We are very pleased to bring back the same cast for this outstanding production.
Show dates: January 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20, 2008. Friday and Saturday 8:00 P.M.; Sundays 3:00 P.M.
All seats: $15.00 plus $3.00 surcharge. All seats reserved.
Students and Seniors - $2.00 discount with proper ID
For tickets contact the Woodstock Opera House or call 815-338-5300
Visa and Mastercard accepted.
Rob Scharlow as Jon
Christine Pfenninger as Susan and
Jeff Cook(front) as Michael |
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Opera House Gets a Second BOOM!
After a one weekend successful run last year, MarcoWoods Productions, Inc. is proud to present the musical genius of Johnathan Larson - the creator behind the world wide phenomenon known as RENT – with a second run of their hit production of tick, tick…BOOM!
“Tick, Tick…BOOM! is a musical look at the courage it takes to follow your dreams. The show is Jonathan Larson's autobiographical tale of a young composer on the brink of turning 30 and falling into oblivion. His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city (TICK,), his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue (TICK...), yet Jon is still waiting on tables and trying to write the great American musical (BOOM!). Containing fourteen songs, ten characters, three actors, and a band, Tick, Tick... BOOM! takes you on the playwright/composer's journey that led to the Broadway blockbuster, RENT. Set in 1990, this traditional book musical is filled with instantly appealing melodies, and a unique blend of pop and musical theatre styles. Everyone, regardless of age, will love this youthful, endearing, and thoughtful piece, and will surely embrace the universal ideal of holding onto your dreams through life's most difficult challenges.”
“Larson completed Tick, Tick…BOOM! in 1991, and at the time, the show was a ‘rock monologue’ entitled Boho Days, which was later expanded and renamed "30/90" and again to (as it is now known) Tick, Tick... BOOM!. This piece, written for only Larson with a piano and rock band, was intended to be a response to his feelings of rejection caused by the failure of his show Superbia. The show played off-Broadway at the Charles Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village, as well as at the Village Gate in the Upper West Side.” After Larson’s unexpected death in January of 1996, the day of RENT’s off-Broadway opening, friends and family redeveloped Tick, Tick…BOOM! over the years by creating the three character cast. From that point, the show became a hit and has toured across America and Europe for the past several years.
“Jonathan’s work was given to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. in December of 2003. The Jonathan Larson Collection is a new addition to its major holdings in the area of musical theater. The collection documents Larson’s surprisingly prolific output, including numerous musicals, revues, cabarets, pop songs, dance and video projects – both produced and unproduced.”
MarcoWoods Productions, Inc. has been around the Woodstock area since 2004. MarcoWoods has brought the community such stimulating productions as The Dining Room, Love Letters, Steel Magnolias, Hate Mail and Picasso at the Lapin Agile.
Tick, Tick…BOOM! is directed and choreographed by Mark Mahallak and music and vocal directed by Tom Steffens. The cast includes Jeff Cook as Michael, Christine Pfenninger as Susan and Rob Scharlow as Jon. Executive Producers, Lou and Janie Czarny; Light Designer, Paul Bayer; Props, Karen Jorgensen; Set Designer(s) Mark Mahallak and Lou Czanry; Accompanist/Piano, Barb Klein.
This production contains some adult language and adult themes which may not be suitable for younger children.
tick, tick…BOOM! explosive
Review by Lisa Kelly - Woodstock Independent
The old established musicals are great. People can revisit them endlessly taking comfort in the familiar stories and songs. That is good. “tick, tick…Boom! isn’t like that, yet, but in many ways it is even better.
Set in 1990, “tick, tick…Boom!” is the poignant autobiographical story of Jonathan Larson, a struggling composer approaching his 30th birthday. The title refers both to the ticking clock as he nears this self-declared, benchmark birthday and the progress of the time bomb as he fears it is creeping toward the detonation of his lifelong dream. He wants to revolutionize musical theatre with his work but suspects he may not realize that goal.
As a struggling artist supporting himself as a waiter, Jon observes that “everyone we know wants to do something else.” That includes his best friend, Michael, who has already abandoned acting for a successful career in corporate America. And his girlfriend Susan is choosing to flee New York and her aspirations as a dancer to teach in New England. He wonders if he has stayed on the train way past his stop.
There are only three actors in the play. The part of Jon is played by Rob Scharlow. He has a spectacular voice and a lot of stamina as he is in all but one of the musical numbers. He gives a very strong musical and physical performance.
Susan, played by Christine Pfenninger, brings much to the trio. She plays several roles, including that of Jon’s agent, his mother and the star of his current work in production. She demonstrates a lovely voice and versatility as she tries to support and encourage Jon but cannot disregard her own dreams and needs.
Michael, played by Jeff Cook, has already come to grips with the mortality of his artistic career. He attempts to spare Jon what he sees as an inevitable collision with real life by trying to lead him down a path similar to his own, but it doesn’t work. Cook also plays Jon’s father in the show.
The music and performers are wonderful. The show is clever, funny, insightful and, most of all, very entertaining. The Spartan, multileveled set remains constant as it morphs from several different apartments to the roof, to Central Park among other places. It uses emotion and excellent lighting to become all of these different venues.
The orchestra is secluded in a corner of the stage and does a marvelous job with this diverse and intricate score. The costumes remain monochromatic, providing only an occasional spot of color. It all works. Larson is best known for being the creator of the fabulously successful “Rent.” Tragically, he did not live to see the actual production of either work. This is brilliant music and a wonderful, thought-provoking story.
Not to diminish the value of the old favorites, but Woodstock is fortunate that it has the opportunity to experience the contributions of new and exciting artists. Don’t miss it.
“tick, tick…Boom!” will continue at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18 and 19, and at 3 p.m. Sunday Jan. 20, at the Woodstock Opera House. For tickets or information, call the Opera House at 815-338.5300.
For more information, click on the menu link for Tick Tick Boom
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