Tick, tick... BOOM! (theatre)

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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.

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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 Jonathan finds out Michael has AIDS, you'll be crying by the end of the song.
  • Jonathan finally playing "Happy Birthday" at the end.