Angelwalk's Brian Goldberg Releases Plea for Help with TICK, TICK....BOOM! Ticket Sales

Angelwalk Theatre's Artistic Producer Brian Goldenberg has just sent out a plea to the community for support on the company's current production of Jonathan Larson's TICK, TICK...BOOM!, playing through Oct. 6. You can read his entire letter below.

"I am writing to you today because we need your help.

As you may be aware, we recently raised the curtain on our 5th Anniversary Season with our current production of tick, tick... BOOM!, running until October 6th. Written by RENT creator Jonathan Larson, tick, tick... BOOM! is the only other musical that Larson wrote before his sudden passing and tells some of the backstory around his writing the blockbuster Tony-Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical.

I am very proud of this production, which has been beautifully directed by Tim French and musically directed by Anthony Bastianon, with a stellar cast featuring Parris Greaves, Ken Chamberland, and Laura Mae Nason. Audience and critical response has been overwhelmingly positive and many patrons have been describing this show as the best Angelwalk production to date.

Sadly, and surprisingly, our ticket sales have been extremely low. I am deeply aware that this has become the trend in our industry, and theatre companies across the country are closing their doors as these trends become the norm. When we started Angelwalk Theatre in 2009, we did so with the intention of creating an alternative to the norm, or status quo, by producing musical theatre that was designed for small spaces, small casts, and 'smaller' budgets. We had a vision of producing an Off-Broadway style of musical theatre that was largely unproduced in Toronto and contributing a meaningful art form to the Toronto cultural landscape. I believe wholeheartedly that we have achieved this vision.

However, the challenge for survival looms and I am turning to you today for your support. If you are able to join us at one of the remaining performances of tick, tick... BOOM!, I promise you that you will not be disappointed. Jonathan Larson's autobiographical story is powerful and moving on its own, but factor in the events surrounding his death and RENT's influence on musical theatre in the 90's, and the show takes on heightened meaning. There are many hints and insights into Larson's life pre-RENT, which tells his story of turning 30 and questioning where his life is headed. Audiences of all ages have told us that they easily identified and related to all of the characters.

If you are not able to join us at the show (now until October 6th), please consider gifting tickets for a friend. The artists involved in this production deserve full houses and this is truly the best way to show your support.

Additionally, we are holding our 5th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, October 19th and I invite you to join us on this evening as well. Featuring Jennifer Walls and Gabi Epstein, Liza & Barbra...Together At Last will showcase these amazing artists in the title roles of Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand. Complete with a Silent Auction, Prizes and Food, not only is this a night not to miss, but it's also a great way to help support the work that we do.

Tickets for tick, tick... BOOM! and Liza & Barbra...Together At Last can be purchased online at www.angelwalk.ca, by phone at 1-855-985-2787, or in person at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. For groups of 10 or more, please call 647-351-5055.

To everyone who has supported tick, tick... BOOM! and our 5th Anniversary Season, I am extremely grateful for your generosity and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and for your continued support for Angelwalk Theatre."