TICK,TICK...BOOM! Finds Harmony at Princeton Summer Theater!

TICK, TICK...BOOM! an autobiographical pop musical based on the life of composer Jonathan Larson (RENT), kicks off the Princeton Summer Theater season with an intimate portrayal of a young artist's countdown to success or failure. The "Boom" in Jon's case is his 30th birthday and the industry reception of a workshop of his latest musical. Ticking along are questions about friendship, romance, and how long to hang on as an artist waiting tables, waiting for recognition, and waiting for a break-out moment that defines the future.

The audience may find a particular duality while pondering the plot, aware that in "real life" the composer did make it big and yet time still ran out. Larson died at age 35 from an aortic dissection.

Performers Isaac Piecuch, Allison Spann, and Chibueze Ihuoma are musically gifted and some of the most enjoyable moments in this small-scale production come during harmonies and duets that showcase the promise not only of this young cast, but of the young composer, a glimpse back into the yearning and originality that would eventually become a hallmark of RENT. But the staging and pace often lack tension, and this PST musical is a departure from the previous PST musical offerings in both scale and execution. It is best appreciated as 90-minutes of songs and a bittersweet look back at a particular moment in the life of an artist.

With UNCOMMOM WOMEN and OTHERS by the late Wendy Wasserstein slated as the next production, this PST season promises to feature talented artists who dealt with the defining issues of their eras and who died before their primes.

TICK, TICK...BOOM!, a musical by Jonathan Larson. David Auburn, Script Consultant. Vocal Arrangements and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus. Directed by Victoria Davidjohn. With Isaac Piecuch, PST company member Allison Spann, and Chibueze Ihuoma.

Performances for Tick, Tick...Boom! run June 21st - July 8th every Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm, and select Wednesdays at 8pm at Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University.

A talkback will occur after the evening performances on Friday, June 22nd , June 29th and July 6th with the director, cast and creative team.

Tickets are $29.50 for general admission, $24.50 for students and matinees. Season subscriptions for o $79 (over a 30% discount), which ensures a reserved seat for all four main stage shows this season. To order tickets, visit

http://www.princetonsummertheater.org/tickets or call the PST box office at 1-732-997-0205

Photo credit: Sarah Golobish