L.A. Times Raves About Tick Tick Boom (w/Wilson Cruz & Natascia Diaz)

I'VE UPDATED THIS THREAD WITH A LINK TO THIS MORNING'S RAVE REVIEW IN THE TIMES. SCROLL DOWN.
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An exciting event for fans of Jonathan Larson and Rent who live in or around L.A. (That's me, for example.) The Rubicon, in Ventura, who did the breathtaking production of Songs for a New World earlier this year, is presnting the West Coast Premiere Tick Tick Boom! Out actor Wilson Cruz, whom I've been a fan of since My So Called Life, is one of the stars.
Here's what the Rubicon has to say:

"A major theatrical event! Before writing "Rent", for which he posthumously won the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, Jonathan Larson penned a small pop rock musical about his relationship with his girlfriend and best friend, his struggles as a young composer, and his desire to “make it” by his 30th birthday. Larson suddenly died of an aneurism after the final dress rehearsal of "Rent", but both "Rent" and his own story, "tick…tick…BOOM!", live on. Rubicon has obtained special rights to present the West Coast premiere of this landmark show, helmed by the original New York and London director SCOTT SCHWARTZ. WILSON CRUZ ("Rent", TV’s “My So-Called Life”), NATASCIA DIAZ ("West Side Story", "Man of La Mancha") and ANDREW SAMONSKY ("Disney on Record"), star. If you loved last year’s "Songs for a New World", you won't want to miss this high-spirited, hip and hopeful musical about having the courage to chase your dreams."






Rubicon Website

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 11:14 AM

Thanks for the heads up! The site also has a little video preview.

How ironic...I was just watching a DVD of My So-Called Life last night and remember how endearing Wilson Cruz was as Ricky.

I know what you mean about the soap opera effect of the preview. It does look like a commercial for a storyline on The Young and the Restless.

I've been a fan of Wilson Cruz since My So-Called Life too. That's still one of my all-time favorite shows.

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It's especially exciting because it's such a surprise. I saw the most recent show at the Rubicon last month and there was nothing in the theater or in their brochure about Tick Tick Boom coming. Wilson Cruz has been a real hero to me since he first came out around the time of My So Called Life. He's proven that a young openly gay actor can have a very successful career, but even more important is all the work he has done for the gay community. He is one of the most visible gay youth/HIV awareness advocates we have. Plus he's gorgeous and talented to boot. He was at a recent performance at the Pasadena Playhouse which I attended and it was my pleasure and honor to speak with him during intermission and after the show. End of rant. Tick Tick Boom in my neck of the woods is something to shout about! Spread the word, everyone. It'll be worth the drive to Ventura.

Updated On: 11/3/05 at 06:04 PM

Cruz is sexy as all hell...I would go but the last time I went to the Rubicon in Ventura I ended up sitting in traffic for hours on the 101 between midnight and two.

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I didn't know she did it in NYC -- original production, Namo?

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I saw Ms. Diaz as Susan here in New York and she was spectacular (best of the three, if you ask me). She's a stellar performer.

Aw, he was my first Michael in TTB and my first Angel in Rent. He's always there for my first viewing of a Larson show. I really love him, and I'm so glad TTB is getting another run.

I love the CD, even more than Rent. Plus the Rubicon has a track record for superlative productions. Their Songs for a New World was truly one-of-a-kind spectacular. Yeah L.A. theater!!!

The Times says that Tick Tick Boom "makes a deeply moving West Coast debut at Ventura's Rubicon Theatre.

"Adding to the show's impeccable pedigree are versatile Natascia Diaz (from the off-Broadway production) and Wilson Cruz (from the national tour), respectively playing the composer's girlfriend and best friend as well as various supporting characters.

"Relative newcomer Andrew Samonsky shows his acting and singing chops in a stunning turn as the spiky-haired, sweet-voiced Jon."


Full Review in the Times

Why would you say that about someone whom the Times calls "stunning"? Have you seen him perform before? What do you know about Andrew that would lead you to conclude that he's not "all that good?" Why do you choose to say something negative about a performance you haven't seen?

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 06:35 PM

Hopefully your comment "Has Cruz EVER played a hetero character?" was not intended as a criticism or put-down. That being said, I believe that his character in the film Supernova was not specifically gay. Actually, I love it that Cruz, who's been out since My So Called Life, seems to have no problem playing mostly gay roles. It seems to me that playing primarily or even only gay roles isn't really letting yourself be type-cast, as long as each role is different. Gay people, and gay roles, can be of any profession, any age, any social status, any relationship status, and anywhere from very masculine to very feminine. There is a huge gamut of roles which a gay actor who doesn't worry about the sexuality of his characters can portray. I wish more gay actors were like Cruz and not always feeling the need to prove that they can play straight parts as well as gay ones. By the way, Wilson's starring in (yes another gay role) a new movie called Coffee Date, which sounds like it'll be showing up at Gay/Lesbian Film festivals. Check out the website below:


Coffee Date (The Movie)

Updated On: 11/24/05 at 11:40 AM