Featured Daniel A Weiss and Anthony Rapp
Anthony Rapp’s “Without You” is a show that offers a personal and introspective look into Rapp’s life and his experiences in the hit musical “Rent,” which he starred in during its original Broadway run. It also deals with losing his friend Jonathan Larson and his mother’s terminal battle with Cancer.
“Without You” is not just for fans of “Rent” or musical theater in general. Many reviewers have praised Rapp’s honesty and vulnerability in the show, as well as his skill as a performer and storyteller. The story is relatable and moving, and the show has been praised for its universal themes of Love, loss, and the search for identity. Critics have also praised the show’s musical numbers, which are brought to life by an incredible live band led by multi-talented musical director and orchestrator, Daniel A. Weiss.
Weiss has had a distinguished career in the theater, including the Broadway productions of RENT, Taboo (Boy George), Brooklyn, Hair, and Duncan Sheik’s Whisper House. He has also composed and arranged music for Genya Ravan’s Rock and Roll Refugee, Happily After Tonight (Mateo Moreno), and together with Anthony Rapp, wrote and arranged songs for the show Dedalus Lounge by playwright Gary Duggan.
He has toured with various artists, including Let It Be, Joan Osborne, Disney On Broadway, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Jeffrey Gaines, Alexis P Suter, and Slam Alan. He recently recorded Hammond Organ for the Goo Goo Dolls’ upcoming album release. He scored two movies, the rom-com: Ageless Love and a documentary featuring the photography by Bev Grant.
Weiss joined Without You as a keyboard player in 2007 and soon after became the production’s Musical Director and has been with the show ever since. He has contributed to its growth and evolution. Over the years, the show has undergone significant changes in terms of its presentation, including new songs, scene music, effects, projections, lighting, and dialogue that have given it a new level of emotional impact that the audiences get to experience in the current production at NYC’s New World Stage.
His relationship with RENT goes back to when he was the Associate Conductor for the first seven years of the show. He worked alongside Anthony Rapp, and much of the story that Anthony tells in Without You is also his story.
When asked what made him want to be a professional musician As a young child, he said he was captivated by the magic of music and its ability to evoke emotions and connect people from all walks of life. “As I began to explore my musical abilities, I realized that creating and performing music was my passion and calling. The joy and satisfaction I felt from expressing myself through music was unlike anything else, and I knew deep down that I wanted to pursue it as a career.” For Weiss, music was not just a hobby but a way of life, and he was determined to do whatever it took to become a professional, following that dream that kept him motivated and focused. “It was as important to me as eating or breathing, and I felt deprived if I wasn’t doing it. Though I was interested in lots of other things, I couldn’t fathom doing anything every day of my life. Except for music.”
As a composer and orchestrator, he pulls inspiration from all musical periods and genres, including blues, rock, and jazz, as well as musical theater composers such as Sondheim, Lin Manuel Miranda, Jason Robert Brown, and Duncan Sheik.
During his professional career, Weiss has had the opportunity to work with many artists in many different arenas. Still, he considers RENT to be a personal highlight explaining, “I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had many wonderful highlights, and they’re still coming. But RENT was life-changing. At that point, I had never done any musical theater before it, so I learned a lot of new skills. RENT was and still is a conduit to traveling, meeting, and working with many insanely talented artists and musicians and making some lifelong friends.”
Offering advice to aspiring theatrical musicians, Weiss explains that it is necessary that being a “musician” comes first. He recommends working on your technique and reading, playing with real people, in your house, garage, and on gigs. JAM, play every gig, work on your time, and be versatile because you never know what’s going to come at you. “
In addition to performing the show eight times a week at New World Stages, there is an occasional surprise guest that joins Weiss and Rapp on stage to perform; recent guests have included:
James Monroe Inglehart, Jaime Lee Kirchner, Julia Macchio, Ms. Peppermint, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jenn Colella, Ann Harada and Freddi Walker Brown.
Without You has recently announced an extension and will be at New World Stages through June 11, 2023. Click here for tickets.
