Tick, Tick…Boom! the biographical drama, based on the 1990 stage musical of the same name written and directed by Jonathan Larson (who also wrote Rent), this show tells a story of a young man with an incurable disease who wants to leave a legacy. While he struggles to decide how best to do that, his friends try to help him find meaning in his life through various means. The show explores both existential questions as well as day-to-day issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity. He has been struggling with his work for years but he never gave up despite all challenges including money problems and health issues that affect him every day.
What is Tick, Tick…Boom all about?
Tick, Tick…Boom is an American biographical musical drama film. The show is also semi-autobiographical. Larson drew on his own experiences as a young man struggling to find his place in the world. He was just beginning to write the musical when he was diagnosed with AIDS, and he only completed it after he had been given six months to live. The show is all about the choices we make in our lives and how those choices affect not only ourselves but also the people around us. It’s a story that is both moving and relatable, and one that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it.
Who is Jonathan Larson?
Jonathan was an American playwright and composer who won several awards for his work before he tragically died at age 35 due to a fatal heart attack caused by an undiagnosed case of childhood-onset asthma. The show follows him as he deals with love, his career, and his eventual diagnosis. Jonathan Larson was an American composer, playwright, and actor. He is best known for writing the Broadway musicals Rent and Tick, Tick…Boom!. Tick, Tick…Boom! is a show that is both moving and relatable. The entire show is set in a small, cramped apartment, and the focus is squarely on the characters and their interactions. Jonathan Larson wrote Rent during his off-hours while holding a full-time job answering phones at a recording studio in New York City.
Editor Myron Kerstein on ‘tick, tick… Boom!’ and ‘In The Heights’: ‘I always wanted to make a musical’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW] https://t.co/E2g0x24LX8
— Gold Derby (@GoldDerby) December 17, 2021
The Starring Cast:
- Andrew Garfield
- Alexandra Shipp
- Robin De Jesus
- Judith Light
- Vanessa Hudgens
Where was Tick, Tick…Boom filmed?
The show was filmed at various locations in New York City. The apartment used as the main setting is located on West 96th Street, just off of Broadway. The show was filmed on a stage set that looks like Jonathan Larson’s apartment. The show is full of music and features several songs from the Rent soundtrack. It is directed by Lin Manuel Miranda. The film is produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Julie Oh, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you’re a fan of Rent or other biographical dramas such as Hamilton, this film is for you. Larson never got to see his work on Broadway as he died of an aortic aneurysm the night before the final dress rehearsal for Rent.
What can you expect from Tick, Tick…Boom!?
The film is a faithful adaptation of the stage musical, and that means you can expect to see all of your favorite songs performed on screen. First and foremost, the show is a musical. Larson was inspired to write it after seeing the musical Merrily We Roll Along. He has cited that work as well as Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as major influences on his writing. If you’re looking for a show that will make you think, Tick, Tick…Boom is it. The music and lyrics are moving, and the story is powerful. It’s also one of those rare musicals that don’t rely on big dance numbers or a flashy set to keep the audience’s attention.
