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REVIEW: Creativity underway in ‘Tick, Tick…BOOM!’ at Umbrella Arts Center

Posted on November 12 by The Sleepless Critic

Jon feels he is nearing the end of an era…his 30^th birthday.

Creatively directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins with lively music direction by Jordan Oczkowski, Umbrella Arts Stage Company continues Jonathan Larson’s ambitious musical Tick, Tick…BOOM! Live and in person at Umbrella Arts in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, November 23. This introspective and humorous musical journey runs 90 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Once a 2004 Off-Broadway musical, Tick, Tick…BOOM! was translated into a 2021 award-winning Netflix film adaptation directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and scored an Academy award-nomination for Andrew Garfield before taking the stage at numerous theater companies worldwide. While creatively runs wild in the Netflix film, the Umbrella Arts musical is where you find the spark.

Anthony Pires Jr.* Vanessa Calantropo and Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Set in January 1990, Tick, Tick…BOOM! Is a fascinating semi-autobiographical rock musical about Jonathan Larson, a struggling writer and composer living in New York City years before he created his hit rock musical, RENT. A writer writes about what one knows and so much of this story offers glimpses into Larson’s inspiration for that wildly-successful musical.

However, this is about the struggle and this musical is brimming with it. The painstaking work of creativity and all that could go wrong illuminates Tick, Tick…BOOM! as Larson struggles to keep it all together to achieve what at times seems impossible, especially in New York City. Tick, Tick…BOOM! is not only about Jonathan Larson’s frantic life, but it is also an ode to the artist and the struggle to live that extraordinarily competitive dream while just skirting out and skimming by trying to get a chance.

Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Erik Diaz’s barebones set symbolically offers a different approach to this production featuring dual level scaffolding (also featured in Rent) a weathered apartment balcony, staircase and a NYC skyline. It may symbolically stand as a work in progress much like this particular period in Jon’s life. However, Johnny Shea who delivers Jon’s detailed narration stretches the imagination to conjure up each setting such as a stainless steel kitchen, butcher block table, vast views and a luminous city skyline in a purple mist, part of Ben Rush’s warm and atmospheric lighting.

Anthony Pires Jr.* and Johnny Shea* and Vanessa Calantropo in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

At its creative center is likable narrator and lead Johnny Shea who is instantly earnest, introspective and charming as the frenetic Larson on the eve of Larson’s 30^th birthday. The unconventional, imaginative, and quick-thinking Larson divides his time between writing, composing and working at the Moondance Diner. However, music and writing naturally pours out of Larson’s soul and he is often consumed by it at the expense of everything else.

For forward-thinking Larson, turning 30 is a looming chasm that soaks up every ounce of his time until that odious deadline demonstrated in the urgent and memorable number, 30/90. Shea as Larson considers turning thirty as the end of youth, but it is certainly not too old to accomplish remarkable things. Perhaps Larson always felt like he was running out of time.

This often lighthearted musical features a dynamic, infectious, and multi-dimensional soundtrack about living in your 20s in New York City and how life evolves. RENT’s influence is unmistakably evident in the catchy and humorous number featuring Anthony Pires Jr. as Michael and Shea in No More which also reflects the strong camaraderie between best friends Michael and Jon. It is also easy to recognize the roots that will develop Larson’s future work in Shea’s tender number Why.

Anthony Pires Jr.* and Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Inside the Moondance Diner, Sunday features beautiful harmonies and clever quips. Vanessa Calantropo as Susan and Shea as Jon deliver a flirty duet with Green Green Dress. Therapy is a fantastic and humorous number about the miscommunication of love and the chipper and lighthearted Sugar is great fun. Johnny Can’t Decide harmoniously and pensively depicts the agonizing struggle living in the uncertainty of your dream or being practical which is a prevalent theme throughout the production.

With rich vocal arrangement and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus, this intimate onstage band can impressively jam and the musical’s small and mighty cast interacts with the band while delivering rich and powerful harmonies along this uninterrupted musical journey. With the exception of Shea as Jon, Anthony Pires Jr. as Michael and Vanessa Calantropo as Susan smoothly and humorously capture many other roles as Jon allows his story to unfold. Calantropo especially stands out for the soaring number, Come to Your Senses.

Anthony Pires Jr.* Johnny Shea* and Vanessa Calantropo in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Tick, tick BOOM! explores the little victories, the larger victories, and the gut-wrenching defeats in Larson’s personal and professional world. However, what is genuinely important becomes poignantly clear and what truly inspires his work changes as the musical progresses.

Umbrella Arts Stage Company continues Jonathan Larson’s ambitious musical Tick, Tick…BOOM live and in person through Sunday, November 23 at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Seizing the day in harmony in North Shore Music Theatre’s ‘Rent’

Posted on September 30 by The Sleepless Critic

Why do things happen the way they do?

Chance meetings and a string of random events bring a group of Bohemian artists together in profound ways as they struggle to survive in NYC. Spanning one year from 1989-1990, North Shore Music Theatre’s Rent reveals a striking and darker interpretation than previous versions I have witnessed. Perhaps it’s a reflection of our troubled times, but its powerful and optimistic message still remains that the best way to cope with suffering is by holding onto each other.

Directed poignantly yet hopefully with sharp choreography by Marcos Santana and vigorous music direction by Robert L. Rucinski, North Shore Music Theatre continued Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer prize-winning musical Rent live and in person at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts through Sunday, September 28. This rock musical has adult themes and ran two hours and 35 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and here what is next in North Shore Music Theatre’s season.

The cast of “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

Having had phenomenal success as an acclaimed hit musical in the 90s and as one of the longest running shows on Broadway, Rent took the stage around the world and was adapted into a film of the same name in 2005. It recently celebrated its 30^th anniversary since its stage debut and it has been nearly 30 years since its Broadway debut. In 2021, Lin-Manuel Miranda also directed the acclaimed film adaptation of autobiographical musical, Tick Tick Boom, based on Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s life starring Andrew Garfield.

Based on Puccini’s world famous opera, La bohème , Rent is a daring, joyous, raw, and poignant musical about a group of 20-somethings living in New York City during the AIDS epidemic. It explores love, loss, hardships, dreams and realizations all while this group struggles to make the rent.

he cast of “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

A chalkboard graffiti-riddled floor, tattered rafters, scaffolding, glowing Christmas bulbs, street lights and a sporadically-lit and weathered neon sign illuminated by José Santiago’s vibrant lighting is just a portion of Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s industrial-inspired sliding set design depicting Mark and Roger’s East Village loft in Manhattan. Rent truly comes to life through video designer Beth Truax’s cinematic touch and Alex Berg’s bustling sound design.

Like nostalgia of the era displayed in North Shore Music Theatre’s previous production of Grease, Rent showcases its own remnants of 80s and 90s nostalgic flair in combat boots, flannels, pay phones, corded phones, amusing answering machine messages and newspapers.

After a quieter opening scene, Rent hits the ground running with fervor, urgency, and pulsing chorography in its title track. This theatre-in-the-round’s immersive experience featured various incidents of kindness and conflict occurring in several parts of the theatre and this trend continued several more times ranging from humor to frustration in building intensity.

Aaron Alcaraz (Mark Cohen) with the cast “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

Driven by powerful and edgy vocals, Rent’s characters are a combination of dreamers and those firmly planted in the present doing whatever it takes to get through everyday life. Aaron Alcarez depicts ambitious and determined Mark, an aspiring documentary filmmaker living with his contemplative and temperamental roommate Roger, portrayed movingly by Austin Turner. Roger is HIV-positive, a recovering drug addict and with guitar in hand, vows to write one amazing song before he passes demonstrated in rising triumph in One Song Glory. However, when Didi Romero as vivacious Mimi shows up at their apartment, life takes an unexpected turn demonstrated in a playful duet and instant chemistry with Turner in Will You Light My Candle and the sincere and tender, I Should Tell You.

Didi Romero as Mimi Marquez in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

In fishnet tights and layered clothing, Romero is daring, charming and bold as free spirit Mimi fueled by Romero’s provocative and soaring vocals Out Tonight, possessing more than a passing resemblance to Idina Menzel who portrayed Mimi in the 2005 film. Robert Garcia approaches complex Angel with a self-assured kindness and less splashy demeanor in Are You Okay while Aaron Arnel Harrington warmly portrays Collins with a distinctive deep baritone.

Isaiah Rose Garcia (Angel Dumott Schunard) and Aaron Arnell Harrington (Tom Collins) in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

A jumble of ostentatious ego, stubbornness and high maintenance, Cate Hayman puts gusto in Maureen, especially in a gutsy and unhinged rendition of Over the Moon. Level headed and hardnosed lawyer Joanne, portrayed with powerful vocals and a guttural growl by Kat Rodriguez, rocks in Take me or Leave Me, but one of the best moments of the musical occurs between Alcaraz and Rodriguez in a catchy, chiming and playful harmony in Tango: Maureen.

Kat Rodriguez (Joanne Jefferson) and Aaron Alcaraz (Mark Cohen) in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

Grave issues such as homelessness, capitalism, promiscuity and drug addiction are often laid bare in Rent and is partially demonstrated in the bold La Vie Boehme. Romance in this musical makes an impact, but what far exceeds the romance is the incredible harmony and camaraderie this group creates together. Christmas Bells, Happy New Year, and Another Day soar, but nothing quite compares to the musical’s iconic number, Seasons of Love in which the audience shared a moment of stunned silence in awe of the stirring power of that moment.

Aaron Alcaraz (Mark Cohen), Aaron Arnell Harrington (Tom Collins), Austin Turner (Roger Davis), Didi Romero (Mimi Marquez), Cate Hayman (Maureen Johnson), and Kat Rodriguez (Joanne Jefferson) in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

North Shore Music Theatre continued Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer prize-winning musical Rent live and in person at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts through Sunday, September 28. Click here for more information and here for here for what is next in North Shore Music Theatre’s season.

REVIEW: Creativity runs wild in Andrew Garfield’s Oscar-nominated portrayal as Jonathan Larson in Netflix’s ‘tick, tick…BOOM!’

Posted on February 17, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

Though at times he has traveled under the radar from stage to screen aside from his turn as our friendly neighborhood Spiderman, Andrew Garfield has most deservedly been on the map lately. Though he was sadly overlooked by the Academy as the emotional center of David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin’s 2010 acclaimed drama, The Social Network, Garfield has finally scored an Academy Award-nomination for the musical hit, tick tick…BOOM! available on Netflix. Garfield has a knack for dynamic performances and though everyone is looking at Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Garfield also brought a wealth of humor, quirkiness, and manipulative prowess to his portrayal of TV Evangelist Jim Bakker.

Once an Off-Broadway play, tick, tick…BOOM’s film adaptation is available now on Netflix and directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film is currently Oscar-nominated for Best Actor for Andrew Garfield and Best Film Editing and Garfield has a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

As Lin-Manuel Miranda was once a struggling writer himself, it is not surprising he is the director of the Academy Award-nominated musical tick, tick…BOOM!, a fascinating semi-autobiographical story about Jonathan Larson, a struggling writer living in New York City years before he created his hit rock musical, RENT. A writer writes about what one knows and so much of this story offers glimpses into Larson’s inspiration for that wildly-successful musical.

However, this is about the struggle and this musical film is brimming with it. The painstaking work of creativity and all that could go wrong illuminates tick, tick…BOOM! as Larson struggles to keep it all together to achieve what at times seems impossible, especially in New York City. tick, tick…BOOM! is not only about Jonathan Larson’s frantic life, but it is also an ode to the writer and the struggle to live that extraordinarily competitive dream while just skirting out and skimming by trying to get a chance.

At its center is narrator and lead Andrew Garfield who brings a driving intensity and delivers an electrifying performance as the frenetic Larson on the eve of Larson’s 30^th birthday. The unconventional, deeply creative, and quick-thinking Larson divides his time between writing and working at the Moondance Diner. Look for Lin-Manuel Miranda as a short order cook. However, music and writing naturally pours out of Larson’s soul and he is often consumed by it at the expense of everything else. For forward-thinking Larson, turning 30 is a looming chasm that soaks up every ounce of his time until that odious deadline as he demonstrates in the catchy and memorable number, 30/90. Thirty is not old, but maybe Larson always felt like he was running out of time.

The musical features a dynamic, infectious, and multi-dimensional soundtrack about living in your 20s in New York City and how life changes. RENT’s influence is unmistakably evident in the lighthearted and humorous numbers, Boho Days and No More. It is also easy to recognize the roots that will develop Larson’s future work. Inside the Moondance Diner, Sunday features beautiful harmonies that include some of Broadway’s biggest stars. Therapy is a fantastic and humorous number about the miscommunication of love. The rap-infused Play Game depicts the struggle between living out the uncertainty of your dream or entering the corporate world which is a prevalent theme throughout the film.

tick, tick BOOM! explores the little victories, the bigger victories, and the gut-wrenching defeats in Larson’s personal and professional world. However, what is genuinely important becomes painfully clear and what truly inspires his work changes as the film progresses.

tick, tick BOOM! is currently streaming on Netflix. Click here for more information on RENT’s 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour.

Acclaimed producer Sue Gilad talks Tony nominations, girl power, and heartwarming musical, ‘A Taste of Things to Come’

Posted on April 11, 2018 by The Sleepless Critic

From the award-winning Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 to Angels in America, renowned theatre producer Suzanne Gilad has an eye for the next big show. Boasting an array of memorable tunes, Sue’s current musical project, A Taste of Things to Come, has been described as Jersey Boys meets Betty Crocker meets the 60s feminist movement. It takes the stage at Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse through April 29.

Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

Sue discusses getting Tony nominations, bringing A Taste of Things to Come to Chicago, and Turtle Wax. Click here for more information and tickets to A Taste of Things to Come.

Sleepless Critic: You are involved in a number of well known projects such as Angels in America, Madame Butterfly, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and upcoming project, The Other Josh Cohen. What first brought you into the theatre world?

Sue Gilad: I was a performer a long time ago and then started doing voice overs, which took me down a completely separate and fun path. A few years ago, a friend created a show and asked me if I would help shape it. I discovered being a producer meant that I could be responsible and still have a life. We get to be creative in terms of what kinds of work we bring to the public to see and hopefully open their minds and hearts. It made sense and there are still relatively few female producers in the business, although that is changing. There is a lot of growth for that.

I would jump Broadway projects as a co-producer and that is what is happening with the recently opened Angels in America. People ask me if they can meet Andrew Garfield who delivers a tremendous and transformative performance in the show. I’ve never seen him like that.

SC: What was it like for you when Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 got multiple Tony nominations?

SG: It was such a big honor that the show received the most Tony nominations of any show last year. The best part about getting the nominations was The Great Comet was a big creative risk. I don’t think anyone thought it was going to be on Broadway with its tiny stage and cast. When it was at the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Diane Paulus wanted to take the show which was in the round and remount it into proscenium theatre. She did to great acclaim and it became an immersive production, unlike anything Broadway has ever seen before.

Libby Servais (Broadway: Wicked, Lysistrata Jones), Cortney Wolfson (Broadway: The Addams Family, Les Miserables) Broadway’s Linedy Genao (On Your Feet! Original Broadway Cast), Marissa Rosen (Off-Broadway’s The Marvelous Wonderettes) Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

SC: A Taste of Things to Come has an all female crew. Was it planned that way?

SG: Dare I say that the women were the most qualified for the job? A Taste of Things to Come, written by Hollye Levin and Debra Barsha, is based on Hollye’s experience of her mom and a part of it tells the story of the life her mom had growing up. Then director Lorin Latarro came onboard when the show debuted at Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania. Everybody loved her and she brings tremendous things to the show.

The show features four women that age from age 25 in 1957 to age 35 in 1967. Everything blows open in the beginning of Act 2 when they are 10 years older and wiser with more opportunities for women and delicious secrets about race, religion, and sexuality which is not something you really talked about in the 1950s. By the 1960s, there was a real space for it. You get to see these women’s journeys during an incredible moment in history.

SC: What was it about A Taste of Things to Come that grabbed your attention?

SG: I saw a rehearsal or reading of this show and loved it. It gave me the opportunity to articulate my gratitude to the generation before me that broke through so many glass ceilings I didn’t even know existed.

Women of that generation either didn’t work or they became teachers and nurses so my generation can become doctors and superintendents. Then my kids’ generation can do whatever they want for work or nothing for work. It’s just extraordinary and gave me a window into the past. I can share it with my mom and, if I wanted to, bring my teenage daughters to it. It’s a celebration of friendship, solidarity, and kind of interestingly timed with the advent of the ‘me too’ and ‘times up’ movement that women in their time also had to take a stance for things that were beyond their comfort zone or what was socially acceptable at the time.

The cast of ‘A Taste of Things to Come’ Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

SC: The New York Times has described A Taste of Things to Come as ‘a recipe for catchy musical theatre.’ Please tell me a little about the music and your favorite songs.

SG: Composer Debra Barsha worked on Jersey Boys on Broadway for ten years so it starts out with the popular tunes of the 1950s. Ten years later, things become a lot groovier and it had a really distinctive 60s sound. My favorite song has been shifting as I get to know it better, but today I love the song, Blessings in Disguise. It’s a testament to the things we think will challenge us which are actually the things that make us stronger and give us unexpected gifts. My other favorite song is In Time, the final song of the show. The entire cast sings it and they look back at what they have been through together as individuals and as a group of friends. The best things happen in time.

SC: What has it been like putting the show together?

Since the show is set in Winnetka, A Taste of Things to Come is making its home in Chicago. It’s been fun listening to the audio discs during previews because of the way the audience giggles with any Winnetka or Chicago reference. We were very lucky to get New York Broadway actresses but we also have an understudy that can swing all four roles. Madison Kauffman is a Chicago native who just graduated from college. She came in for the first day of rehearsal completely off book for all four roles. Her level of excitement and passion is so thrilling.

The cast of ‘A Taste of Things to Come’ Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

SC: What kind of support is the show looking for?

SG: We have a great sponsor based out of Chicago called Turtle Wax. It is in the script because it was wax that men were using in 1957 for their cars. We would be open for Chicago-based companies to sponsor the show because we do have a wonderful, primarily female, well-educated audience.

SC: What is in store for the future of the show?

SG: We have wonderful theatres interested in having the show at their theatre so we might take the show on tour. Then we’re hoping to get it licensed so every school, regional theatre, community, and worldwide theatre can perform it and share the victories of womanhood.

A Taste of Things to Come continues at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago through April 29. Click here for more information and for tickets. Follow A Taste of Things to Come on Facebook and Twitter.

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