Tick, Tick...Boom!

I caught the first preview of Tick, Tick...Boom! tonight. The first thing I should mention is that the show got off to a shaky start. About 12 minutes into the show, during 30/90 the mics completely dropped out and they had to finish the song without any amplification. (Disappointing as It's one of my favorite songs in the show!) They played a portion of the next scene and then they stopped the show and had the actors leave the stage. About ten minutes later they announced that they needed another ten minutes to fix the issue. When it was all said and done it took about 30 minutes to get the issue resolved.

When the show resumed it was quite funny as Nick Blaemire's line "I just sent five years off my life...with a wink to the audience for the long delay.

As for the show, I have to say, having seen the show at City Center, its not quite fair to compare the too. That version at City Center had such an incredible cast and was one of my favorite things that Encores Off-Center series has ever put out. I thought the Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom, and Karen Olivio were all incredible.

This version is a fun, scrappy version of the show. It has a nice downtown feel. You don't need much to put this show on, and this version is no different. A four piece band, 3 actors and a few set pieces and that's it.

The real standout for me is Nick Blaemire. I've always liked him, but I thought he really shined given a lead role here. He's energetic, likeable and in great voice. I liked Ciara Renée, but thought her mike needed to be turned up and she could have projected more. I enjoyed her acting, but often times it was difficult to hear her over the band. George Salazar was ok and did have nice chemistry with his Godspell buddy Nick.

Overall it's an enjoyable evening. I don't think it's ever going to be revolutionary theater, but it's got a nice score and makes for a nice night out.

I was there tonight and loved it. It was the first preview...with that being said, the performances will only get better!

Updated On: 11/8/17 at 01:28 AM

How's the production value? I thought it was awful for John and Jen. Looked like a high school production. Just hideous. But I remember seeing photos of Marry Me a Little and it looked beautiful. And I know they moved to a bigger theater, I suppose for the demand?

I saw it last night and there were no sound issues, although the candles didn't "blow out" at the end and the trio laughed.

I've never seen the show, and this may be the first musical I've had to wait 15 years for (between first getting the cast recording and seeing it). I did think the production values were lacking, but I had a good time and the cast is solid. However, I'm not sure how much of this was due to personal nostalgia, as I had a friend who worked on the original off-Bway production and kept talking to me about it at the time, and trying to get me to experience it as best I could without being there.

Just don't sit too closely if you have a phobia of getting spat on.

Updated On: 10/6/16 at 11:46 AM

I had the pleasure of seeing this beautiful piece of theatre the other night. Yes, it drags at times, its low budget etc, but the music and performances make up for it. Nick, Ciara and George are seriously amazing. Also can I just say how much Nick looks like Larson with the glasses....omg.....getting back to the cast. Nick really captures the personality I would think a struggling artist would have, he has a great voice and his acting is on point. Ciara Renee. no words can describe her performance. Truly remarkable, she has a very powerful voice and she is a very deep actress, she will be the only thing that will bring me back to Wicked, she has to play Elphaba at some point. George Salazar was quite good as well. I thought his acting was better then his singing voice but that wasnt really a big deal. His role is a little awkward in hows it's written IMO.

Yes, the production is lacking in set, audio etc. With that said, I ADORE the set piece on the ceiling, it is so cool and is utilized well in the show. The band was great but I thought the mics on the actors were too loud when speaking but too low when singing.

House was pretty full.

Nick and Ciara are both amazing! I can see both of them transferring to a Broadway version of this show. The score is just as great as ever and the show flies by. Really reminds you of what it's like to turn age 30 in the year 1990 in NYC. Since the characters wear headsets, it's very easy to discern the lyrics as well (over the band). This was way better than the Encores version of the show, which I thought was poorly acted by the leading man there.

Updated On: 10/10/16 at 12:57 PM

I really hope this show and its performers are remembered come award season (obviously not Tony's). Especially Ciara, she is really fantastic!

I found Nick to be perfect in this role. Maybe he was a little strained at times but it worked for me. After all, Jonathan Larson wasn't a singer. Nick puts so much passion into the role that any slight imperfection works to his advantage. His acting is that good - the nerdiness, the neurotic, the hurting, the sad, the endearing - he has it all. He moved me to tears several times, and I found myself enjoying his performance more than Esparza's, McIntyre's, and Miranda's. And to whoever said he looks just like Jonathan Larson, especially with the glasses - yes! It just added another layer to Nick's genuine performance.

I just saw the show. I thought it was wonderful Jonathan's work is so good, and the line “maybe this is it. Maybe I really have written the show that will reinvent musicals for our generation —the Hair of the ‘90s— the cultural lighting rod that will energize the twenty-something generation…,” sent shivers down my spine because that is exactly what Rent is.

Yes, it was definitely a lower-scale production, but I think it works well with it. There are few costume pieces that are shared by all the characters which is cool, and little to no set, so the actors sort of jump on and move around the furniture. The choreography and staging I found to be great, considering the small stage.

The performances were excellent. Nick totally got the character, and although he could not hit all the higher notes as well as Raul, "See Her Smile" was wonderful because it was better placed in his register. Ciara of course has a gorgeous voice and wonderful stage presence, and Michael was hilarious but also heartbreaking. The cast members all hung out after the show and truly took time to talk to each and every person afterwards.

The theatre had a good amount of empty seats. I had bought tickets in advance, yet my friend was able to walk in about a half hour before and get $35 rush tickets that were great seats. I would recommend doing that, because it is certainly worth $35 if not more to see Jonathan's story and work as told by this beautiful cast.

I would love to see this show done more professionally. It has the potential to be so powerful, yet I was sort of distracted by the lack of set and wings, and as interesting as the minimalistic approach was, I really want to see it full-out somewhere.

Jish said: "Does anybody know how front row is being sold? It isn't on Telecharge.



"

Todaytix sells them a week in advance. $25 with 12.50 service fee, so the $35 rush is better.

FYI they just cancelled their Wednesday matinee

Today's matinee was cancelled due to an actor illness. Not sure if the evening performance was also cancelled. I had tickets to the matinee and we didn't get word until nearly 1pm for a 2pm curtain.