TICK, TICK … BOOM!
It’s a cruel irony that as American composer Jonathan Larson wrote his Broadway hit Rent and the autobiographical accompaniment to the process, Tick, Tick … Boom! he himself was sitting on a ticking time bomb. After doggedly pursuing stage fame and glory for years, on the night of the last dress rehearsal for Rent, Larson died of an undiagnosed heart condition at age 36.
“That’s a big theme that runs through his works,” says the director of the upcoming Sydney production of Tick, Tick … Boom!, Jay James-Moody. “There is no day like today. Because you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. Unfortunately that’s what happened to him – he wanted it so badly but he never lived to achieve it.”
‘It’ being a Pulitzer and two Tony Awards, a box-office smashing $280million run and motion picture offspring for Rent, plus critical acclaim and numerous international productions of Tick, Tick … Boom! which started off as a rock monologue performed by Larson himself. It follows aspiring musical-maker Jon as he stands on the precipice of choosing financial security and marriage, and taking the plunge for his dream.
“The world is lucky that he did decide to pursue his dream,” says James-Moody, who himself choose to pursue a career path in musical theatre after falling in love with Rent. In Australia, the dream is even harder to actualise. “Absolutely, the opportunities for this kind of work are few and far between. It’s so competitive here.” He cites organisations like New Musicals that are trying to support and nurture local writers. “People are trying to make a difference. Hopefully the opportunities will continue to grow locally.”
In the meantime, you can witness aspiration in action on the stages of NIDA in Tick, Tick … Boom! starring Tyran Parke, Melle Stewart and Justin Smith.
Jul 12-16, Parade Playhouse, NIDA, 215 Anzac Pde, Kensington, $32-44, ticketek.com.au
