IT TICKS, IT BOOMS, IT EXPLODES!
Theatre Palisades has struck gold with its astoundingly entertaining and moving production of Jonathan Larson‘s Tick, Tick… BOOM! Expanding the cast from three to six, director Lindsay Johnson takes what normally feels like a song cycle and turns it into a full-fledged story, upping the emotional resonance of Larson’s already terrific songs. Utilizing an ensemble rich in distinctive voices, this is one of the most satisfying theatrical experiences I’ve had in some time.
For those who don’t know, one of the great heartbreaks of theater history is that Larson, the author and composer of the rock opera Rent, his modern telling of Puccini’s La Bohème, died suddenly at 35 of an aortic aneurysm on Jan. 25, 1996, 10 days before his 36th birthday and the day before the musical’s first preview performance Off-Off-Broadway. Larson never got to see what a huge hit it would be. Thankfully, Rent, while it may be his big triumph, wasn’t his only legacy.
Adapted by David Auburn posthumously from a rock monologue that Larson performed in the early ’90s, this most agreeable parlor musical contains material that can hold its own, maintain interest, resonate, and get laughs on the most limited of production budgets. It touches on self-doubt, life crises, friendship, hilariously doomed relationships, all to the backdrop of New York City during those tragic, midpoint years of the AIDS epidemic. Competent, streamlined tailoring by Auburn makes the hour-and-a-half duration of the musical breeze by. Lin-Manuel Miranda directed the 2021 film adaptation which expanded on this stage version.
The book is semi-autobiographical, according to Larson’s father, which is hardly a surprise since the main character is named Jon and he’s a struggling musical playwright. Jon (Destin Bass) is trying to get attention for his musical named Superbia. We meet him living in New York City in 1990 during his final week of being age 29, dreading his 30th birthday because he feels the number implies about where he “should” have gotten by now (i.e.: not waiting tables as he awaits his big break). His best friend Michael (Anthony Galang) keeps trying to get Jon to downgrade his passion into more of a hobby and come work at his advertising firm, where he can become a financial success instead of barely making ends meet. Meanwhile, Jon’s girlfriend Susan (Bimei Flores) doesn’t want to squelch his dreams but tries to entice him to work on them from someplace nicer than SoHo, like New England. Most of the story, singing, humor, and angst is about Jon’s struggle in recognizing that both of them are right in some ways — and so is he, in staying the course. But choices, in life, must be made and lived with.
Theatre Palisades succeeds within the intimate constraints of community theater. The three leads effectively tap into the essence of the characters, with Ms. Flores blowing me away with her unpretentious, fluttering, soulful vibrato. The indefatigable Bass is ideal, nailing number after number even as Johnson keeps him flying about the stage. It amazes me how many show-stopping, vocal powerhouse numbers are filled with oomph. The likability factor, chemistry, and flexibility of the cast is part of the joy. Charlotte Nevins, Katherine Rogers, Ian Riegler and Peter Miller play other characters perfectly.
Musical Director Alexander Tovar offers exceptionally tight musical direction, and the band (Robbie Simmons, keyboard; Xinqian Li, guitar; Steph LeHane, drums), situated upstage left behind the players, are absolutely hot, but never overpower the singers, aided by Susan Stangl‘s balanced sound design. Sherman Wayne‘s minimal sets and props warmly convey the intimacy intended by the work, and Clayton Collins‘ lights create many different playing areas not provided by the set.
Tick, Tick… BOOM! is a sweet and soulful look at one man’s struggle to make it in the arts. It’s also a poignant reminder of what 1990 was like, as many endured their tenth year of the Reagan/Bush era while those with HIV/AIDS were still years away from hearing the word “cocktail” to give them any sense of hope. Given that context, Larson’s early death, and my own memories of that surreal time, I left positively wrecked.
photos courtesy of Theatre Palisades
Tick, Tick… BOOM!
Theatre Palisades
produced by Martha Hunter and Laura Goldstein
Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades
Fri and Sat at 8; Sun at 2
ends on October 13, 2024
for tickets ($25-$27), call 310.454.1970 or visit Theatre Palisades
free parking available on site and in the surrounding neighborhood
