Anthony Rapp

Singer/actor Anthony Rapp is probably best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen in Jonathan Larson's hit musical Rent (performing in the show from its off-Broadway debut to Chicago and London), for which Rapp shared an OBIE award with the rest of the cast for his stirring performance. In addition to appearances in several movies over the years (Adventures in Babysitting, Dazed and Confused, Road Trip, etc.), Rapp issued his solo debut recording, Look Around, in January of 2001 on the Orchard label. Picking from a melting pot of influences (such '80s acts as the Cure and New Order, '90s alt-rockers Superchunk and Nirvana, as well as the Beatles, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin), Rapp's debut proved to be quite varied musically, as he supported the debut's release with appearances at colleges and small clubs. ~ Greg Prato