Customer Reviews

Tick, Tick... Boom! (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Most people will first see this play, or listen to the CD, because its Jonathan Larson' work just prior to Rent. But after one listen, they will quickly realize that Tick Tick Boom stands on its own as an awesome work of musical theatre. Its a musical with a message - one that became all the more meaningful after this week's tragic events.
Larson wrote the music, book and lyrics. The work is largely autobiographical, and asks many typical "coming of age" type questions. But when his stage persona notes that his generation has never faced a depression, never had a war, little did he know how the events of 11 September would change that forever - truly this generation's wake-up call. Coincidental that this CD was released the same day.
One of the most amazing things about the show is how much music three singers and a stage band of four players can make. The sheer volume of sound; the diversty of styles; the range of emotions makes you think there are three times the number of musicians. Yet incredibly, its just three terriibly talented performers and four amazingly talented musicians.
My favourite singer is Amy Spanger, who can also be heard
on the 1999 revival recording of "Kiss Me Kate". Her solo number "Come to Your Senses" is phenominal, starting out quiet and reflextive, and growing in strength to the song's clarion last notes. She partners Raul Esparanza brilliantly in the song "Therapy" - perhaps the very best single number in the show, combining both music and lyrics masterfully. Most critics have almost universally praised Raul Esparza in the autobiographical role of Jonathan. His strong voice runs through a variety of styles, from the high-energy "30/90" to the more contemplative "Why", which deals with a theme common to Larson's work - the terrible loss his generation has suffered to AIDS. Another song you'll listen to over and over is the show's finale, "Louder than Words." Listen to the words; listen to the music; listen to the singing. This is great theatre. Sure its an early work. Some of he lyrics are contrived - I could have done without the song "Green Green Dress" - but what a small price to pay for a work with so much energy. And that's what will remind you of Rent - the energy level of this show. Even after seeing Rent five times, I am always amazed at how Jonathan Larson managed to kepp the energy level of that show at such a high pitch for three hours. But seeing Tick Tick Boom, and seeing how just three performers and four musicians manage to create a show such such amazing energy and spirit, you realize that is Larson's trademark.
But what should also strike us all is a terrible sense of loss.
Listening to Tick Tick Boom and Rent, you quickly realize what a major talent Jonathan Larson was. And just as he says in the show, walking through Times Square one day and noting that all the shows come from London or Disney, we realize that Larson was a major talent that could energize the American musical, and sadly, was taken from us almost before he started. But he left behind Rent, and now we also have Tick Tick Boom to revel in. If you can get to New York ... see it. But in either case, buy the CD.

I fell in love with musical theatre because of the Rent cast album, which I bought several days after hearing it for the first time. I'm actually going to get to see Rent on November 3 of this year, so that will finally be fulfilled. So, naturally, I was looking forward to the next work by Jonathan Larson--I always regretted that there wasn't more of his work to have recordings of, or go see.

So, when tick, tick...BOOM! was coming out, I naturally became excited. I heard the album and bought it a few days later...it was so easy to make that purchase. tick, tick...BOOM! is a lot shorter than Rent, in that the entire score is about 45 minutes long. There are 12 musical pieces here, performed by Raul Esparza (Jonathan Larson), Amy Spanger (Jon's girlfriend Susan), and Jerry Dixon (Jon's best friend Michael). When it is being fun or funny, tick, tick...BOOM! is beyond belief (the catchy "Green Green Dress," the Sondheim parody "Sunday," the Rent-ish "No More," Esparza and Spanger showing off their diction in "Therapy," or the fun ode to "Sugar")...when it is being serious (an anti-birthday song in "30/90," a number of self-questioning songs such as "Johnny Can't Decide," "Real Life," and "Why") or just grand (the clip from another show, Superbia, in "Come To Your Senses" and the grand finale in "Louder than Words"...ringing so true from an album released on September 11, 2001), tick, tick...BOOM! works wonders. It has a Rent feel to it at times, but most definitely stands as a piece on its own feet.

I actually prefer listening to the album as a single piece, which doesn't become hard--it only takes 45 minutes, and creates a very true, very honest, very deeply moving story. I plan to see it this winter--I can't imagine a better show to go see, than Jon Larson's autobiographical piece. So go get it.

(Short album, short review--I can't really say anything more other than listen to the sound clips here, and you will NEED this cast recording!)

I have been listening to "Tick, Tick... Boom!" for three weeks every day on the subway (in Los Angeles) now and feel fully apt to comment on its quality for a prospective buyer.

If you are a "Rent" fan, you'll find a lot to like. As a matter of fact, the songs "30/90", "No More" and "Boho Days" sound like they were written for "Rent". However, there is much more to discover on this CD than that. Jonathan Larson definitely died before his time, he was definitely the next heir apparent to Stephen Sondheim, who's work he modifies in a song called "Sunday" on this soundtrack.

My favorite three tracks are the first three, "30/90", which describes life at a turning point, "Green Green Dress", which is the sexiest song I've ever heard in a musical, and "Johnny Can't Decide", which is so hauntingly beautiful it makes you cry even more after you've heard it 30 times than the first time.

As for the cast, Jerry Dixon is terrific, although he doesn't have too much to do. He is a terrific actor, which comes across on the disc. Amy Spanger is a little shrill vocally for my tastes. When she is called upon to do different characters, she always sounds the same. But as with Mr. Dixon, there's not too much material for her, and her version of "Come To Your Senses" is delicious. The backbone of the show is Raul Esparaza, who recently played "Riff Raff" in "The Rocky Horror Show", and here is in such great vocal shape that I can't imagine any actor former or future embodying the role of "Jonathan" as well as he does. He has the bulk of the music on the CD, and his voice is throaty, his lyric interpretation fascinating, and he makes the whole recording a worthwhile buy. The sexiness of "Green Green Dress" contrasted with the haunting prescience of "Louder Than Words" is stunning. Trust me, buy this CD for Raul. He will be a big, big star on Broadway and it's a gift to have this recording.

Enjoy!

I saw this show about 3 years ago when it was on tour (starring Joey McIntyre as Jonathan) and I was blown away and immediately purchased the album. It is an amazing show that is loved by people of all ages - I know people of all ages, from high school freshmen up, who enjoy the music from this show.

The songs hit touch perfectly upon a range of emotions. From the mellow, contemplative "Johnny Can't Decide" to the neurotic "30/90" to the powerhouse "Louder Than Words", this show is a roller coaster of emotions, in songs such as:

The neurotic, ticking "30/90"; the sexy rock & roll of "Green Green Dress"; the Sondeimian "Sunday"; the Rock Lobster-eque "No More" (with amusing operatic moments and a reference to the Jeffersons theme song); the witty, almost bluegrassy "Therapy"; the softer "Real Life";
the Bubblegum Rock ode to "Sugar"; the beautiful ballad "See Her Smile"; the thought-provoking "Come To Your Senses" (from Superbia); the gently flowing "Why" telling the story of Larson's childhood; and the masterpiece "Louder Than Words"


And considering that the album was released September 11, 2001, the lyrics take on a deeper meaning.

"Why do we follow leaders who never lead?
Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution?
If we're so free, tell me why?
Someone tell me why
So many people bleed?" - Louder Than Words

Considering this was written more than 10 years before it was released, the lyrics have a timeless quality that can apply to so many situations. And anyone who sees the show or hears the music will relate in some way to it.

Please buy this CD - it is one of the best (if not the best) musicals ever written (and I'm not just one of those RENT-obsessed fans whose musical theatre knowledge is limited to the most contemporary)

And if you ever have the opportunity to see it, TAKE IT!
I'm really disappointed that this doesn't get the recognition it deserves and that a very small number of people were actually lucky enough to see it.

And if you don't believe what I've said here, please find the lyrics and read them - understand the poetry and the brilliance - then listen to the amazing melodies and I promise you'll be blown away.

Before there was the musical sensation "Rent," Jonathan Larson wrote several great songs and shows, some that have been heard (such as "Love Heals" recorded on Sherie Rene Scott's album "Men I've Had") and some that have been performed in New York, but not made available (like the Larson gem, "You call my name" sung at a benefit concert by Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, and the rock-opera "Superbia"). In 1990, Larson performed a one man show called, "tick, tick...Boom!" several times in several incarnations. It told the story of himself and his fear of turning 30 without having made an impact. A few years after Larson's tragic death, his close friend and filmmaker Victoria Leacock and director Stephen Schwartz compiled the different versions and made it into a 3 person show, recorded here by its original off-broadway cast. And the result are wonderful. "30/90" displays a very "rent-ish" quality of setting the story up. Other highlights include "Johnny can't decide," "Sunday (a humerous take on a piece from Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George")," "Louder than Words," and the beautiful "Come to your Senses," memorably sung by Amy Spanger. But it's the hanting and humerous "Boho Days," recorded by Larson himself sometime before his death, that really got to me. Jonathan Larson was an enormous talent, and it's really a shame that he'll never write any new musicals for us in the future. It really is our loss.

Far better than the overblown Rent, with which Jonathan Larson truly made his name, tick, tick...BOOM! is a human-sized musical, and has produced a heartfelt, human-sized recording. The disc contains practically the entire score heard in the theater, presented more or less as a pop album, so if you're expecting to get a really good idea of the story just from listening, that's not going to happen. But the theatricality of the music comes across on the recording, and the music itself is excellent. From the driving rhythm of "30/90" through the hilarious "Sunday" and the haunting, moving finale of "Louder Than Words," there are almost no musical missteps here. Raul Esparza, Amy Spanger, and Jerry Dixon are all superb, and it's impossible to imagine the music being sung by anyone else, let alone performed in a one-man show as it originally was (a track of Larson performing a song entitled "Boho Days," which was not present in the final version of the show, is included). The disc doesn't bring across all the drama and emotion of the actual show, which prevents it from receiving a higher rating, but is one recording every lover of Rent or contemporary musicals must have in their collection.

Okay, so I've seen RENT over 50 times. It changed my life. I was going on a theatre vacation to NYC and was looking on line at what there was to see. I stumbled upon TICK, TICK....BOOM! I instantly knew it was Jonathan Larson's show. I went. To say that I was blown away doesn't even begin to cover it. It is as good as RENT...that's saying A LOT for me. Jerry Dixon is great. Amy Spanger, who I saw about 30 times as Maureen in RENT, just rocks the house. Raul Esparza, though. He's a Chicago boy...which is where I'm from...so I've seen him for years. NEVER have I seen him like this. I thought he was just INCREDIBLE. The songs just get better and better. My personal favorite is "Why." I cried so hard during it in NYC that I thought I would have to leave the theatre. The finale, "Louder Than Words," is just true Jonathan Larson. SO hopeful. 30/90 opens the cd, and the show, in such a wonderful, fun, powerful way. The song that Jon actually sings on the cd, "Boho Days," is wonderful, too. Hearing HIS voice really makes it. This, to me, is just a perfect cd. Seeing the original cast just made it all for me. They are 3 people whose voices just meld perfectly together. Yeah, I think I like this cd!!

Listening to this CD brings tears to my eyes. Not only does it contain some absolutely beautiful songs (See Her Smile, Real Life), not only does it make us regret Larson's early death even more than RENT does, but it speaks to me. As a mere high schooler who's dream is to write music for the theatre, songs like "Why" and "Johnny Can't Decide" perfectly expresses many of the things I go through as I go through my last year in high school, trying to decide if I want to spend my life with music or with money. After listening to this CD, it truly does make me want to write music. It's amazing how Larson can create such magic with notes and words on paper...

The singers are great, but they sound MUCH better on stage than they do in the recording. Amy Spanger screeches the high notes a little too much for my taste in "Come To Your Senses", and Raul Esparza growls occasionally. However, this all worked much better live. One of the more ingenious moments in this show comes with "Sunday" a parody/tribute to Jonathan's mentor, Stephen Sondheim. Other great songs, besides the ones already mentioned, are "Sugar", a fun 50's-ish number, the opener "30/90", and the closer, "Louder Than Words".

Also included is "Boho Days", sung by Jonathan himself. Done very simply, with only claps as accompaniment- it ends up being a sad reminder that Larson's voice may never be heard in theatre again outside of this show and RENT.

Some fairly apropos words from this show as applied to last Tuesday's tragedies:
"Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds.
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer.
Actions speak louder than words."

Let's show the world that we, as Americans, believe in freedom and love, not fear or hatred.

I saw Tick, Tick... BOOM! in the Village this summer, just a few hours after seeing RENT for the first time. I was afraid it would be dwarfed by the magnificence of RENT. While RENT is the rock opera for which Larson will always be revered as a musical theater wonder, Tick, Tick... BOOM has a value all its own. I love it for two reasons.

First, for fans of RENT, Tick, Tick... BOOM! is a wonderful view into the years of Larson's life that led him to write RENT... in his own music, Larson takes us through the weeks leading to his 30th birthday in 1990... an artist on the verge of explosion. We meet the driving forces in his life - his childhood best friend Michael, who I'm guessing inspired Tom Collins and Susan, the woman he loves... Maureen? Tick, Tick... BOOM! is great as a companion piece to the "most refreshing musical in decades."

It also stands alone, as an autobiographical musical about an artist struggling with a lack of inspiration at the beginning of a mid-life crisis... "no longer the ingenue," cries the first track, 30/90. Tick, Tick... BOOM! was written during the years of production of RENT, and lacks some of RENT's fusion of rock into classic musical-music. However, the music in ttB is great on its own... in fact, for the unindoctrinated Larson fan, it might be better, as these are just rock songs, and stand out of context. The final track, "Louder Than Words" is just incredible.

All in all, Tick, Tick,... BOOM! is another example of Larson's greatnes... if you can get to see it at the Jane Street Theater in the Village, DO, by all means. And definitely try the CD.

cages or wings?
which do you prefer?
ask the birds.

fear or love, baby?
don't say the answer.
actions speak louder than words.

To anyone who ever saw or listened to Jonathan Larson's RENT, and was touched by its beauty, its spirit and its joy...
To anyone who knows what it's like to be caught between following your dreams and facing the idea that they may not come true...
To anyone who's interested in learning a bit more about the life of a young artist who died without ever knowing that his work would affect millions upon millions of people...
Buy the Tick, Tick... Boom! CD right now! Thanks to the work of an incredibly talented creative team including director Scott Schwartz, musical director Stephen Oremus, actors Raul Esparza, Amy Spanger and Jerry Dixon, and many others, some more of Jonathan Larson's pre-RENT work is available now... and like RENT, it's a success in many ways!
The music is beautiful and inspiring; funny at times, sad at others, but solidly uplifting throughout... and the performances are as electric on the CD as they were in the theater. I highly recommend this CD to all fans of Jonathan Larson's music... in fact, I highly recommend this CD to everyone.
Trust me, you'll like it!