By Joseph Szalinski
Composer/playwright Jonathan Larson is facing a conundrum. He’s turning 30. Or in musical theatre speak, 15768000 minutes old. Yuck! To make matters worse, he can’t seem to find his feet creatively; everyone else is on their way to success, and he’s plagued by noises like he has an old dude’s heart hidden under his floorboards. Join Jon and his friends as they sing, strut, and sweat in the Musical Theatre Guild of Butler’s production of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…Boom! directed by Matt Mlynarski.
Having spent the bulk of his 20s attempting to write and produce a musical based on 1984, and then an original futuristic musical, Jonathan Larson was at his wits’ end. Instead of taking a stab at a musical based on We or Brave New World, he did the next best thing and wrote a show, in part, about the development of his play, Superbia. Originally envisioned as a “rock monologue” under the name Boho Days, Tick, Tick…Boom! was performed at various workshops from 1990-1993, until Larson decided to work on his final, and career-defining project, The Far Side. Whoops. My bad. I mean, Rent. Following Jon’s early death in 1996, playwright David Auburn reworked the show to feature 3 actors, which was eventually produced in 2001. In 2021, Lin-Manuel Miranda directed a film adaptation for Netflix, starring Andrew Garfield as Jon, a role that almost earned the latter an Academy Award.
Jeremy Poynton beautifully realizes Jon’s inner turmoil and delivers a heartbreaking rendition of an artist desperate for some sort of professional validation. Unafraid to give his all during a song or to throw himself across the stage, he demonstrates the commitment required to portray such a venerated icon of musical theatre. His chemistry with his two co-stars and his ability to captivate crowds by himself showcase his skill set perfectly.
Anna Gergerich gives a rousing performance as Susan, Jon’s girlfriend, as well as Karessa, Rosa, Judy, and Mom. She does a terrific job of alternating between her characters, never losing momentum during the transitions. Whether she’s embroiled in an intimate argument with Jon as Susan or splitting sides as the smoky Rosa, she crushes every role. While a smaller part, she is exceptional as Karessa, a performer in the workshops for Superbia, delivering astounding solos and dancing her heart out to silly songs about sweets.
Jack Cipriani delights in his roles as Michael, counter guy, dad, and market research guy. Being able to switch between goofier moments, like corporate brainstorming, and more conflicted moments talking about “selling out” and finding happiness, is a testament to his skills as a performer. His acting is matched only by his ability to sing and dance, as evidenced by electrifying numbers and awe-inspiring gymnastics.
Complementing the cast are four tremendous musicians. Music director/keyboardist Jessica Sanzotti effortlessly leads Adrian Cresce on bass, Jacob Glath on guitar, and Karen O’Donnell on percussion, creating a superb sonic supplement. Technical elements are tight and polished. Producer Christina Savannah does excellent work with props and costumes. Simple yet effective set design by director Matt Mlynarski is brought to life by technical director, set constructor, and painter Vince Sanzotti. Glen Bittner expertly handles duties as a lighting technician while Jamilah N. Turner does the same as a spotlight operator. Philip Ball works his magic as sound designer, while Eric Snyder works his as sound technician.
Hidden in the woods of Butler Memorial Park, the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall & Production Center is a cozy little venue. Though a tad removed from the scene on downtown Butler’s main drag, audiences eagerly swarm the area to enjoy some fantastic shows. The Musical Theatre Guild of Butler is a phenomenal organization housed at the Lehnerd Center that has put on tremendous productions since 1962. Their commitment to fostering arts and culture has left quite a legacy. By forgoing the straight plays and Shakespeare offered by other local theatres and companies, they remain a unique and indispensable part of the community.
-JS
Tick, Tick…Boom! The event continues its run on October 17th, 18th, and 19th at the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall & Production Center in Butler Memorial Park.
