Book/Music/Lyrics: Jonathan Larson
Director: Kate Wasserberg
Jonathan Larson’s tick, tick… BOOM! opened the newly renovated Theatr Clwyd with a bang – or a boom, perhaps. It’s a musical that leaves you anxious about birthdays and looming life crises, but in the most charming, wonderful way, with a soundtrack that soars and a cast whose voices absolutely do Larson’s writing justice.
With the direction of Kate Wasserberg, this production not only marks her inaugural venture as Artistic Director but also preludes a new era for the theatre itself. The revolving stage becomes a seamless canvas where three cast members play a multitude of individuals living out their struggles to be something, or in the lead’s case, anything.
Ryan Owen steps into the role of Jon with a magnetic intensity, perfectly portraying the essence of a composer teetering on the brink of his thirties – a delightful tangle of nerves and heart. As he fights against the internal, constant ticking of a clock and the sense that time is running out, his portrayal is relatable and, most of all, a reminder.
Christina Modestou as Susan embodies grace and grounding, her performance a nice counterbalance to Jon’s restless energy. Modestou draws laughter from the audience in every character she portrays, and her vocals are especially spectacular, with a notable rendition of Come to Your Senses as Karessa.
Tarik Frimpong’s Michael is a complex but charming character – a man who traded in his dreams of becoming an actor for corporate stability. Frimpong’s performance is nothing short of brilliant, with a voice to match and just the right wit to keep the heavier moments shining.
Designed by Amy Jane Cook, the set is simple but smart, as it shifts easily from tiny New York apartments to diners and city streets, keeping the focus on the characters without ever getting in the way. Katy Morison, in charge of lighting, adds emotion and feeling where necessary.
The music is where it really hits. Bob Broad does a great job pulling out all the heart and chaos in Larson’s songs. They’re full of hope, nerves, and that feeling of trying to hold everything together, with the band sitting up above the cast like voices inside the characters’ heads.
Even twenty years after its debut, tick, tick… BOOM! still feels incredibly relevant. Even where the show trips over itself as Jon spits out his internal monologue, this three-hander allows for beautiful harmonies, stories of hardship and love, and the acknowledgment that there isn’t a time limit in making something of yourself. It’s a fantastic production — absolutely worth seeing.
Runs until 28th June 2025.
