George Street Playhouse's new staging of Jonathan Larson's tick, tick...BOOM! officially opens April 26 after beginning previews April 23 at the New Brunswick, New Jersey, theatre. The run will continue through May 19 with Artistic Director David Saint at the helm.
Daniel Marconi (Sweeney Todd) stars as Jon with Cathryn Wake (54% Of) as Susan and John Yi (KPOP) as Michael.
The musical follows the young composer during a milestone birthday in 1990, through his theatrical ambitions and his relationships and friendships against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic. The work started life as a “rock monologue” that Larson, best known for his Broadway musical Rent, performed as a solo show. Five years after his 1996 death, the work was adapted into a three-character musical, with David Auburn filling in as a script consultant. That version has since played Off-Broadway, in London, and at theatres around the world. Lin-Manuel Miranda directed a 2021 film adaptation for Netflix starring Andrew Garfield.
George Street's production brings the work back to one of its earliest collaborators, director Saint. "Jonathan Larson was a close friend and a frequent collaborator of mine," Saint said in an earlier statement. "We developed a few pieces together, including three iterations of this show. Each time with a different title, beginning with Boho Days, then 30/90, and finally tick, tick…BOOM! After his tragic and premature death, I have always missed him and am haunted by all the great work he might have gone on to create. In that spirit, I now look back on this friendship, one that I cherish deeply, and hope to honor his talent and legacy with this production."
The production also features scenic design by Travis George, costume design by Lisa Zinni, lighting design by Ryan O'Gara, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, music direction by Andrew David Sotomayor, and choreography by Chris Rice-Thomson. Samantha Flint serves as stage manager. Casting is by McCorkle Casting.
This production is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Tickets are available at GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org.