BWW Interviews: Nicholas Park in ATGs TICK, TICK BOOM! at Hamilton Stage

American Theater Group (ATG) will present tick, tick...BOOM! at Hamilton Stage of Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) in Rahway from January 28th through February 8th. This is an autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the creator of RENT. It tells the story of an aspiring composer who questions is life choices on the eve of his thirtieth birthday. Nicholas Park plays a starring role as Jon in tick, tick BOOM. Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview him about his career and the show. Park shared some thoughtful and clever insights with us.

Park has been seen in the off-Broadway productions of Bedbugs!!!,Mr. Irresistible, and Dear Edwina. His regional credits include All Shook Up, Altar Boyz, Fiddler on the Roof (Virginia Repertory Theatre), James and the Giant Peach (Goodspeed Musicals), RENT as well as productions at Walnut Street Theatre and Theatre of Stars.

We asked Park when his interest in the theater started. "My love of theatrics started at a very young age. There is a family video somewhere in my house of my dad and I dancing to "The Hokey Pokey" sung by Little Richard. It was in the kitchen and it was for family but it was my debut and you can just see that I was LIVING. The moment I caught the "theatre bug" was in the second grade. I signed up to help a teacher make root beer floats for the cast of West Side Story at the local high school. I remember hiding in the back of the auditorium and watching the girls perform 'America'. It was the most exciting thing I had ever seen. I thought, 'I want to do that someday.' Unfortunately, I have yet to be cast as Anita in West Side Story but I'm still holding out hope."

Park has had some excellent mentors who have encouraged his career. He commented, "I have had a lot of wonderful people in my life who have helped to guide my growth as a performer. So many of my college professors supplied me with amazing advice and tools, especially Forrest McClendon, 2011 Tony nominee for The Scottsboro Boys. Not only is he full of advice and insight that are truly invaluable, but he is also one of the most beautiful people I know. On more occasions than I can count, he has inspired me to be a better performer and person. He dares you to jump and he is always there to catch you if you need him. He makes me feel incredibly brave. Charlotte Cohn, actress and producer, has also been an incredible influence on my professional life. She has talked me off many a ledge and even gave me the amazing opportunity to assist her on the Off-Broadway production of Jason ODell Williams' Handle With Care. That "behind the scenes" glimpse of the theater world taught me so much about the business. Charlotte has been an amazing guide and friend. Lately, my friend Fred Bracken has also been a fantastic influence on my life, professional and personal. He is an incredibly smart businessman and beautiful friend. He has really helped me to sharpen my focus over the last few months."

Park told us a little about the cast and crew of tick, tick...BOOM! "This entire process has been truly amazing. I may even go as far as to say amazeballs! It has been one of the most enjoyable processes I have had the opportunity to be a part of. From day one, Producing Artistic Director Jim Vagias has created such a warm and supportive environment for us to create in. Our entire technical team are bringing their A game to breathe life into the world we have established and our stage managers are fantastically on point. If I drop a line, they pick it up and fling it right back at me. To avoid head injury, I have tried to stop dropping those. Director, Igor Goldin and Assistant Director, Trey Compton have given us inspired direction while still allowing so much room for play and discovery. Vince Di Mura, our musical director, is just plain groovy. Shannon O'Boyle and Michael Luwoye are incredibly gifted performers and I am honored to share the stage with them. They are both so much fun to play with and exploring the depths of this show has been an exciting journey with them by my side. With a team like this...I am feeling pretty hashtag blessed. They are all awesome!"

Park believes that tick, tick...BOOM is a very distinctive show. "I love this show for a lot of reasons. The fact that we get to see more of Jonathan Larson's work is amazing. So many people only know him for RENT but tick, tick...BOOM is fantastic as well. It gives insight into the trials that Jonathan went through before his big break and the struggles that every artist must face. That is another reason I love this show. It highlights our struggle. A lot of people think that because I am an actor in New York I must be on Broadway, right? This show paints a picture of the insecurities and sacrifices that artists face. The choices that we make. Because of this, artists can so easily connect to this show. It speaks to our kind. I am hoping everyone can walk away from this show feeling inspired to follow their passion."

We asked Park if there was anything else he wanted our Broadwayworld.com readers to know. "I can eat and entire large pizza...in one sitting....by myself. I am a board member for Rock & Rawhide (http://www.rockandrawhide.org). Sometimes to get pumped for a performance, I watch Lea Michelle's, Don't Rain On My Parade from Season 1 of Glee. It really does it for me."

For more information about Nicholas Park, visit his web site at www.nicholasparkactor.com.

Performances of tick, tick...BOOM! will be on stage through Sunday, February 8th. Tickets are $35, with $20 student and senior tickets with valid ID. Groups of 10 or more receive 10% off. For tickets, visit www.americantheatergroup.org; call (732) 499-8226; or in person at the Union County Performing Arts Center box office located at 1601 Irving Street. Hamilton Stage is convenient by car or public transit with plenty of free on-site parking.

tick, tick...BOOM! is sponsored in part by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International.

Photo Credit: Matt Pilsner

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