Cape May Stage Welcomes RENT's Anthony Rapp, 7/2

Cape May Stage, South Jersey's premiere Equity theatre, is thrilled to launch another stellar season of their Second Stage Broadway Series with acclaimed star of stage and screen, Anthony Rapp in Anthony Rapp LIVE. On Monday, July 2nd at 8:00 p.m., Rapp brings his singular brand of cabaret to the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in beautiful downtown Cape May.

Anthony Rapp has been acting and singing professionally since he was nine years old. He is best known for originating the role of "Mark Cohen" in Jonathan Larson's Tony Award-winning rock opera, Rent, for which he shared an OBIE Award with the rest of the cast. He reprised his role in Chris Columbus' film version, reuniting with other members of the original cast. Rapp recently visited the role once more with original cast member Adam Pascal in the Rent Tour.

Rapp has an extensive theatre background: his Broadway credits include Precious Sons, a revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and John Guare's Six Degrees of Separation. Film credits include 17 Photos of Isabelle, Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, Road Trip, and A Beautiful Mind (SAG Award nomination for ensemble). TV credits include The Lazarus Man, The X-Files, The Beach Boys: An American Family, Kidnapped, and Law & Order: SVU. In 2000, he released his debut album, Look Around.

Also an author, Rapp's memoir, Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent – about his struggle to balance the demands of life in the theatre with his responsibility to his family during his mother's battle with cancer – was a New York Times bestseller and is currently in its sixth paperback printing (after nine hardcover printings). He recently adapted the book into a one-man show entitled Without You, which he has performed in NYC, Korea and on stages throughout the country. Rapp brings his show to the Edinburgh Fringe and then London in Fall 2012.

Rapp is joined by his musical director, Daniel A. Weiss. Weiss recently completed arrangements and recordings of his original songs co-written with Rapp for Dedalus Lounge by playwright Gary Duggin. He also tours frequently with vocalist Neshama Carlebach and is the Music Director/Arranger for Jane Burbank's new theatrical production: A Baby Boomer's Tale: The World According To Jane.

Part of Cape May Stage's acclaimed Second Stage Broadway Series, Anthony Rapp LIVE will run Monday, July 2nd at 8:00 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $50, and include an after party at the Wine Bar at the Washington Inn, Cape May's new hip, relaxing, contemporary meeting place at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets. There, you'll have a chance to mingle with Mr. Rapp, while enjoying delicious complimentary finger foods and a well-stocked cash bar. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org.

Cape May Stage's Second Stage Series is presented through the gracious support of Chris and Dave Clemans.