[NEohioPAL]Berko review: 'tick, tick, Boom!" (Cain Park)

[Roy Berko]

	‘‘tick, tick...BOOM!’ ’ IS TICK, TICK TERRIFIC AT
CAIN PARK

	Roy Berko

	(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

	--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

	Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


	In the history of theatre, specific productions are
responsible for defining a historical period of time
or introducing a new movement into the art form. 
	The musical ‘OKLAHOMA’ introduced the public to a new
form of musical theatre.  It was story based and all
parts of the production were integrated into a
seamless flow.  ‘HAIR,’ was Broadway’s first
successful rock musical aimed at unsettling the
uptight community of musical theatre.  It allowed
middle-class audiences to watch America’s
revolutionary sixties complete with hippies, flower
children, nudity and drugs.  ‘RENT’ was the seminal
musical of the 90’s, mirroring the AIDS epidemic, the
“I” generation and ear-piecing music.
	The intriguing aspect of ‘RENT’ was that Jonathan
Larson, it’s conceiver, after many years of struggling
to “make it,” never saw a dream accomplished.  Larson
died just before the first preview of ‘RENT,” making
the show his first and only hit.  
	Following Larson’s death, friends and other theatre
people tried to conceive a way to continue his legend.
 Larson had several other scripts he had been working
on, including ‘30/90’ a one-man show that he had
performed to make financial ends meet and showcase his
talent.  They convinced David Auburn, the 2001
Pulitzer Prize winner for the play ‘PROOF’ to take on
the project.  Auburn took Larson’s musical monologue
and turned it into a play for three actors.  He added
a song from Larson’s never produced ‘SUPERBIA,’ and
developed a musical now entitled, ‘tick, tick...BOOM!’

	The show tells the story of a young composer on the
brink of turning 30 and falling into oblivion. His
girlfriend wants to get married; his best friend is
gainfully employed, and our hero is waiting tables
trying to write the great American musical.  Should
the young writer continue his dreams or take an escape
route?  As we all now know, the young writer named
Jonathan (obviously, Larson) did not give up, but kept
plugging along and went on to posthumous fame.  
	It is ironic that a from ‘tick, tick...BOOM!’ was a
prophecy of what was to come.  Jonathan shouts, “I
can’t do it.  I’ll explode.”  And explode he did, from
an aortic aneurysm.  Larson died at age 35.
	Those who didn’t like ‘RENT’ because of the
ear-piercing music, which caused problems in
understanding song lyrics, and that it was difficult
to feel empathy for people who seemed destined to
self-destruct in their quest for doing their own
thing, will find ‘tick, tick...BOOM!’ to be a
different experience.  Mixed in with the heavy rock
sound are some beautiful ballads and even a twangy
country-like piece.  The characters are much more
accessible and real.
	Cain Park’s production of ‘tick, tick...BOOM!,’ under
the adept direction of Victoria Bussert is excellent. 
All three of the actors can sing and act with great
proficiency.  The music, except in a few numbers where
musical director Nancy Gantose-Maier cranks up the
sound and forgets that the audience needs to hear the
lyrics, is excellent.  Jeff Herrmann’s multi-level set
design works well and Cassandra Goldbach’s lighting
sets the proper moods.
	Bussert, Cain Park’s Theatre Artistic Director, has a
knack for finding small shows that fit perfectly into
the Alma Theatre venue.  Once she locates them, she
latches on and produces wonders.  Think ‘BAT BOY:  THE
MUSICAL,’ ‘AVENUE X’ and  ‘SIDE SHOW.’
	Patrick Janson makes Jonathan a real person with whom
we can empathize.  He has a powerful singing voice and
uses it effectively to interpret song lyrics.
	Emily Krieger lights up the stage as Jonathan’s girl
friend.  Her voice is strong and her acting abilities
are excellent.
	Fabio Polanco, as Jonathan’s life-long friend,
conveys a clear characterization and sings well.
	Highlight numbers included “Johnny Can’t Decide,” a
philosophical ballad; “Therapy,” a clever take-off on
pop psychology; “Sugar,” an audience favorite about
the need for sugar highs including sneaking Twinkies;
“Come to Your Senses,” a pretty ballad that gets a
wonderful rendition by Krieger; and “Why,” beautifully
sung by Janson. 
	CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Cain Park’s ‘tick, tick...BOOM!’
is a wonderful evening of musical theatre.  Combining
excellent music, a palatable story, and high level
production qualities, it is one of the area’s summer
highlights.  Go see ‘tick, tick...BOOM!’
	‘tick tick BOOM’ runs through August 15 at the Alma
Theatre in Cain Park.  For tickets call 216-371-3000.


=====
Roy Berko's web page can be found at royberko.info and many of his theatre and dance reviews appear on artscleveland.net.


		
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