (for which he received an Outer Critics Circle Award), Six Degrees of Separation, and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; the films Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century, Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director, and Scaring the Fish; and the television shows "The X-Files", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", and "Kidnapped". But above all else, he's best known for creating the role of Mark Cohen in Jonathan Larson's landmark rock opera Rent. He took the show from Off-Broadway to Broadway to Chicago to London, and finally reprised his role in the 2005 Sony Pictures feature film. He wrote a book about his experiences on and offstage during the original run of Rent, entitled Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent, which was released in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller.

Photo by Pablo Pimienta.