Tick, Tick ... Boom! NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (262)
See it if You love rock musicals, loved RENT and like the writing of Jonathan Larson.
Don't see it if If you expect a huge Broadway production that is light and fluffy with a big cast.
See it if saw the last revival at city center, and enjoy show with great soundtrack and smart production in a small stage
Don't see it if youre looking for big cast or big production numbers...
See it if you enjoyed Rent and want to know more about and from its creator, you love a show which explores the challenges & joys of a life in theater
Don't see it if a show about the life of young people who are trying to figure out their lives has no interest, you don't enjoy shows about theater. Read more
See it if You are a Jonathan Larson fan, or if you aren't, because you should be. A charming autobiographical glimpse of his life.
Don't see it if Give this delightful show a chance unless you know nothing about Larson,or have no interest in his story. Read more
See it if You love fun shows with amazing music
Don't see it if Are looking for big production numbers
See it if You are a Rent fan and appreciate excellent vocal performances.
Don't see it if Don't like Rent or stories about struggling artists. Read more
See it if I did not see Nick Blaemire version. I saw the CC-Encores -Off Center! version w/ Lin Manuel Miranda in 2014 BOOM! Now his MOVIE version out
Don't see it if Saw Leslie Odom, Jr & Karen Olivo onstage w/ LMM. Now LMM directs movie & I saw it ON THE BIG SCREEN. NYC theater geeks only tho! Netflix it
See it if Want a creative well crafted performance with great book and score.
Don't see it if If you need an exquisite stage with production numbers.
Critic Reviews (29)
"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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"Energetic, well sung and a slice of time captured by the late Larson...The thing missing here is chemistry and a sense of urgency for time running out. The stakes never seem high enough. Silverstein obviously loves this material, but his direction is all over the place. The vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Ormus are so well done, thanks to musical director Joey Chancey, who brings out the best in this material...For a musical journey 'Tick, Tick…Boom!' is the show to see."
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"Director Jonathan Silverstein uses the stage particularly well. Characterization and chemistry are less well attended. On the one hand, this is a young, hyper-personal, self-indulgent piece with little melody and cliché-ridden lyrics. On the other, it describes circumstances with which it’s easy to empathize, has an appealing lead, and is energetically and imaginatively staged."
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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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