Before Jonathan Larson’s RENT electrified Broadway, there was tick, tick… BOOM! And this November, the inspirational production returns to Toronto for the first time in two decades.
Taking over the Alumnae Theatre from Nov. 7 to 15, Bowtie Productions (ran by Ian Kowalski and Meredith Shedden) is bringing Larson’s musical to the city with a refreshed staging that promises to hit close to home for anyone who’s ever wondered about the costs of chasing a dream.
Set in New York in 1990, tick, tick… BOOM! follows Jon, a struggling composer on the cusp of turning 30, whose friends seem to be moving up in life while he’s still waiting tables and waiting for his big break in showbiz. The show explores the tug-of-war between ambition, love, and ultimately, the fear of running out of time.
Bowtie Productions’ revival marks the first Toronto staging since 2005. Artistic Director Meredith Shedden describes the forthcoming production as “anxious, exciting and optimistic.”
“This show felt very personal to us as a company. We’re both sort of approaching the same age that Jon is within the story,” Shedden told Now Toronto.
“It’s an autobiographical story of Jonathan Larson approaching his 30th birthday and figuring out whether or not he should continue to strive for a career in the arts or give it all up for something more stable, and I think we’re all feeling that way.
Shedden says the story will especially be relatable among young Toronto creatives.
“Living in Toronto as an artist is like, it’s the place you need to be… but it’s also such a grind,” she said. “I think this story really resonates with a lot of the people in our community right now.”
Originally performed by Larson himself as a solo piece, tick, tick… BOOM! was transformed into a three-actor musical by playwright David Auburn, and later, a Netflix film adaptation in 2021 by Lin-Manuel Miranda starring Andrew Garfield. Shedden admits that she was one of the people who fell in love with the production through the film, but is also happy to be a part of Larson’s legacy being introduced to another generation with modern elements.
“When the film came out in 2021, I think it gave this story a very new life, and a lot of people discovered it for the first time,” Shedden said. “It’s the type of show that we really like to do here at Bowtie. It’s intimate and there’s a queer focus to it. We love to tell stories with a queer focus, and it’s a show that people really want to see and haven’t gotten to in a really long time.”
Starring recent Dora Award winners Joshua Kilimnik as Jon, Misha Sharivker as Michael, and Diana Del Rosario as Susan, Shedden has nothing but great things to say about her cast.
“This cast is quite frankly incredible,” she beamed. “The vocals are amazing. They’re hilarious, and they’re so connected to and committed to telling this story as authentically as possible… it’s just got a great energy and chemistry between these three people, and you’re going to be able to witness that on stage.”
For Shedden and the Bowtie team, this revival is more than just a tribute to a beloved musical, but a hilarious and heartfelt conversation between generations of artists who understand the serious effort behind trying to make it in a city that doesn’t always make it easy.
“I think everyone’s going to walk away feeling really positive and optimistic,” Shedden said.
“What I hope everyone else’s biggest takeaway from this show is that pursuing your dreams and the things that you love to do the most is more important than anything else. It is what’s going to keep you going in life. It’s what’s going to make you feel fulfilled, especially in times that are so tumultuous right now. Committing to yourself and committing to what you believe in, I think, is going to carry you through.”
tick, tick… BOOM! kicks off its exciting residency week at Alumnae Theatre on Nov. 7, and tickets are on sale now starting at $38. For more information, click here.
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