tick… tick… BOOM!

US, 2021, 120 minutes, Colour.

Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesus, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, Vanessa Hudgens, Bradley Whitford, Joel Gray, Richard Kind.

Directed by Lin- Manuel Miranda.

Sounds of tension then an explosion! Tick… Tick… BOOM!

This was the title of a semi-autobiographical musical with lyrics and score by Jonathan Larson. In fact, this film is a tribute to Larson and his contribution to American musical theatre.

Jonathan Larson (1960-1995) is best known for writing the musical Rent which played on Broadway for 12 years and was made into a successful film. His autobiographical musical is set just before his 30^th birthday, is wanting to achieve some fame quoting Stephen Sondheim having his first success at age 27, working on a musical, Superbia, while working in a diner and composing in a small apartment.

The framework of the film is a performance of his autobiography, Larson sitting at the piano, narrating, singing, accompanied by two other singers and some musicians. Larson is played by Andrew Garfield, a combination of genial friendship, frustrated genius, anxiety about growing older without success. Andrew Garfield also sings all his songs.

Which means then that this is a strong musical – and, it has been directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda after his success with Hamilton and In the Heights. And the narrative, and the performance of the songs, the recitations, are reminiscent of Miranda’s own musicals.

The dynamic of the show is Larson desperate to complete Superbia, his first major musical, for a special presentation in front of Broadway producers, hoping that it will be taken up. Within the performance, there are scenes of work at the diner, Larson and his friendship with Michael, a gay man, and the background of AIDS. It is 1990. There is also Larson’s relationship with his girlfriend, Susan, needy for his support, he being preoccupied with his work. Then there is his agent who hasn’t contacted him for a year but who invites the producers for the presentation (Judith Light in another strong performance as she did in Ms White Light) and the glimpse of Sondheim himself (played by Bradley Whitford) sneaking into the presentation.

So, while the story is that of the eager and hopeful composer, the strain and stress of preparing for the presentation, the presentation itself is impressive – but, audiences who enjoy musicals, will be caught up in the staging and continual development of Larson’s story as Tick… Tick… But he did not live to see the Boom that he hoped for. But, his music does live on.

1. An entertaining musical? The songs from the 1990s? The 2020s treatment? Lyrics, relationship to life and stories, musical score? Performances?
2. The title, the music of Jonathan Larson, his presentation of his musical and the recreation of the presentation? The narrative performance and his telling and singing his life story and musical ambitions? Audience knowing whether he was the author of Rent or not, of his success and lack of success, his early an unexpected death?
3. The work of Lynn manual Miranda, his own musicals, his directing this one – and his personal style?
4. The structure of the film, the introduction to Jonathan Larson, his age, impending 30^th birthday, his ambitions, working on his musical for five years, working at the diner? His apartment, sharing with Michael, friendship with Michael? His relationship with Susan? Ups and downs, her wanting to move from New York, wanting his attention? His preoccupation with his work? The friendship with all those at the diner, and interactions with the customers?
5. His musical, Suburbia, its narrative, suggestions of aliens, of relationship to American life? The 1990s? His preparation for the presentation, the songs, the rehearsals, the singers, the band, Ira and his advice, wanting money for extra band members, Michael and his moving from acting to advertising, Jonathan going to the meeting, quick wit, then mockery? And is later feeling the need for Michael’s new lifestyle, to moving to advertising?
6. The framework of the film, Jonathan at the piano, narrating his life story, singing the songs, the two main singers and the band? The audience? The songs and then going into the reality of Jonathan’s life the cumulative effect? The narrative and the building up to the presentation?
7. Jonathan and his personality, the visit of his parents to the presentation, relationship with Susan, preoccupied with his work, her inability to leave him be, wanting attention? The discussions with Michael, lifestyle? The friend from the diner with AIDS, hospital? (And the status of AIDS and the epidemic by 1990, the death of so many men?)
8. The night before the presentation, the power going out, Susan, is going for the swim, composing the final song?
9. The presentation itself, the rehearsals, the range of singers in the entourage, their questions about the musical? Their performance, the lead singer, the new song read by site?
10. The agent, not in touch for year, but the invitations for producers to come to the presentation? Jonathan arriving early, anxious? The seat for Susan? People turning up, Stephen Sondheim coming in late (and Jonathan’s comparisons of composition and age with Sondheim)? The success of the presentation, the applause?
11. The aftermath, the producers praising the quality, but not accepting Suburbia? Looking for his next musical? The phone call from Sondheim and the encouragement?
12. Jonathan, the discussions with Michael, Michael’s revelation about AIDS, and the issue of having enough time for life?
13. The 30^th birthday, the celebration, Susan coming in the gift, the book for the new musical, Jonathan and his friends?
14. The information about his writing rent, success, 12 years on Broadway? And the sadness of his untimely death?
15. Attributed Jonathan Larson and his musical achievement?