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
- Book
- Jonathan Larson , David Auburn
- Music
- Jonathan Larson
- Lyrics
- Jonathan Larson
- Conceived By
- Jonathan Larson
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2001
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- new york city, 1991
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult Characters, Small Cast
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,
to read the context for Tick, Tick... Boom! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
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
- 30/90 — Company
- Green Green Dress — Jon, Susan
- Johnny Can't Decide — Company
- Sunday — Company
- No More — Michael, Jon
- Therapy — Jon, Susan
- Real Life — Company
- Sugar — Company
- See Her Smile — Company
- Superbia Intro
- Come to Your Senses — Karessa (Susan)
- Why — Jon
- 30/90 Reprise - Jon
- Louder Than Words — Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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