Jonathan Larson Project Casts New Talent
Southwark Playhouse Borough announced Georgie Butler and Edward Flynn Haddon joining "The Jonathan Larson Project" following open auditions that saw over 600 performers. This project celebrates the late creator of "Rent" and highlights London's vibrant theater scene's commitment to nurturing new voices.
The project was conceived by theater historian Jennifer Ashley Tepper, who delved into Jonathan Larson's extensive archives at the Library of Congress. After discovering hundreds of cassette tapes and boxes of unproduced work, Tepper curated a selection of over 20 of Larson's unheard songs into a musical revue. The show was first presented in a concert format at Feinstein's/54 Below in 2018 before being developed into a fully staged off-Broadway production. The songs featured in "The Jonathan Larson Project" are drawn from a variety of his works, including pieces from unproduced musicals like the dystopian-themed *Superbia* and an adaptation of George Orwell's *1984*. The revue also includes numbers cut from his iconic musicals *Rent* and *tick, tick... BOOM!*, offering a glimpse into his creative and revision process. Larson's unearthed songs tackle themes that were hallmarks of his work and remain relevant today, including social justice, environmental activism, LGBTQ+ rights, and the struggles of a young artist. Numbers like "White Male World" confront toxic masculinity, while others explore censorship and fake news, showcasing a political consciousness that ran through his writing. The Southwark Playhouse has a long-standing reputation as one of London's foremost fringe theatres, dedicated to showcasing new writing and emerging artists since its founding in 1993. The venue is known for giving musicals a second chance and often features stripped-down, intimate revivals, making it a fitting home for a project that reveals a different side of a celebrated composer. Beyond his produced shows, Larson's legacy is actively fostered by the Jonathan Larson Grants, administered by the American Theatre Wing. These unrestricted grants are awarded annually to emerging musical theatre composers, lyricists, and librettists to support their creative endeavors. Notable recipients of the Jonathan Larson Grants include successful writers like Dave Malloy (*Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812*), the songwriting duo Pasek and Paul (*Dear Evan Hansen*, *La La Land*), and Michael R. Jackson (*A Strange Loop*). The grants have proven to be a significant indicator of future talent in the musical theatre landscape.
