The intimacy of the Michael Pilch Theatre was ideal for this skinnied down, superficially introspective musical and was greatly appreciated by the full house in attendance. Tick...Tick...BOOM! is set in the Soho of 90s New York City, focussing on the existential dread felt by Jonathan Larso (Laurentian Jungkamp), as he hangs on the cusp of his 30th birthday. Questioning his life decisions and future prospects, the “tick… tick … BOOM” litany constantly circulates in his head as he continues to prevaricate between creativity and responsibility. A vicious circle we have all experienced at one time or another, if not in such a dramatic or entertaining way.
Jonathan is an aspiring composer of musicals, living with his best friend Michael (portrayed by Noah Rudder with grace and elan), a calm contrast to the frantic Jon. He is also dating Susan; Katie Gill gives a classic and accomplished musical theatre performance here as clearly evidenced in the number “Green Green Dress”. This triumvirate dally, verbally dance and musically enunciate their hopes and ambitions, loves and losses throughout the musical – interchanging roles literally and metaphorically – an ensemble cast working together instinctively giving context and perspective to everyone’s performances. Although this is clearly a play centred around Jonathan’s angst, a constant theme of the play is the challenging of this self-absorbed view by his friends, family, agent and circumstances.
From the opening of the performance words and music at times blend into a fantastically rousing song such as “30/90”, and at other times fracture and isolate into Jonathan’s breaking of the fourth wall. with Dashiell Hammett-like asides to the enthralled audience or the plaintive solo of “Why” bewailing the motivation to pursue his art. And all this is driven by the 3-piece band’s lyricism.The keyboards, bass and guitar are central to the whole musical performance weaving sound and rhythm in support of the libretto. At times they subtly underline Jonathan’s moments of quiet reflection; at other times they offer a driving counter-point in the more upbeat and uplifting songs i.e. the Sondheim tribute “Sunday” with praise to Musical Director, Sam Edwards. This musical aptitude gave the three performers confidence which grew through this opening night’s performance giving greater depth and clarity to the songs as the show progressed, finishing with a ringing rendition of “Louder than Words”.
As, I must confess, someone who was 30 back in the 90s, some of the cast’s dilemmas and decisions are instantly recognisable, as are the levels of Jonathan’s anxiety which ramp up during the show as his 30th birthday - and the showcase of his musical “Superbia” - draws near. And all of us of more mature in years recognise the single point – a telephone call from his musical hero - at which all of life, love and universal perspective change seemingly arbitrarily on a whim. But for the Director, Alexandra Russell, the 1990s will be history, which makes this interpretation even more impressive. In this case Jonathan’s life changes for the better as some of his hopes and aspirations are fulfilled, yet even this is tinged with sadness as his best friend, Michael, moves out and moves on. as does his girlfriend Alison. Michael abandons his acting aspirations for the pragmatism of a good job and Alison compromises her dancing ambitions to accept a teaching role out of NY. These changes stand as illuminating counter-points to Jonathan’s life choices and aspirations as highlighted in the song “Johnny Can’t Decide”.
A musical about musicals could be self-indulgent, but for the cast and crew this iteration of Tick… Tick… BOOM is clearly a love letter to the musical itself and to the creative soul of the composer, Jonathan Larson, at its very heart. Throughout there is a constant switch between comedy and pathos as Jonathan tries to reconcile creativity with responsibility. Given that Rent was the ultimate outcome of this mental anguish we can all be glad that Jonathan pursued his creative dreams, but would you? To explore these ideas further I can heartily recommend the ongoing run at the Michael Pilch Theatre.