Cover (Photo: Reine Bantang)
(Photo: Reine Bantang)
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We’re not getting any younger, but that shouldn’t scare us… Right?
Based on the life of Jonathan Larson, the writer of Rent, the musical Tick, Tick… Boom! is a relatable tale of getting older. The semi-autobiography features Jon, a struggling composer about to turn 30; Michael, a former actor that left his passion behind to secure a job in the corporate world; and Susan, a dancer that teaches rich and untalented people and Jon’s girlfriend. Together, the three navigate each of their struggles, often having to choose between practicality and their dreams.
The rock musical has been adapted many times off-Broadway, in cinema and in 2016, locally by 9 Works Theatrical. This year’s interpretation features a star-studded cast, returning members and a revamped set for an all-new theatrical experience under Robbie Guevara’s direction.
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The musical only ever has three people on stage—other than the stagehands who move the set around—so any characters that aren’t Jon, Susan and Michael are played by the cast. From the talented singer Karessa Johnson and the eccentric Rosa Stevens to the silly unnamed (and goofily named) counter guy and loving parents of Jon, they’re all played by Tanya and Reb—or their counterparts Kayla and Vien. All this was done seamlessly and was masterfully executed, quickly changing character modes at a minute’s notice.
Reflecting Jon’s anxious mind, he constantly narrates every tiny detail that’s happening around him. From mundane moments like Susan taking a seat to fast-paced ramblings, we’re always in the loop as to what he’s thinking.
Above (Photo: Reine Bantang)
(Photo: Reine Bantang)
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The musical’s signature song, 30/90, set the tone of the entire show. It’s about the fear and anxiety of growing older. The thought of doing something grand or making your mark on history before a certain age, the imaginary timebomb that explodes when we hit 30 and we feel like we haven’t done anything. Tick, Tick… Boom! captures that fear and hits a nerve in everyone—almost firing a starting gun in our hearts, inspiring us to get to work.
Though I think the musical would do fine storywise without songs like Green Green Dress and Sugar, the audience and I personally enjoyed them all the same. JM Cabling’s choreography made every scene mesmerising and the way each song was sung made it a welcome performance that added to the excitement.
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Above Tanya Manalang as Susan (Photo: Reine Bantang)
Tanya Manalang as Susan (Photo: Reine Bantang)
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There are plenty of differences between this iteration and the 2021 movie starring Andrew Garfield. For instance, the reason for their fight in the song Therapy. In the movie, Susan and Jon have a fight about their big talk constantly getting postponed—a genuine grievance by Susan, given it is a serious turning point in her career and life. This version has them fighting about coming over and Jon’s reluctance to commute by train. While this may seem like a much shallower argument, we get to see more of Jon’s character and how bad he is at prioritising the things that matter. This fight ultimately changes the whole narrative but it was done in a way that just works.
One thing I don’t understand, however, is the seemingly forced—and short-lived—romance between Karessa and Jon. After singing Sugar together, Karessa walks Jon home and kisses him on the cheek. Susan sees this from the window, brings it up once, dismisses it and it’s never talked about again. Though this was present in previous off-Broadway shows, I feel the story could've gone without it and would’ve loved a change in this regard. However, I do acknowledge remaining faithful to the original script.
Above (Photo: Reine Bantang)
(Photo: Reine Bantang)
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The set design was perfect. Jon’s bedroom took up the entire stage and would sometimes be pulled backwards to make room for other scenes. But what struck me the most was how it shifted to the narrative in a grander sense. For instance, when Jon received bad news from his agent and his world crumbled, the set physically shifted to mirror Jon’s mental state, giving us a visual as to what was going on in his head at the moment. An unexpected and spectacular detail that deserves praise.
Though I would’ve loved to see the iconic Moondance Diner on set, I understand why it wasn’t done.
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Overall, Tick, Tick... Boom! is a timeless masterpiece that hits close to home for most of the audience and 9 Works Theatrical did an amazing job on their adaptation. With the cast members always shifting after every show, creating eight different permutations to be enjoyed, it’s exciting to see how different every show would be depending on which cast member performs.
Tick, Tick... Boom! runs every weekend in August at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza. You can get your tickets at ticket2me.net.
About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
