Tick, Tick...Boom!

Ken Chamberland, Parris Greaves and Laura Mae Nason. Photo by Vincent Perri.

You know that feeling like everyone is growing up or moving on and you’re not sure if you’re following your dream or being left behind? That’s the theme at the centre of tick, tick…BOOM!, an autobiographical show by Jonathan Larson, now playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts in a new production presented by Angelwalk Theatre, Toronto's only professional theatre dedicated to producing Off-Broadway style musical theatre. The show follows Larson’s journey from composing by day and waiting tables at night, to what would eventually lead to RENT. 

The musical tells the story of Jon (Parris Greaves), a composer just shy of his 30th birthday and questioning his life, while comparing himself to his best friend/roommate Michael (Ken Chamberland), who has abandoned acting for a successful career in corporate America, and his girlfriend Susan (Laura Mae Nason) a professional dancer who is ready for a quieter life outside of New York City. Whether you are still in your 20s or they are behind you (or farther behind you than you’d like to admit), this show is relatable at any age.

The minimal set and small cast fill the theatre with the life of New York City in the 1990s, and more characters than would be expected from the three-person cast. All three deliver strong performances and stunning harmonies. Greaves is high energy for the entire 90-minute production, while Chamerland and Nason take on secondary characters, each as individual as the last.

The audience accompanies the characters on an emotional ride through self-reflection ("Johnny Can’t Decide"), laugh out loud numbers ("Sunday" and "Sugar"), and even a few tearjerkers. tick, tick…BOOM! is a must-see.

tick, tick…BOOM! runs until October 6th in the Studio Theatre at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Visit angelwalk.ca for more information and to buy tickets.