tick, tick … Boom
⊆ October 22nd, 2007 by Debbie Jackson | ˜-
Tick, tick…Boom! -
By Jonathan Larson
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Directed by Matt Gardiner
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Produced by MetroStage
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Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson
The drama of turning thirty-years old - there’s something about leaving the safety nest of twenty-something, twenty anything, but thirty, according to Jon is the “boom,” in the title, and not in the good sense, more like a catastrophe. Adding insult to injury is seeing the material success of his best friend, Michael who’s got the car, the house, and the fancy clothes. But Michael relinquished being an actor and got a “real job.” Choices were made. That’s what grown-ups do, make choices and live with them.
Building a musical on adolescent fantasy wishes to have it all is risky business. Jon’s interior turmoil about this rite of passage would be as unbearable to us as to him were it not for the genuinely sweet portrayal of the character by Stephen Gregory Smith, assisted by the dynamic voices and stage presence of Felicia Curry as his love interest and Matt Pearson as Mike, the best friend, and music by Jonathan Larson that rocks and melts your heart on a dime.
Also, it was a rather pleasant change to watch a guy deal with the equivalent of a screaming clock-even if more sociological than biological-the angst and underlying waves of fear, questions of self-worth, and doubt are all still very real, and Jon felt every bit of it. Another neat feature is that the story was based solidly in 1990, things seemed so simple then before the current war of the worlds, yet Larson’s penetrating lyrics relay the sense of loss and foreboding even then, with the nation just entering the Persian Gulf in the final years of Bush I. It seemed so long ago like it was another century, well, I guess it was, and the first song smacks us right there, with him turning 30 in 1990.
Plus, Larson’s music rocks. The red-hot band, music director is Derek Bowley, pulsates to the drumbeat and rocks the house at every opportunity. Larson has been said to have brought rock to Broadway with his musical Rent, which paved the way for so many others, the latest being Spring Awakening. The thrusting rhythms, the wailing guitar solos, the head banging beat-all the basic elements of the School of Rock are there, packaged in a storyline about a regular guy with soaring dreams. What’s not to love?
Director/choreographer Matthew Gardiner knows his way around a stage. The characters weave in and out around each other nonstop. That’s where Curry gets to truly strut her stuff and shake what her Mama gave her -girlfriend is Hot. Her incredible vocals are a perfect match for the music, which makes her and Stephen Gregory Smith a delightful pair.
Smith has the toughest musical role with notes that span the register in all directions and tonalities. Along with effective music renditions, he offers a picture-perfect interpretation of the character, earnest, kind of wandering, unsure and unsettled, but in relentless pursuit of his dream. All the singers get kudos for handling the songs– Larson’s score isn’t easy, with its share of offset rhythms, staccato even, with patches of Sondheim-like atonality. There are, in fact, endearing and deferential references to the great composer throughout. That some sections tip directly in Sondheim’s direction is the ultimate testament of the protégé’s respect and adoration for the notoriously inaccessible musical genius.
Filling out the trio is Matt Pearson, wonderfully cast as the friend Michael who also handles the music easily, moving with silky smooth gracefulness, especially in that gorgeous Armani looking silk suit that rachets up the sizzle factor as much as Curry’s shimmying in her “Green, Green Dress,” costume design by Sash Ludwig-Siegel. Talk about a crowd pleaser.
Amidst the fun, the back story about the creator of Rent is a real life tear-jerker in that Larson died so young, age 35, of an undiagnosed heart condition just hours before the scheduled opening of Rent-which went on to make musical history in 1996. Tick, Tick, Boom, while not a perfect musical, packs a lot of heart and creativity as an homage to an extremely talented artist whose short life is a reminder to cherish the moments of our own.
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Running Time: 1:30 no intermission
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Where: MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA
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When: Thru November 25th. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 8pm; Sunday 3:00 & 7pm.
Tickets: $35-$40
Info: call 800-494-8497 or consult the website.
To hear Joel Markowitz’ interview with the cast, click here.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Finally this show is getting the credit it deserves… I saw the production in previews and absolutely loved it. Stephen is a revelation in the role of John and Felicia Curry is nothing short of remarkable. And when she sings “Come to Your Senses,” all I can say is if this girl isn’t nominated for this role, a crime has been comitted.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Great Review! Saw the show this past week and it is a stunning production. And I’ll have to echo John B. Felicia’s “Come To Your Senses” may be the most thrilling experience I’ve ever had in the theatre. Worth the price of the ticket alone.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
She is a star, I keep telling her.
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I totally agree with the other Felicia’s performance was really remarkable!
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:10 pm
This production is amazing! I hope everyone has the chance to see it. The actor’s are all wonderful. I agree with the comments about “Come to Your Senses” this song gave me chills. I can’t say enough about the staging, Matthew Gardiner is going to be a name we hear for a long long time! I can’t wait to see his next show.
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I was very moved by this show. The performances were extremely strong. The show’s various design aspects were successful as well. Much has been said about Felicia’s “Come to Your Senses,” which was extraordinary. But I have to say as well that Stephen’s performance as his character listened to that song was riveting. What marvelous acting work that was so simple and so moving as he listened to the central question on the piece echoed over and over in his head. His face and body were so amazingly expressive. This moment alone is worth seeing the show for.
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:38 pm
He is a STAR! I keep telling him! Thank you all so much for your comments and support. We sincerely appreciate it!
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Well, of course, I agree with all of the above. The production is amazing and the Stephen, Felicia and Matt are brilliantly cast (!) and director Matt G.’s direction is so so smart and so fabulous. And they are all so YOUNG. But as the mature voice of reason who is OVER 30, I will say I have been so surprised at how much resonance this show has for all ages. The young audience members are blown away by the story, the music, the rock beat, but our older audiences are experiencing the story on another highly emotional level and they are loving it as well. Turning 30 is NOT the only time in one’s life one makes choices, takes chances, and questions everything. This is truly a universal story as Jonathan Larson intended it to be. And everyone should see it.
And finally, MetroStage has now officially entered the 21st century, and we have a myspacepage thanks to Matt Gardiner. Check out http://www.myspace.com/metrostageboom for some great photos, music and info about the production.
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:27 pm
This was an easy musical. Nothing intensely deep. For me, on the day I saw it, this was a good thing. It was something anyone could relate to. “Tick” was short and sweet. Simple. Sometimes sad, sometimes not, and other times it was just………life, where stuff happens, or doesn’t. Poor Jon agonized over soon becoming 30, assessing where he was in life, and where he wanted to be. I found myself thinking, “He’ll get over the turning 30 thing, and find something else to agonize over.” That’s what happens for the most part, but HE doen’t know that, yet. Jon’s energy and tenacity would make him a survivor. The Michael character was admirable as well, as he announces he is ill, yet choses to live life to its fullest. All of the characters you cared about. I wanted things to turn out well for all of them. I really enjoyed the singing most when they sang in duets or as a trio. Some of my favorite songs: Johnny Can’t Decide, Sunday, Sugar (Jon did not want it known he was a Twinkies man I liked the way SGS played it), Real Life, and Why. Felicia Curry was wonderful with all those characters she played, especially as Jon’s agent. The band — Great!!
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
A misleading headline in the Post could not have affected a play less deserving of such negativity. The cast of three gives an electric performance, and Stephen, with the depth and breadth of his talent, should not be picking up dog poop to pay his bills. Get another agent!
November 21st, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Just wanted to let everyone know that tick,tick…BOOM! has extended till December 2nd due to incredible word of mouth and increasing sales. Please tell your friends and keep spreading the word, and thank you for all of your wonderful comments. They mean more than you could know!
tick, tick…BOOM! at Metro Stage
Now till DECEMBER 2nd!!!