The Jonathan Larson Project.

"The Johnathan Larson Project" just maybe the best off Broadway musical this year! The show clicks on all cylinders with fantastic singing, dancing and staging. The show covers the years and songs that Mr. Larson wrote. His life was cut short at 35 years old by an aortic aneurysm; he died one day before "Rent" opened on Broadway.

Larson would write two shows of note: "Tick Tick...Boom" and "Rent". The later would grant him a Pulitzer Prize. As a struggling waiter, Larson never gave up his dream as a song writer. "The Project" celebrates his many songs, from Standalone's, "Superbia";"Rent", as well as Pop and Cabaret tunes.

Throughout the show, Alex Basco Koch's projection design takes us back to the 80's and 90's showing images of New York City. Some of these pertained to the life of Mr. Larson, some were random photos of the city. The show also provides letters from Johnathan to his friends which gives an insight into his thoughts and personality.

The show is 90 minutes long without an intermission. Set solely to his music, the five actors: Adam Chandler Berat,Taylor Iman Jones, Lauren Marcus, Andy Mientus and Jason Tam bring their Broadway creds to the Orpheum Theatre and each actor is sensational. The range of each singer is first rate. The choreography (Byron Easley) compliments the writing, the music as well as the singers; it adds another pithy dimension, giving the show a one-two punch.

As the songs go by, it is the scenic design by Michael Schweikardt, the costume design by Tracy Christensen and the lighting by Shannon Clarke that all add to this special musical. In a economical stage, Schweikardt has the actors moving about on a split level stage. This allows the singers to move about, which keeps the show interesting. The costumes capture the time period perfectly. The audience is treated to a time warp of yesteryear fashion. The lighting is at times carnival like. Clarke hits the stage with romantic, glam as well as industrial lighting at various points throughout the show. This skillful technique brings the musical mood to the forefront. As the songs differ, the lighting does as well and it creates more of a well scripted concert rather than a musical.

Opening with "Greene Street", this warm song about Soho is uplifting. Another 1980's song: "One of These Days" is a dystopian song from "Superbia". "Break Out the Booze" was a humorous rendition as was "Casual Sex, Pizza and Beer". "Out of My Dreams" was a soulful song and one of the few Pop songs (Larson was hoping for commercial success with this song).

"Rent" and "Tick Tick" touched on social political issues of both the 1980's as well as the 90's. "The Vision Thing", "White Male World","The Truth is a Lie" as well as "Iron Mike" were political. From politicians to AIDS, Larson brought to light in his songs the things that bothered him politically. The songs and staging were thankfully not overt in there presentation, rather they just lightly broached on these issues that were prevalent back then.

Jennifer Ashley Tepper who conceived this musical has designed a winner. From the actors to the staging, "The Johnathan Larson Project" is a fun show, and it also educates the audience about just how talented he was. We also get an insight into his life when he wasn't writing great songs.

..............................................................................................................

Johnathan Larson, off Broadway, Obie Awards, Tony Awards, Tick Tick... Boom, Rent, Broadway, Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prize. Lion King, Aladdin, Harry Potter, The Promise, New York City, Top of The Village Gate, Greenwich Street, Soho, Greenwich Village.