"Tick, Tick...Boom!" - by Jonathan Larson - Umbrella Arts Center (Concord, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of the musical "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" by Jonathan Larson, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 23, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“What does it take to wake up a generation?"
- ("Jon") / Jonathan Larson
Umbrella Arts Center
Presents the Jonathan Larson Musical
"TICK, TICK...BOOM!"
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Vocal Arrangements and Orchestrations by Stephen Oremus
Directed and Choreographed by Ilyse Robbins*
Music Director - Jordan Oczkowski
Cast Includes: Johnny Shea* as “Jon,” Anthony Pires, Jr.* as “Michael,” Vanessa Calantropo as “Susan,” Jeff Mitchell as “u/s Jon/Michael, Tader Shipley as “u/s Susan.
Additional Creative Team:
Script Consultant David Auburn; Producing Artistic Director - Brian Boruta; Stage Manager - Shauwna Dias Grillo*; Lighting Designer - Ben Rush; Sound Designer - Alex Berg; Scenic Designer - Erik Diaz+; Costume Designer - Kelly Baker; Properties Designer & Set Dresser - Julia Wonkka; Audio Op - Sarah Hobbs Butler; Assistant Stage Manager - Leanna Niesen; Stage Crew - Zoe Pepin; Scenic Charge - Page Evett; Executive Director, The Umbrella Arts Center - Eileen Williston; EDI Consultant - Kira Troilo; Company Manager - Cathie Regan.
* Appearing through an Agreement between this theater and Actor's Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**The Director of this production is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
† The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.
Performances:
October 10, 2025 through November 23, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Main Stage Theater THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER, 40 Stow Street, Concord, MA. 01742
TICKETS:
For tickets or more information, contact # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
If you are seeking a timeless show then Umbrella Arts Center presents the musical "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" which just might have you going back for "seconds."
Written by Jonathan Larson, "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" tells the story of an anguished aspiring composer named Jon (Johnny Shea), who lives in 1990's SoHo in New York City.
Larson himself lived in NYC and from his own aspirations ultimately came his masterpiece, the musical “RENT” which, while now may seem at times dated, serves as a reflection of the world Larson knew well.
Before his untimely death at the young age of 35 in 1996, the musical "RENT" obviously resonated with a generation of youth just itself coming of age during this time and seeming to relate to his experiences.
But, if I am being honest here, I have always found "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" a slightly better show if not as massively popular.
Part of this may be because there aren’t as MANY stories being told here, with fewer characters of which we have to try and keep track.
In "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" Jon (obviously Larson but is intentionally kept vague for artistic license) is turning 30 and is panicking that he made the wrong career choice to be a composer.
(Photo: Johnny Shea as “Jon” with Vanessa Calantropo as “Susan” in a moment from the musical "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" by Jonathan Larson, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 23, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Originally conceived as a "rock monologue," Larson workshopped "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" in 1990 and, after his death, the story became resurrected by playwright David Auburn (of Pulitzer Prize-winning play “PROOF” fame), premiering Off-Broadway in 2001.
In 2002, the production was nominated for seven Drama Desk Awards and won an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical.
In 2021, a marvelous Netflix film adaptation of "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Andrew Garfield would result in Garfield receiving a nomination for the Best Actor Oscar for his performance.
By the way, check that movie out sometime (after you see Umbrella Arts' production, of course), if only for one of the most amazing cameo sequences of Broadway legends ever put on film!
The Umbrella Arts Center show works quite well as a three-actor musical, allowing Jon to interact with the other two actors playing Michael (Anthony Pires, Jr.) and Susan (Vanessa Calantropo) while they also portray all the other roles in the show.
Director choreographer Ilyse Robbins has beautifully streamlined the storytelling for "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" keeping us engaged from the moment actor Johnny Shea begins his role as “Jon.”
Shea is completely mesmerizing as Jon who finds himself at a critical crossroad of his life where he may be forced into a decision he is loathed to (perhaps) accept.
(Photo: Anthony Pires, Jr. as “Michael,” Vanessa Calantropo as “Susan” and Johnny Shea as “Jon” in a moment from the musical "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" by Jonathan Larson, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 23, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Because the show is set in 1990, very few residences had home computers or cell phones - and the only “hand-held technology” was most likely something called a "pager" (Google it, kids).
In fact, Robbins has included some exceptionally funny and cleverly choreographed moments using a “phone cord” (that was something that once was attached to phones, also for the benefit of you "younguns" out there).
Jon talks directly to us, including us on his thoughts and dreams and despairs – he also shares his anxiety, in particular he is anxious about the his upcoming workshop “premiere” of his Orwellian-inspired musical, “SUPERBIA.”
As Jon dreads his encroaching 30th birthday, Susan, a struggling dancer that teaches ballet on the side, insists on throwing him a party.
In a captivating performance by Calantropo, we see Susan's commitment to a relationship also coming to a crossroads because Jon is as confused about their direction as a couple as he is about his own direction as an individual.
(Photo: Anthony Pires, Jr. as “Michael” with Johnny Shea as “Jon” in a moment from the musical "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" by Jonathan Larson, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 23, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Pires is a delight to watch as Jon's supportive friend Michael, who has been friends with Jon since they were kids.
Michael gave up his acting dream to pursue a career in marketing because, as he tells Jon, he doesn’t “miss starving.”
Michael even tries to help Jon land a job at his firm, resulting in a hilarious (if also disastrous) scene at a “brainstorming session” where Jon is asked to help in the naming of a cooking fat substitute.
There is a real camaraderie between the three performers, with Pires and Calantropo vacillating between multiple characters, making them fun to watch even when some moments aren’t necessarily calling for us to be amused.
The Umbrella Arts' set for "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" is a scaffolding masterpiece of its own, intricate but simple, and very cleverly structured to offer us different settings with seemingly minimal effort, with the band for the show tucked away in one corner above the stage.
The Umbrella Arts Center band led by music director Jordan Oczkowski on keys nails every single note in the Larson score and is very much a critical component of the musical's overall successful storytelling.
(One minor note: Someone does need to inform either the guitar or bass player - depending on whose back is to the audience - that his tuning keys are reflecting a light off the backdrop, making it look like a huge firefly...or Tinkerbell...has gotten loose in NYC.)
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" by Jonathan Larson, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 23, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
The three actors all are involved in any redressing of the scenes which keeps the show’s 90-minutes (no intermission) at a brisk tempo.
One of the reasons I like the "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" score perhaps even moreso than "RENT" is in the balanced sharing of vocals by the trio of actors.
While the story is clearly about Jon, each actor is given a moment to share their story and also vocally shine, and shine they certainly do.
The entire score is exceptionally performed but some standout songs include “Why” sung by Jon, "Green Green Dress" sung by Jon and Susan, "Johnny Can't Decide" sung by Jon, Susan and Michael and the show’s opener/closer, “30/90.”
Jonathan Larson's "TICK, TICK...BOOM!" continues ticking away at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. through November 23rd, 2025.
So, catch it soon before time runs out.
Coming up in the spring of 2026 at Umbrella Arts Center will be Harper Lee's "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD" (Dramatized by Christopher Sergel) which begins previews in February before premiering on March 1st, 2026.
For tickets or more information, contact Umbrella Arts Center at # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Before "RENT" there was "TICK, TICK...BOOM!"
This autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning composer of "RENT," is the story of a composer and the sacrifices that he made to achieve his big break in theater.
"TICK, TICK...BOOM!" takes you on the playwright/composer's journey through his quarter-life crisis that led to a Broadway blockbuster.
His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city, his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue, and yet Jon is still waiting on tables and trying to write the great American musical.
Set in 1990, this compelling story of personal discovery is presented as a rock musical filled with instantly appealing melodies and a unique blend of musical theater styles.
"Larson's gift for brilliant lyrics and driving music is clear in each of the score's 12 winning songs." – Chicago Sun Times
"Searingly honest, frank, and unabashedly personal." – Chicago Tribune
ABOUT THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER
THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER enriches lives and builds a vibrant and inclusive community through the arts. THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER promotes creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts education programs, performing and visual arts presentations, and community collaborations.
40 Stow Street
Concord, MA. 01742
# 978-371-0820
