Before Jonathan Larson wrote RENT, he penned an autobiographical musical called Tick, Tick…Boom! and Forte Musical Theatre Guild has mounted it in the Big Secret Theatre. The musical is the story of John and what he went through before he made it big. Upon first examination, it’s a pretty robust theatrical production, with fourteen songs, ten characters, three actors and a rock band. But the vibrant production by Forte can’t hide the feeling that there is something missing. There isn’t a connection to John, or his situation or struggle. Perhaps it’s the songs that are performed in the third person, or the lack of emotional reaction in the drama of the production, I’m not really sure. What I do know, is that Tick, Tick…Boom! tries really hard to be poignant and it just isn’t. The musical looks like a great piece to produce, but what it lacks isn’t made up with talent and abilities, that are definitely on stage in this production.
The musical tells of John (Dane Bjornson), a composer and playwright who lives in New York and who is trying to break into Broadway. His best friend Michael (Joel Schaefer) used to be an artist too but has gotten himself a job in Marketing where he is well paid and can now afford a nice car and apartment. John’s girlfriend of two years, Susan (Jessica Jones Deroche) wants to move out of the city to settle down, and get married. It’s a pull on John, but he’s not sure if he’s ready to give up on his dreams and leave New York.
Forte Musical Guild has assembled a cast and creative team to ensure this production is compelling. The band, playing live is composed of Joe Slabe on piano, Carl Janzen on guitar, Darcy Johnstone on bass and Nathaniel Chiang on drums is a nice touch. The cast all have strong voices and Jones and Schaefer have great energy. Jones is versatile and Schaefer can dance as well as sing. Bjornson has a great voice but has less to work with as John.
There is a strange disconnect in this production, where it is really hard to feel John’s struggle. Even the title refers to the ticking clock, but there is no tension in the narrative. There is a song in the beginning where John refers to himself in the third person and that captures the disconnect of this musical, like all the feelings are subdued somehow.
JP Thibodeau acts as director and scenic designer on this production and the set features a stand up piano and frames that hang at the top of the set and a platform with stairs on either side. The projections on the picture frames mark the location of the scene, whether it’s John’s rooftop, Michael’s office building or the Moondance Diner. Kris Mish’s lighting design adds to the projection design.
The songs of Tick, Tick…Boom! are slow at the beginning, then pick up and get better as the musical goes on. But the characters are still really flat and the whole show is really lacking that emotional pull.
This production of Tick, Tick…Boom! by Forte Musical Guild has closed but more information about upcoming shows are available on their website.