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Chance Theater, Anaheim’s official resident theater company, presents a fresh take of poignant themes, electrifying score, and heartfelt storytelling in Tick, Tick… Boom!, directed by H. Adam Harris. Set in New York circa 1990, this semi-autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the creator of Rent, brings a touching tale of creativity, ambition, and friendship. Jon (Luc Clopton) a young composer navigating the challenges of pursuing his dreams while balancing personal relationships with his girlfriend Susan (Lena Ceja) and best friend Michael (Mario Houle). The relentlessly ticking countdown of his looming 30th birthday pestering over his mind. Jon pressures himself struggling to become a successful musical theater composer like his idol, Stephen Sondheim.
Tick, Tick… Boom! offers glimpses of the themes, music, and ideas Larson would later expand upon in his legendary and iconic musical, Rent. After Larson’s untimely death, playwright David Auburn adapted Tick, Tick… Boom! from a one-man show to its intimate three-actor format, preserving Larson’s vision. In 2021, Lin-Manuel Miranda directed a critically acclaimed film adaptation of the musical starring Andrew Garfield.
This honorable prelude and after mint to the success and popularity of the musical Rent speaks more volumes to those who are familar with that production. New audiences walking in without the previous knowledge context to the dramatic rock opera or its creator, may have a harder and longer time warming up to this musical of a struggling artist. A girlfriend wanting to get married and move out of the city.
A best friend selling out of a musical theater dream for a career making big bucks. Recognizable elements that provide the building blocks to Rent reach its peak at the very end when everything comes into perspective with Jon’s fate. Life events and choices like these may seem unrelated and question what it all means until the finale.
The Chance Theater conceptualized a refreshing take to a relatively intimate story with a small cast. Such a wide stage is usually reserved for bigger musical productions of wider caliber. But the creative direction utilized its space well with its set design. A dingy apartment, messy workspace, couch for car scenes, and brick-layered rooftop all appearing, closing in, and opening up space as Jon’s mind expands and contracts different moments of his life. As if his sense of time and place merging into one and falling apart with the ticking of descending countdown.
An open love letter to any artist struggling with their craft. A self-appointed time table may be more relatable for young people in their 20’s and especially in the 1990s. Today’s sensibilities and technological progress may be out of reach and touch with certain audience members. But the show is deliberately left open to appearing incomplete and accessible. Some lessons can only be learned and earned through hardship and not all creators reap the benefits of their success.
The three performers do a respectable and honorable service to the spiritual story and creative mentality of Johnathan Larson. Luc Clopton and Lena Ceja pull much expertise from their respective roles from the Chance Theater’s production of Rent a couple seasons ago. Luc’s intense body and facial expressions translates vividly onstage. Lena and Mario Houle display their acting range with the different characters Jon finds himself with undoubtedly separate from their principle counterparts. A personal favorite amongst the musical numbers remains to be the ironically comical telephone exchange between Jon and Susan in “Therapy”.
Tick, Tick… Boom is playing at the Chance Theater in Anaheim, CA on select times from February 1 to February 23, 2025. The show’s running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. For more information including ticket sales, visit www.chancetheater.com or call (888) 455-4212.
