Well done and intimate are words that describe Stone Soup Theatre’s San Diego premiere of Jonathan (“Rent”) Larson’s “tick, tick”¦BOOM!” originally produced off-Broadway in June 2001.
You may recall the story of Larson, who died early Jan. 25, 1996, of an aortic aneurysm. Scheduled to open that night, the eventual Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Rent” opened off Broadway as scheduled.
Knowing this makes “tick, tick”¦BOOM!” all the more poignant. Larson earlier performed “tick, tick” as a one-man show with his own book, music and lyrics. His performances were interrupted by the more pressing need to work on “Rent.” After Larson died, playwright David Auburn was consulted and “tick, tick”¦Boom!” was adapted for three people: Jonathan, his girlfriend Susan and his best friend Michael.
The Stone Soup production, staged by Lindsey Gearhart, features a fine rock band comprising Kenneth Dumiao on guitar, Thomas Hodges on electronic piano, Andrew Hoffman on drums and Zach Pyke on bass. Thanks to Matt Lescalt-Wood’s excellent sound design and music director Charlie Reuter, the band seldom overpowers the singers.
Jim Chatham’s performance as Jonathan is relaxed vocally and dramatically. His is one of the most natural performances ever witnessed in any medium. His balladlike vocals are beautiful, and yet the guy can rock. Eric Vest and Briona Daugherty turn in solid performances as Michael and Susan.
An admitted hater of “Rent” upon first hearing, the reviewer has become fonder of the work during subsequent performances. I find “tick, tick”¦BOOM!” much more simple, intimate and accessible. This production, so appealingly performed with uncredited choreography, is highly recommended, even to those who think they do not like rock music.
“tick, tick”¦BOOM!” continues at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through March 30 at the LAB Theatre at the Academy of Performing Arts, 4580 Alvarado Canyon Road, San Diego. Student rush tickets are available for $20 30 minutes prior to each performance. Info: www.stonesouptheatre.net or (619) 287-3065.
