Theater Review: "Tick, Tick...BOOM!" by City Stage Company

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

“Tick, Tick….Boom!” is the work of “Rent” composer Jonathan Larson. Larson wrote the book, music and lyrics for this show before his death, with David Auburn as the script consultant and vocal arrangement and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus. “tick, tick…BOOM!” was originally produced off-Broadway in 2002 and there was a 2009 production at the Westport Country Playhouse.

City Stage Company, the sister company to City Youth Theater, will present a production of “Tick, Tick….Boom!” this weekend only in the black box theater at Naugatuck Valley Community College Arts Center in Waterbury. I was invited to attend the technical rehearsal to get a flavor for what the final performances will look like.

The musical is directed by the multi-talented Steffon Sampson, with music direction by Tigger Kleussendorf. While I saw the actors singing with rehearsal tracks, there will be a four-piece pit orchestra to accompany the singers this weekend.

The show is set in 1990 in New York. It tells the story of a waiter and aspiring composer named Jon on the precipice of turning 30 and worried that he has made the wrong career choice to be part of the performing arts. He soon reveals that he is nervous about an upcoming workshop of his newest musical, “Superbia.”

The story is semi-autobiographical. Larson's father writes in the liner notes of the cast recording that Larson had been trying to establish himself in theater since the early 1980s.

Larson, who was an acting major while at Adelphi University, began to perform the piece as a solo work in 1990. During the performances of this show, Larson met Stephen Sondheim, who later helped him to produce “Rent.”

After Larson’s untimely death in 1996, “tick, tick…BOOM!” was revised and revamped by playwright Auburn as a three-actor piece that was produced off-Broadway. Since then, the show has had an Off West End production, a West End production, an American national tour, two Off-Broadway revivals, and numerous local and international productions.

This musical is an intimate, three-actor production that boasts great songs including “30/90,” “Johnny Can’t Decide,” and the Sondheim-inspired “Sunday.” At times, I felt a “Rent” rhythm in some of the musical numbers.

The role of Jonathan is played by Ben Dressel in his City Youth Theatre debut. Dressel truly embodies his character and uses his great vocal range to perform the musical numbers. He also remembers a crushing amount of lines that he must deliver, sometimes as the narrator of his own story. From the minute he begins his performance from the middle of the audience, I enjoyed every second.

Jimmy Hunter, who has won four Halo Awards for both acting and choreography, plays the role of Michael, Jon’s best friend, as well as many other supporting characters. This part is a wonderful chance for Hunter to show off their versatility, while showcasing their masterful dancing and singing.

Aisling Gowen, a Pomperaug High School graduate, portrays Jonathan’s girlfriend, Susan, and other supporting roles. She has good onstage chemistry with Dressel in the role and sings beautifully.

I loved the projection of a ticking clock that appears behind the actors during the two acts, and I won’t spoil what happens to it. If you pay close attention to the dialogue, you will hear references to Naugahyde, old ladies from Connecticut unwrapping candy at a Broadway show, and some whispered references to the late Mr. Sonheim. My favorite musical numbers are probably “30/90,” “Johnny Can’t Decide,” and “Actions Speak Louder than Words.”

There will be set pieces on the stage that had not arrived in time for the rehearsal I attended and I am told that Dressel will have a piano on which to perform. WAMS student John Rush is in charge of lighting design.

City Youth Theatre is dedicated to providing young artists with opportunities to develop their talent and passion for theater and this production is wonderful proof of that mission.

Performances are scheduled for July 27 at 7 p.m., July 28 at 7 p.m., July 29 at 7 p.m. and July 30 at 2 p.m. at the NVCC Performing Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy in Waterbury. There will be a teen night before the July 27 performance at 5 p.m. that will include a cast meet and greet, pizza and a set tour. Use the promo code TEENNIGHT.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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