BASICS — Tick, Tick… Boom! — Produced by Second Generation Theatre at Shea’s Smith Theatre, 660 Main Street, Buffalo 14202. The production runs from May 19th- June 4th, 2023. Thursday and Friday performances start at 7:30 pm, Saturday performances start at 8 pm, and Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm. There is an additional matinee on June 3 at 2 pm. Tickets prices are $36.60 – $41.70 at Ticketmaster — https://www.ticketmaster.com/tick-tickboom-buffalo-new-york-05-19-2023/event/00005D5AC4F146C7
RUNTIME: About 100 minutes (no intermission)
THUMBNAIL SKETCH —
From Jonathan Larson, the composer of Rent comes Tick, Tick…Boom! – the story of an aspiring composer navigating success, failure, friendship, love, and perseverance. Set in New York City in 1990, the powerful rock score and soaring melodies ring true in any decade. Directed by Louis Colaiacovo, Choreographed by Elizabeth Polito, Music Direction by Joe Isgar
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION —
Tick, Tick… Boom! is a semi-autobiographical musical that was originally written as a one man show performed by Jonathan Larson. Here is the real life timeline —in 1983, Larson wrote a futuristic rock musical called Superbia. It won awards and a concert version was performed, but it was never produced as a full scale musical and this was a great disappointment to Mr. Larson.Then he wrote Tick, Tick… Boom! and he performed it in several off-Broadway venues. It’s a musical about the challenges of writing Superbia. Larson’s next big show was Rent, but Larson passed away the day of the first preview. Rent went on to become a huge hit and, therefore, interest was developed in Larson’s earlier pieces and Tick, Tick… Boom! was expanded into the three person version performed today. The show has had productions all over the world, and now Second Generation Theatre has brought it to downtown Buffalo.
As the central character, Jon, Sean Ryan has an appealing presence, and he does a tremendous job with the songs – giving them lots of energy and heart. He is onstage pretty much the entire time – giving a masterful performance. By the way, Mr. Ryan has excellent diction and both his lines and his lyrics were easily understood.

Joe Russi, as Jon’s best friend, is consistently on the money. His acting is believable, his dancing is the company’s best, and his singing is fine. Mr. Russi plays the comic scenes – which include some inspired physicality – successfully, and his work is very affecting in the dramatic moments.
Leah Berst plays Jon’s love interest, and she does exceptionally well with the songs, but she doesn’t give the same sense of truth to the dialogue – it comes across as stagey. Ms. Best does a noteworthy job, though, as another character — a young actress in Superbia singing a solo. That is one of the best musical moments of the evening and here Ms. Berst is straightforward, simple, and sincere, and she elicits well deserved cheers from the audience.
The musical direction by Joe Isgar and accompaniment by the musicians is terrific! And the choreography by Elizabeth Polito is delightful.
Direction is by Louis Colaiacovo and he kept the production at a good pace, the evening flew by. Mr. Colaiacovo did a super job of directing the actors in the songs – they are infused with fun and feeling.

Usually the Smith Theatre is set up as a proscenium stage. This time around it’s a thrust stage – the audience is on three sides. Most of the evening, however, the performers faced the center section. I was sitting on one of the sides and I seldom saw more than profiles of the actors. In addition, the risers for the audience’s seats are low, and so, every time an actor onstage sat down, I lost sight of him/her. This is very frustrating for audience members. Another frustrating part of the set up was that about 20% of the seats were reserved and these were the best seats in the house – the first two rows of the center section. I don’t know why so many seats were reserved, but I would advise getting to the theatre very early. We arrived at 7:30 for the 8 pm performance and we wound up sitting on the side.
This is a musically very solid and ambitious production. There are strong performances, and it is well worth seeing.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!


