When one thinks of Jonathan Larson, Rent is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, for some, his earlier musical, Tick Tick… Boom! is arguably a better watch. Rent had not been performed formally before Larson’s death, which meant that the show remained in a somewhat unfinished form. Tick Tick… Boom is a musical that feels more cohesive and, in some ways, feels as if it has more direction. Sometimes the songs feel so extravagant that they are almost gratuitous, but it works in the musical’s favour, placing an emphasis on the musicianship behind them. In a short, sharp 90 minute show, this means the energy of the cast and audience remains throughout. 

Moving into the Lyric Theatre for just one week, Tick Tick… Boom showed off many of the things that make theatre magic: great songs, a great band and most importantly, a great cast. With a very small number of people on stage, the level of talent in the cast was fabulous, with Elenoa Rokobaro (who played love interest Susan amongst other roles) a particular stand out. Her strong, powerful voice resonated through the Lyric Theatre, with her rendition of “Come to Your Senses” being a particular highlight. It was rich, powerful and everything you would want from an 11 o’clock number (even if it isn’t strictly an 11 o’clock number). 

Elsewhere in the show, Finn Alexander played the role of Michael well, giving the dramatic complexity of his character appropriate weight. His voice was strong and powerful, although he did falter in some moments (perhaps due to sickness). Sheridan Adams and Hamish Johnston also covered a number of minor roles extremely well, switching between characters with ease. 

Lead Hugh Sheridan brought an endearing nervousness to the role of Jon and the strength of his acting carried the structure of the show (he was on stage for nearly all of the 90 minutes). At times, his voice didn’t match the strengths of the other cast members, often succumbing to the high notes of iconic songs like “30/90” and losing his timbre at the extreme ends of his register. Nonetheless, this made the performance feel even more earnest, which fit the character Sheridan was playing. Indeed, Sheridan opens up and explores all the subtleties and complexities of a very well-written role and does so with the ease of a seasoned performer. While his voice might not quite be at the level of some other musical theatre stars, the strength of his acting and dramatic skill is worth the price of admission alone. 

The direction and setting in the show were not flamboyant but this worked to the show’s strengths as it allows the focus to be on the performers, their characterisation and exploring the subtleties of the song. This musical thrived on the strength of its source material and its excellent cast and really deserves a longer season (or at least, a return season sometime in the future). It is a fabulous work and is more than well worth a watch!

Rating: ★★★★

Tick Tick… Boom! plays until 26^th April. For more information, click here.