Theatre Review "tick-tock...BOOM! At Theatre Three

Theatre Three’s “tick, tick … BOOM!” Packs a Punch!

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photos: Steven Uihlein, Theatre Three Productions, Inc

Robbie Torres and Veronica FoxJonathan Larson’s “tick, tick … BOOM!” originated as a “rock monologue” entitled “Boho Days.” In early September 1990, he premiered this semi-autobiographical one-man musical at Second Stage Theater. He continued to hone it for the next few years while simultaneously working on the iconic musical “Rent.” Sadly, he passed away on January 25, 1996, the day before the opening of the Off-Broadway preview of “Rent.” Posthumously, Larson received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards.

Theatre Three’s outstanding production features the “tick, tick BOOM” version revised by David Auburn, a playwright brought in as a Script Consultant. Auburn turned the original one-man show into a three-character musical that opened in 2001 at the Jane Street Theatre in New York City, directed by Scott Schwartz.

The themes explored in this rock musical are universal. Who hasn’t wondered if following their passion was leading them down the path to ruin, or who hasn’t watched the pursuit of their dreams turn into real-life nightmares? 

Jason Furnari and Robbie TorresThis provocative musical takes place in New York City a week before Jon, an aspiring composer, turns 30. Pressured by the haunting sensation that time is running out, Jon confronts the harsh reality that his goal of writing a successful musical has yet to come to fruition. His girlfriend, Susan, a dancer, longs to get out of the rat race of the Big Apple. His best friend Michael has given up the ghost of the theatre world and has taken a job at a marketing firm, where he is enjoying the perks of a big salary—a BMW and a luxury apartment. The opening song, “30/90,” reflects how scary it is to turn 30 in the 1990s, as all three characters lament, “What can I do?”

Robbie Torres gave an award-worthy performance as Jon, a man bursting with talent yet plagued with anxiety and self-doubt. Torres aced his moving solo, “Why,” reminiscing about his long-term friendship with Michael and their dream of making it big in the theatre world.  

Jason Furnari, Robbie Torres, Veronica FoxJason Furnari was exceptional as  Michael, a gay man and former actor, who sings his liberation anthem “No More,” discovering with money there is “No More walking thirteen blocks with thirty pounds of laundry in the freezing dead of winter…” Jon joins in this upbeat, comical duet, taking an inward leap of faith that someday he, too, will have all this and more, not by selling out to the corporate world but by utilizing his God-given creative gifts. Furnari’s moving rendition of “Real Life” was one of the show’s highlights.

Veronica Fox as Susan stole the show with her powerhouse vocals, charismatic stage presence, and versatility. Fox has a flair for comedy and had the audience in stitches with her spot-on portrayal of Rosa, Jon’s painfully honest, hard-hitting agent. As Karessa, a performer in Jon’s musical “Superbia,” Fox showed off her sassy, sexy side, and her pitch-perfect rendition of “Come to Your Senses” was an audience favorite. Fox and Torres rocked the outrageously funny song “Therapy,” where Jon and Susan hash it out, singing bitingly witty lyrics such as, “I feel bad, that you feel bad, about me feeling bad, about you feeling bad.”

Jason Furnari, Robbie Torres, Veronica FoxAnother hilarious moment in the show happened during the song “Sunday,” a nod to Larson’s mentor and idol Stephen Sondheim. In this scene, Jon works in a diner and is driven nuts by an array of annoying and demanding patrons, brilliantly played by Furnari and Fox. 

Jeffrey Sanzel’s precision-perfect direction kept this high-energy, emotion-driven musical entertaining and engaging from curtain rise to curtain fall. Randall Parsons’s innovative set consisted of large screens where the fabulous live band was always visible and readily heard. The well-chosen set pieces: Jon’s desk, which was nothing more than a large slab of wood on milk cartons, an overflowing trash can, a couch, and a keyboard, speak volumes about the spartan life of a creative. Jason Allyn’s ’90s costumes added a touch of realism to the show. If Theatre Three ever auctions off Susan’s showstopping green velvet dress with its divine touch of bling, I will place the highest bid!

The audience showed their appreciation for this electrifying production by giving it a well-deserved standing ovation. This must-see musical runs through March 16, 2024. To purchase tickets or for additional information, please visit www.Theatrethree.com or call the Box Office at 631-928-9100.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her full-length Music Drama, “Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music,” is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.