"Larson’s emotional investment and his verbal and musical imagination go far in turning narrative dross into theatre gold. While not every song is dynamite—several sound similar to other musical theatre numbers—enough are standouts to make them worth waiting for...This revival of ‘Tick, Tick...BOOM!’ deserves an extended run. But just in case it doesn’t get one I recommend that you hasten down to 42nd Street and see what all the ticking’s about."
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"It drives home how great a loss Larson's death was for musical theater...The rock-infused songs run from love ballads to a humorous number about working the weekend brunch shift at a diner that slyly references Sondheim's 'Sunday'...Nick Blaemire, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Larson, is totally winning as the conflicted Jon...He channels Larson with such authentic sincerity that his performance is as openly emotional as the best of his idol's songs."
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"Just plain great...The all-around skillful team staging this 'Tick' does right by the show’s simple, focused story, letting its sincerity and real-life evocativeness shine. It’s a tale that very much hangs together...There’s plenty of humor, mostly the sweet kind, throughout...The lyrics too are mostly clever and funny, lapsing into cliché only sporadically, as in the unsatisfying closing number...When the three voices combine in harmony and counterpoint the results are thrilling."
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"The happy ending can seem a little pat or contrived, but the depth of feeling brought to the Keen Company production, directed with verve by Keen’s artistic director Jonathan Silverstein, gives it an emotional charge...Blaemire brings an ingratiating everyman quality to the role, and he’s vigorously supported by Ciara Renée as Susan and George Salazar as Michael...Most importantly, 'Tick, Tick…Boom!' is a showcase for the versatility of Larson’s musical genius."
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"The three person show moves at rapid speed and leaves you cheering for the entire cast...'Tick, Tick…Boom! is not nearly as familiar to audiences as 'Rent,' but one should not underestimate the excellent score...Silverstein’s staging is effective, but this new version loses some of the intimacy that the original had...Still, there is much to admire here...May not go down in history as one of the best musicals ever scripted but it is undeniably a solid one."
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"This little musical is a treat...Good music, clever lyrics. A plot where hope and hard work are rewarded, but, sensibly and realistically, not always...The cast all have wonderfully expressive faces, strong voices that harmonize well, and they never waste the smart lyrics...Directed with obvious affection by Jonathan Silverstein, 'Tick, Tick…Boom!' doesn’t feel nearly as dated as it should, and speaks to anybody who loves the spirit of musical theatre."
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"Blaemire plays the conflicted artist to a T, and when he gets a voice mail from Stephen Sondheim after a successful workshop, his stunned stillness is simply beautiful...The songs, by Larson, have threads within them that sound like 'Rent' trying to come out...Apart from the rather silly and pointless 'Green Green Dress,' every song has a purpose, a hook, and an identity within the work...Brilliant staging with an admirable cast and crew makes the Keen Company’s production an absolute joy."
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"Fans of his 1996 hit rock musical are likely to thoroughly enjoy the Keen Company production of 'Tick, Tick… Boom!'...The actors, backed by four extremely talented musicians, successfully deliver Larson’s material song after song...Under Jonathan Silverstein’s direction, Blaemire’s talent is central to the production; however, it is Renée who owns it. Silverstein’s staging is fun—distinctly and expressively building the anxiety of turning 30 to a rich crescendo."
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