Tick, Tick...BOOM!

Show Info

This show is the story of Jon, an aspiring theatre writer living in New York City in 1990. Currently he is living in a pretty awful apartment, working at a diner that he does not like, and watching his best friend and his girlfriend make moves to leave behind the life they all shared together. To make matters worse, his writing career has felt stagnant to him. Although he has an upcoming workshop, his musical has been met with resistsance, his agent ignores him, and he hasn't hit that level of success towards which he's been reaching. As he prepares to reach 30 years of age, Jon is wondering if the dreams he has sought for so hard will actually come true for him. In other words, he feels the clock is ticking. 

About the Author

Jonathan Larson is most known for his ground-breaking musical Rent, which hit Broadway stages in 1996, catapulting him to international fame. This musical, though, is about his life before hitting fame, during the times he struggled in NYC trying to make his theatrical mark. Larson began writing this musical back in 1990 about his struggles. This piece, entitled Boho Days, did receive a workshop and staged reading, but when he shifted attention to Rent, this piece took a backseat. A few months after Rent premiered on Broadway, Larson died unexpectedly from an undiagnosed case of Marfan syndrome. In the years proceeding his death, the unfinished musical was worked on by established playwright David Auburn. The current piece was reconfigured from a rock monologue to a two-act rock musical that featuring the character of Jon and two actors playing all of the other parts. For this production at UIndy, more actors were added to contribute to an ensemble feel for the piece. 

From the Director

Not everyone in the audience will be able to relate to Jon's struggle in the play; he is perched on the edge of turning 30 and worried about his mark and legacy on the theatre world. However, almost everyone has faced drastic changes in their life. Maybe it was a big move, entering college, or beginning a new job. With new things occurring in our lives, there is always indecision about what is next and how those changes will play out. Equally important about what we are heading towards is what we might be leaving behind. This is the somewhat less discussed part of Jon's struggle - what he could behind by moving forward. Throughout the play, we see the relationships in his life become strained. And while new experiences obviously await him, he is anxious about what that will mean for his current reality. So, while not everyone has faced the same circumstances as Jon, almost all of us have faced leaving old things behind and facing new circumstances. This musical is about taking that step and all that may happen from that action. 

I want to thank you for coming to Tick, Tick...Boom! and for supporting UIndy Theatre. If you are interested in more info, check out the following: