By James V. Ruocco
Composer/lyricist Jonathan Larson died in January,1996 just four months before the opening of his first major Broadway musical "Rent," which as everyone in theatre knows became a cult phenomenon through the subsequent decades that followed.
Prior to "Rent" - in 1989, to be exact - Larson, on the verge of turning 30 - wrote "tick, tick...Boom!" an autobiographical musical (originally conceived as a one-man show) that portrayed the life of a struggling, talented composer on the verge of a musical breakthrough, but deeply concerned that no one would produce or accept his work and that he would remain a failure who was "flat broke" and didn't have "a fucking penny."
Ironically, the musical never got a theatrical run until 2001, five years after Larson's death. Expanded to a three-character musical, it finally opened at the Jane Street Theater in Greenwich Village with a reworked script by David Auburn who played homage to the original work and Larson's insightful, philosophy about life itself - "Stop running around, wake up and start living."
The musical itself, which chronicles Larson's life prior to the "Rent" experience, is awash with color, vibe and excitement in yet another important theatrical go-round, this time, in the immersive, up-close-and-personal environs of the Brookfield Theater for the Arts.
It ticks.
It excites.
It frames.
It bends.
It aspires.
It does Larson proud.
At Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, "tick, tick...Boom!" is being staged by Beth Bonnabeau who brought welcomed anarchy, rebellion and epic volume to her award-winning musical dramatization of Green Day's "American Idiot" a few seasons back at the intimate Brookfield-based venue. Then and now, attention to detail, mixed with a strong sense of compassion for both the dramatic and musical execution of the material, are integral to the emotional core and the shape of her riveting interpretation.
Here, Bonnabeau is in her element. Her assured direction harkens moments of rhythmic freedom, expressive leeway, conveyed staple, ardent breathing room and in-the-moment fluidity. With this form of creativity in store, the famed early work of Jonathan Larson is solid, fluid and focused, barely stopping to catch a breath. Story arcs are believably cemented. The angst of a talented young composer on the brink of discovery is rooted with steadied involvement. The correlating events of the composer's life are given gusts of rhythm and flutter. And finally, the push-pull limits and aspirations of Larson's story strike a lasting chord that lingers, most engagingly.
As originally conceived by Jonathan Larson (composer and lyricist), "tick, tick...Boom!" is told through a series of 13 songs which portray the personal and professional struggles of the lead male character Jon who, as the musical progresses, hopes to find the right art form to showcase his edgy, complicated productions. They are: "30/90," "Green Green Dress," "Johnny Can't Decide," "Sunday," "No More," "Therapy," "Real Life," "Sugar," "See Her Smile," "Come to Your Senses," "Why!" "30/90 (reprise)" and "Louder Than Words."
Whereas the 2021 Netflix adaptation of "tick, tick...Boom!" included bits and pieces of commentary and musical interludes that suggested the early beginnings of "Rent," the stage version does not include any elements, lyrics or orchestral sounds reminiscent of "Rent." Here, the rough edges of Larson's early days are celebrated with an eclectic, pop-rock musical score that is tuneful, plot-evolving, complex and celebratory.
Musical director Sarah Fay, at the keyboards alongside the onstage band of John Hoddinott (guitar), Christian Peragine (drums) and Josh Rodis (bass) addresses the "tick, tick...Boom!" score with fiery command, subtlety and imagination. Freshly expressed and played to the fullest, the music's vibrant tempos, riffs and beats are delivered with refreshing alertness and nudge, thus, making Larson's work resonate and sparkle with a satisfying conversational flow and intimate sound that's exactly right for this particular form of musical storytelling.
As musical director, Fay also brings out a full-bodied, taut sound and connection from her trio of performers, all of whom melodically connect with the back-and-forth emotional frenzy of the music, the lyrics and the intended meaning of every song they are asked to perform.
"tick, tick...Boom!" stars David Anctil as John, Laura Majidian as Susan and Bennett Glenn Cognato as Michael.
In the role of Jon, Anctil amplifies the anxiety faced by Larson as he struggles for the big theatrical break in a reality that may or may not happen. It's a centered, determined character portrait framed in believable ambition, dedication and honesty. Majidian is exactly right for the part of Larson's girlfriend Susan. She also sells the character's big musical number "Come to Your Senses" with genuine, exciting musical bravado. As Jon's gay best friend Michael, who ditches acting for a high-profile advertising gig, Cognato crafts a dynamic performance voiced with strongness, vulnerability and truth.
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