Anthony Rapp, who works as both a singer and an actor, first rose to prominence by originating the character Mark Cohen in Jonathan Larson's hit musical Rent. His tenure with the production extended from the off-Broadway premiere through later engagements in Chicago and London, resulting in a shared OBIE award with the remainder of the cast for his stirring performance. Over subsequent years he accumulated screen credits in multiple films, among them Adventures in Babysitting, Dazed and Confused, and Road Trip. In January 2001 he released his solo debut album, Look Around, on the Orchard label. The record drew on an eclectic range of influences, encompassing 1980s artists such as the Cure and New Order, 1990s alt-rock acts including Superchunk and Nirvana, and earlier figures like the Beatles, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin, yielding a musically varied collection. To promote the album Rapp scheduled live appearances at colleges and small clubs.
