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Jonathan Larson Biography (1960-1996)

Born in February, 1960, in White Plains, NY; died of an aortic aneurism, January 25, 1996, in New York, NY; son of Allan and Nanette Larson. Career: Composer, lyricist, and playwright. Also worked as a waiter. Awards, Honors: Richard Rodgers Studio Production Award, American Academy of Arts and Letters, 1994, Pulitzer Prize for drama, 1996, Antoinette Perry Awards, best score and best book for a musical, 1996, Obie Award, outstanding book, musical, and lyrics, Village Voice, and Drama Desk Awards, best book of amusical, best music, and best lyrics, all for Rent; Richard Rodgers development grant; Stephen Sondheim Award, American Music Theatre Festival; Commendation Award, Gilman and Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Foundation.

Nationality

American

Gender

Male

Occupation

Composer, lyricist, playwright

Birth Details

February, 1960

White Plains, New York, United States

Death Details

January 25, 1996

New York, New York, United States

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Television Work
• Wrote songs for Sesame Street, PBS.
• Film Work
• Composer of the score for the film adaptation of Rent.
• RECORDINGS
• Albums
• Rent, Uni/Dream Work Records, 1996
• Videotapes
• Songwriter for the videotape Away We Go!
• WRITINGS
• Composer, A Darker Purpose, Naked Angels Theatre, New York City, 1991
• Composer, A Midsummer Night's Dream, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Drew University, Madison, 1991
• Playwright, composer, and lyricist, Rent, New York Theatre Workshop, New York City, 1994, 1996, then Nederlander Theatre, New York Ciyt, 1996
• Composer, J. P. Morgan Saves the Nation, New York City production,1995
• Also author of Superbia, performed in a workshop at Playwrights Horizons Theatre, New York City; and a rock monologue, Tick, Tick.Boom!,performed at the New York Theater Workshop.

Further Reference

Obituaries and Other Sources

Periodicals

• Entertainment Weekly, June 14, 1996, p. 39
• New Republic, April 22, 1996, pp. 29-31.
• Newsweek, May 13, 1996, pp. 54-59.
• New Yorker, February 19, 1996, pp. 94-96.
• New York Times, January 26, 1996, p. B9; section 2, pp. 5, 20. February 11, 1996
• Rolling Stone, May 16, 1996, pp. 54-58.*