Overview
Synopsis
Tick, Tick... Boom!, an intimate, autobiographical pop/rock musical from the creator of Rent, tells the story of Jon, a struggling composer whose life seems to be going nowhere. About to turn 30 and still waiting tables for a living, Jon is desperately scared that he may never “make it” on Broadway. The pressure to break out or give up only grows as Jon’s girlfriend, Susan, announces that she wants to get married and move out of the city, and his best friend, Michael, quits acting and finds huge financial success as a Madison Avenue corporate executive. Jon’s new musical SUPERBIA has a great workshop but no prospects, and as time ticks by Jon wonders if maybe his friends are right, and it’s time to throw in the towel. Created by Jonathan Larson as a deeply personal peek into the life of an artist, Tick, Tick... Boom! follows one man’s journey to define success on his own terms.
Show Information
Context
Tick…Tick…Boom! is a semi-autobiographical musical based on the life and early career of composer Jonathan Larson. Jonathan himself performed in the original workshop at Second Stage Theater Off-Broadway in September of 1990. The show was originally titled Boho Days and was a one-man show. After the Second Stage workshop Jonathan made some alterations and ultimately changed the title to Tick…Tick…Boom!. This show was classified as a “rock monologue” which was the first of its kind,
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The show opens to a black stage. A ticking can be heard in the background symbolizing the increasing anxiety Jon feels as he speeds towards his 30th birthday. Jon is a promising young composer who feels like he needs to make something of his life before he hits this next big birthday. The only problem is his agent won't return his calls, he can barely afford his rent, and he is coming up on one of the biggest creative milestones he's had to date. He wonders if time would ever slow down, and if
to read the plot for Tick, Tick... Boom! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
Songs
Act I
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A concept musical is a type of musical structured around a central idea, theme, or message rather than a straightforward linear plot. Songs, characters, and scenes are often arranged to explore this unifying concept from different perspectives. This style allows for greater experimentation and can blend satire, social commentary, or abstract storytelling.
Meta-theatre refers to drama that draws attention to itself as a play, reminding audiences that they are watching a performance. This may include breaking the fourth wall, plays-within-plays, or showing the mechanics of stagecraft. By highlighting its own theatricality, meta-theatre often creates humor, irony, or deeper reflection.
A design approach that uses simple sets and costumes to shift focus onto performers and ideas. The bare stage, gray suits, and chain curtain in American Utopia reflect this minimalist aesthetic, emphasizing movement and music over spectacle.
A rock musical is a form of musical theatre that incorporates the rhythms, instrumentation, and energy of rock-and-roll into its score. Emerging in the late 1960s with shows like Hair, rock musicals often bring a contemporary, rebellious edge to the stage. They blend theatrical storytelling with the raw power of popular music to attract younger and more diverse audiences.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Themes
The Struggle of the Artist: At its core,
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from Tick, Tick... Boom! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Quote Analysis
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