Tick, tick... BOOM! (theatre)

"''Fear or love, baby, don't say the answer

Actions speak louder than words''"

- "Louder Than Words"

tick, tick... BOOM! is a musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. The work was partly autobiographical, although it was not produced until after Larson's death in 1996. The show is also partily a tribute to Larson's idol, Stephen Sondheim, with its plot driven similarly to Company. One song, "Sunday", is an update of a song of the same name from Sunday in The Park With George.

The show's main character is Jon, a struggling composer about to celebrate his 30th birthday. His best friend Michael, a successful businessman, encourages Jon to pursue a more stable, better-paying career. Jon's girlfriend Susan, a dancer working as a ballet instructor, is ready to settle down and start a family. In the middle of trying to get his own musical produced, Jon has to decide what he really wants to do with his life.

tick, tick... BOOM! provides examples of:

 * Cut Song: "Boho Days"
 * Homage: The show is a giant one to Stephen Sondheim.
 * I Am Song / I Want Song: "Why", which comes very late in the story.
 * I Want Song: "Johnny Can't Decide"
 * Reclusive Artist: Jon
 * Shout Out: to West Side Story and Mary Poppins in "Why"
 * Show Within a Show: Jon's musical, SUPERBIA
 * Tear Jerker: "Why". If you aren't crying from the beginning, when, you'll be crying by the end of the song.
 * Jonathan finally playing "Happy Birthday" at the end.