Biography of Rovin Jay and Jonathan Larson - Research Paper Example

Biography of Jonathan Larson Jonathan Larson was an American based artist born in New York. His parents, Allan and Nanette loved music and theater. In elementary school, he took piano lessons and by the time he was joining high school he was already an expert. He won a full scholarship and joined the acting conservatory at Adelphi University. In School, he studied the theater of Bertolt Brecht and Peter Brook; his musical inspirations were the Beatles, prince and Jesus Christ superstar. He drew motivation from Stephen Sondheim who became his adviser.

After graduation, he performed in clubs and composed songs in the version of Rudyard Kiplings (Jungle Books).Though disappointed he believe he was the future of Americas musical. He wrote an autobiography, Tick Tick to express his disappointment. Billy Aronson a playwright collaborated with Jonathan on updating la Boh’eme a show that was later named Rent. They also wrote three songs together before separating. The Rent show was relevant to his generation and incorporated gays, those who are straight, battling with AIDS and loneliness.

Alongside he also did other things, he wrote a revue about teen issues, produced a video for children called Away We Go. He won Richard Rodgers grant for Rent in 1994 and at the same time the New York theater workshop agreed to mount a studio production for him. He quit his waiter job and worked with his producers, project director Michael Greif, and theater artistic Jim Nicola. Shortly thereafter the show was cast and rehearsals began. Unfortunately, Larson died before his show could pick up.

The show gained a lot of publicity and was transferred to Broadway. The show has won many awards including the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Four Tonys (Larson page 59)Biography of Rovin Jay There is little information provided about Robin jay, however he an American based producer of rent and an Actor at Knotts Berry Farm. After rent moved to Broadway production it won Tony Award but the production closed soon after. The achievement of the show however led to several foreign productions.

Later on the show moved to motion picture in which most of the early cast members were included. Among them were Director Rovin Jay, Choregrapher Sonya Randall and Music Director Brian Sherick. He acted as the Samaritan in a Christmas Carol, and Narrator 1 in the Gift of the Magi at the world famous Bird Cage Theatre. For eight years, he was the actor of Disneyland Resort, and in 2009 he performed as Naphtali the calypso singing brother and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Larson 24). For four months, he featured in American Tales and Legends, and Island of The Blue Dolphins.

At the Arizona Broadway Theater, Robin played part in little shop of horrors and Aint Misbehavin. He later joined moonlight stage production where he was given a role in the film Dreamgirls. Later on Robin joined Phoenix Theater and starred in the Lucky Star Film. Robin performed in summer theater festivals, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Music Man and Fiddler on the Roof. He has also a vast knowledge in entertainment, singing and dance.Work citedLarson, Jonathan. Rent: the complete book and lyrics of the Broadway musical.

New York, NY: Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2008. Print.Larson, Jonathan. Rent (Songbook): Movie Vocal Selection.Chicago: Hal Leonard, 2005. Print