Tick, Tick... Boom!
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Tick, Tick... Boom!: A West End Autobiographical Gem
"Tick, Tick... Boom!" premiered in London’s West End at the Duchess Theatre from May 13 to May 17, 2009, as part of the Notes from New York season, marking its first full West End run after years of development. Written and composed by Jonathan Larson, with script consultation by David Auburn, this rock musical directed by Hannah Chissick and produced by Aria Entertainment ran for a limited five-show engagement. Starring Paul Keating as Jon, it followed a journey from Larson’s 1990 solo "rock monologue" to a three-actor piece after his 1996 death, reflecting his own struggles as an aspiring composer. With over 4,000 global performances since its 2001 Off-Broadway debut, its brief 2009 West End stint introduced London to a raw, personal prelude to Larson’s "Rent," cementing its cult status.
A Composer’s Countdown to Thirty
Set in 1990 New York City, the story centers on Jon, a composer nearing his 30th birthday, wrestling with doubts about his career in musical theatre. Waiting tables at the Moondance Diner, he’s torn between his faltering musical "Superbia" and pressures from girlfriend Susan, who urges marriage and a move out of the city, and best friend Michael, now thriving in marketing after quitting acting. As a crucial workshop looms, Jon faces a ticking clock will his dreams ignite, or will he abandon them? This semi-autobiographical tale mirrors Larson’s own pre-"Rent" frustrations, ending with a bittersweet resolve to keep creating, a poignant echo of his life cut short at 35 by an aortic aneurysm.
A Rock Score That Resonates
Larson’s music fuses rock with theatrical flair, delivering songs like “30/90,” “Therapy,” and “Louder Than Words,” performed by a tight band under Gareth Bretherton’s 2009 musical direction. “Come to Your Senses,” originally from "Superbia," and “Why,” with its Sondheim-inspired tritone nod to "West Side Story," showcase Larson’s influences Stephen Sondheim looms large, even phoning Jon in the show. The 2001 cast recording, featuring Raúl Esparza, captures the score’s raw energy, though “Boho Days,” a Larson demo, hints at its evolution. In London, the music’s urgency amped by Stephen Oremus’ vocal arrangements struck a chord, earning praise for its “vibrant” sound despite the short run.
A Trio of West End Talents
Paul Keating led the 2009 cast as Jon, channeling Larson’s angst with vocal prowess, joined by Julie Atherton as Susan, whose dance background enriched her longing, and Leon Lopez as Michael, embodying ambition’s cost. The three-actor format, crafted by Auburn post-Larson’s death, saw them juggle multiple roles diner patrons, parents, agents adding versatility to Nik Corrall’s minimalist design. Keating’s “charismatic” turn (The Stage) anchored a cast that brought Larson’s world to life, their chemistry echoing the Off-Broadway original with Esparza, Amy Spanger, and Jerry Dixon. Chissick’s staging, with Ben Rogers’ lighting, kept the focus on their emotional stakes.
A Lasting West End Echo
From its 1990 Second Stage workshop as "Boho Days" to its 2009 Duchess run, "Tick, Tick... Boom!" has woven a unique path off-West End at Park Theatre in 2017 (May 3–27), a 2021 Netflix film by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and over 4,000 shows worldwide by 2025. The 2009 West End debut, though brief, joined a legacy of accolades seven Drama Desk nominations, an Outer Critics Circle Award and a 2016 Off-Broadway revival with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Its Duchess stint, a “small but potent” triumph (Time Out), fueled ongoing UK tours, like Theatr Clwyd’s 2024 run. As of March 2025, Larson’s ticking clock still inspires, a West End spark in a global flame.