An Explosion of Talent

tick, tick…Boom!

Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of the powerful, popular hit musical, “Rent,” wrote this piece in response to a host of life-changing events: a lackluster reaction to his first New York musical workshop, his live-in girlfriend, Susan, had made the decision to leave him, and Mike, his best friend since childhood, confessed to Jonathan that he’d contracted AIDS and was dying. Larson was hearing the clock loudly ticking away as he was about to turn 30 years old. The young artist was having strong, nagging doubts about his own career choice in theatre. Larson was watching as his peers and those closest to him were either becoming more successful or simply moving on to more promising, lucrative venues. He felt frustrated that he was wasting away simply waiting tables while treading water as an artist.

Mr. Larson is both the subject as well as the creator of this exciting autobiographical musical. Tragically, the gifted young composer, lyricist and book writer died suddenly of an aortic dissection in 1996. Sadly, it was the day his finally realized production of “Rent” was scheduled to open in previews. Before “Rent,” Larson had written this particular piece of theatre—what he called a rock monologue. It eventually evolved into the present-day, 90-minute 3-character musical. “tick, tick…Boom!” opened Off-Broadway in 2001. The musical now featured a more fleshed-out book by playwright David Auburn, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of “Proof.” Besides being a hit musical, the show is noteworthy, not only because it provides the world with another work by this talented young composer, but it also offers insight into Larson’s troubled personal life.

This new Chicago production is iconic in that it features a cast of talented trans and gender non-conforming performers. The production, an explosion of talent, is passionately directed by BoHo Artistic Associate, Bo Frazier, a trans non-binary, queer and neurodivergent theatre maker. They do a magnificent job of shaping this production and guiding their actors toward very powerful, heartfelt performances. Frazier keeps this show vibrant, always moving and ever evolving toward its conclusion. I’m sure Jonathan Larson would have heartily approved of everything about this production.

 The almost continual motion of the piece is set in the middle of a simple, grunge rock concert setting, courtesy of Scenic Designer Bek Lambrecht. The industrial look provides a solid urban feel to the stage environment. Up center is the Band. It’s comprised of four brilliant musical artists: Music Director, pianist and conductor, Harper Caruso, Keith Burman on guitar, Willow Bloom on bass and Maddi Vogel on drums. The gifted cast features Luke Halpern as Susan (and others), a wonderful Crystal Claros as Michael (and others) and, as Jonathan Larson, the fantastic Alec Phan. They provide the beating heart and soul of this story and Phan, with his honest portrayal, gorgeous singing and amazing keyboarding skills, totally owns this production. I hope to see much more of Alec Phan in the near future, in and around Chicago.

It’s ironic to note that Jonathan Larson originally titled this musical “BoHo Days.” It’s as if he was prophetically forecasting this terrific new, audaciously electrifying production that closes the 2022/2023 season of Chicago’s BoHo Theatre. Because the company’s mission is to tell stories that artfully examine and fully celebrate human relationships, BoHo feels like the perfect theatre to provide this autobiographical musical a new life. Fans of Jonathan Larson’s work will absolutely enjoy seeing this seldom-produced musical, now ticking away and booming with vitality at BoHo Theatre.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 12-February 5 by BoHo Theatre at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office or by going to www.bohotheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.