Jon (Tim Orcutt) and Michael (Patrick MacDonald) get down during a musical number in ‘Tick,Tick…Boom’. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com“Tick, Tick…Boom!” at LALT stole my heart. I wasn’t really expecting it. The tragic story of the death at age 35, of author-composer-lyricist writer Jonathan Larson made me a little scared of this autobiographical musical dramedy, written before the astounding success of “Rent”.
Would it all be tinged with the foreknowledge of what would happen when the story ends? I was also leery it would be a story about the self-absorbed angst of creative gen-X souls from relatively privileged backgrounds. (Okay Bonnie, lighten up.) “Tick, Tick…Boom!” is these things, but it’s a whole lot more. This sprightly production, directed and starred in by Tim Orcutt got me thinking (and singing and dancing).
“Tick, Tick…Boom!” is the story of Jon (Orcutt) a would-be theater composer who has been toiling on his master work, Superbia, for five years. Supporting himself as a waiter, he sees his friends moving past him to make the compromises they feel are demanded of them. His best friend Michael (Patrick MacDonald) leaves acting to become an advertising mogul. His girlfriend Susan (Christine Armenion) wants to move to New England and get out of New York to have a real life with a future. On the verge of turning 30, Jon asks himself if he should continue pursuing his dream to be the next Stephen Sondheim, or is he fooling himself about his chances for success.
On a bare stage, the three actors are joined by four musicians: Yelena Mealy on keyboard, Nick Denissen on guitar, David Rogers, and Wes Hicks alternating on electric bass and Omar Wooten on drums. The role of musical director is being shared between Brian Huysman and Denissen.
It’s the music that makes this show. Those who have seen “Rent” know what to expect from songs—witty, catchy, heartfelt. The three actors all have the strong voices needed to carry off a show that’s about 80 percent musical. The times when the three voices blend while singing different lyrics are especially sweet.
The acting talent on stage is in no short supply. MacDonald and Armenion are terrific in their supporting roles. Armenion’s Susan is warm and spunky. MacDonald is high energy, but touches the heart. Representing the choices Jon is rejecting to follow his dream, they could have been portrayed as shallow. The actors give them depth and legitimacy.
Orcutt, like Larson himself, is starring on stage and backstage as main character and director. (The play was originally a Larson one-man show.) He fills both roles admirably. The interaction of the characters comes off well and the pace is just right. As Jon, he presents a highly talented, frenetic, somewhat self-absorbed man who manages to be a stand-in for all of us. Standing on the brink of life-altering choices, Jon is anyone making the hard choices life presents, and Orcutt is the one that takes us there.
Sound by Nancy Coombs and Paul Lewis worked well for me in the front row. I overheard some from further back say they couldn’t always make out the lyrics over the band, but I experienced a good blending of voice and instruments.
The play is by turns hilarious, heart wrenching and uplifting. It’s done by a great group of actors, musicians and production crew. Everyone over the age of, say 13, will enjoy it. There’s a bit of R-rated dialogue, but not much. Whatever life-choices you’re making, the play will resonate. You’ll love the music. You’ll leave the theater delighted you came.
Tickets for “Tick, Tick…Boom!” are $15 for are $13 for seniors and students $13) at C.B. Fox, Bliss, online at Brown Paper Tickets and at the door.
The play continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There is a special Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. today.
The Los Alamos Little Theater is at 1670 Nectar St.
