Pennsylvania's Theatre Horizon is readying a new production of Jonathan Larson's tick, tick...BOOM!, with performances set to begin April 4. Broadway alum Robi Hager (Doctor Zhivago, Spring Awakening) and Steve Pacek are co-directing the new staging, which will open April 5 and continue through April 14.
Hager is also starring as Jon. Get a first look at Hager as the Rent composer in newly released promo shots below.
Joining Hager in the cast will be Angel Sigala (New York, New York) as Michael and Elena Camp (My Fair Lady) as Susan.
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.
“I want this production to pay homage to local and national musical theatre composers who are trying to ‘break through’ with their songs and art,” says Hager in a statement. “It’s also incredible to collaborate with my close colleagues and friends Steve Pacek, Angel Sigala, and Elena Camp–three top-tier artists–on bringing this story to life.” Hager is also a musical theatre writer, with shows including Little Duende, Silutetas, and Basic Witches.
Theatre Horizon's production will feature music direction by Brigitte Rottman, sound design by Damien Figueras, costume design by Asaki Kuruma, set design by Christopher Haig, and lighting design by J. Dominic Chacon. Alexis Wells is stage manager, with Karly Amato as assistant stage manager.
Tickets are available at TheatreHorizon.org.