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


Chicago Opera Theater Announces Two Premieres and More for 2024-25 Season


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Video: Watch a Trailer For TICK, TICK...BOOM! at George Street Playhouse


An all new trailer has been released for tick, tick...BOOM! at the George Street Playhouse. Performances will run through May 19th. Check out the video here!

Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night of THE GATSBY


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Photos: Jeremy Jordan, Eva Noblezada & the Company of THE GREAT GATSBY Celebrate Opening Night


Welcome to Broadway, old sport! The Great Gatsby has officially opened on Broadway! The show held its opening night last night, April 25 at the Broadway Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the snazzy cast and creative team arrivals here

Photos: The Cast of THE GREAT GATSBY Takes Opening Night Bows


The Great Gatsby has officially opened on Broadway! The show held its opening night last night, April 25 at the Broadway Theatre. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows here!

PlayPenn and Philadelphia Theatre Company To Partner On A Development Workshop Of New Play By Ty Defoe


PlayPenn and Philadelphia Theatre Company collaborate on a development workshop for a new play by acclaimed playwright Ty Defoe.

Review Roundup: THE GREAT GATSBY Opens On Broadway, Starring Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada!


Welcome to the Jazz Age! The new musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby opens on Broadway tonight, starring Jeremy Jordan  and Eva Noblezada! Read the reviews!

Video: Daniel Marconi Talks TICK, TICK... BOOM! at George Street Playhouse


Watch as Daniel Marconi discusses tick, tick... BOOM! at George Street Playhouse. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Interview: THE GREAT GATSBY's Samantha Pauly Talks Originating Another Role on Broadway


Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Samantha Pauly as she discusses starring as Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets!

Lucille Lortel Theatre Presents JAIME LOZANO & THE FAMILIA: SONGS BY AN IMMIGRANT UNPLUGGED In May


Experience a one-night-only concert at Lucille Lortel Theatre featuring JAIME LOZANO & THE FAMILIA: SONGS BY AN IMMIGRANT UNPLUGGED on May 30. Don't miss this unique musical event.

THE GREAT GATSBY Will Release Original Broadway Cast Recording This Summer


The new Broadway musical The Great Gatsby will release its Original Broadway Cast Recording this summer! Learn more about how to preorder the album here!

Broadway Star Bernadette Peters Takes the Stage At Westport Country Playhouse In May


Join Broadway legend Bernadette Peters for an unforgettable night at the Westport Country Playhouse on May 19. Don't miss this special performance by one of Broadway's finest talents.

SUFFS Will Release Original Broadway Cast Recording in June


Suffs will release its Original Broadway Cast Recording on June 14th. The album is now available for pre-order.

Video: Cast of George Street Playhouse's TICK, TICK...BOOM! Performs 'Real Life'


Watch 'Real Life' performed by John Yi, Cathryn Wake & Daniel Marconi from George Street Playhouse's production of tick, tick...BOOM! in the video here!

Photos: First Look at Jeremy Jordan & Eva Noblezada in THE GREAT GATSBY on Broadway


The Great Gatsby is set to open in under a week, on Thursday, April 25 at The Broadway Theatre. Check out a first look at the cast in action here!

PHOTOS: First Look at 9 Works Theatrical's Restaging of RENT


To celebrate its 15th anniversary, 9 Works Theatrical brings back 'Rent,' Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical. This restaging promises a unique theatrical experience, offering a fresh perspective on the beloved classic and placing HIV/AIDS front and center.

Video: Cast of TICK, TICK...BOOM! at George Street Playhouse Previews 30/90


Watch as Daniel Marconi (Jonathan), Cathryn Wake (Susan) and John Yi (Michael) give a special preview performance of 30/90 from Tick, Tick.. Boom! with accompaniment by Andrew David Sotomayor.

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Center REP Announces ARSENIC AND OLD LACE And More for 2024-25 Season Including World Premieres & More


Discover the upcoming 2024-25 season at CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY, featuring two World Premieres, a queer interpretation of a classic, and an EGOT winner's fireside chat. Also, learn about their new audience initiatives.

Larry Owens Debuts THE AMERICAN FOOTBALL MUSICAL at Adelphi


Performer, composer, lyricist and writer Larry Owens will present the world premiere concert debut of his new musical, The American Football Musical, a satire of The Blind Side-esque sports/white savior films, at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Saturday, April 27.

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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