TICK, TICK...BOOM! - ACT Hub

Taylor Pailiaga- Alexander Unikowski - Dave Collins in "Tick, Tick...Boom!"

 

Directed by Nikki Fitzgerald – Musical Direction by Callum Tolhurst-Close

Choreographed by Nathan Rutups – Costumes designed by Fiona Leach

Lighting design by Nikki Fitzgerald – Sound design by Nathan Patrech & Lucy Van Dooren

ACT Hub 11^th – 21^st December 2024

Opening night performance on 11^th December reviewed by BILL STEPHENS.

Taylor Paliaga and Alexander Unikowski in "Tick, Tick...Boom!

Originally written and performed as a solo work by Jonathan Larson, who famously died on the day of the first preview of his hit musical Rent, Tick, Tick…Boom!  was revived and revamped after Larson’s death, by playwright David Auburn, as a work for three actors and premiered off-Broadway in 2001.

It is this version that is currently on show at the ACT Hub, performed by Alexander Unikowski, Dave Collins and Taylor Paliaga.

Semi-autobiographical, the musical follows the story of an aspiring young composer named Jon (Alexander Unikowski) who, as this 30^th birthday approaches, finds himself struggling with his relationships and career choices as he works to establish himself as a composer of musicals.

Intriguingly events in Jon’s life echo Larson’s life. In the show Jon is working on a musical, and of course Larson was working on Rent at the time of his death. Larson was an admirer of the work of Stephen Sondheim and references to Sondheim and several of his musicals occur in the storyline and score of Tick, Tick…Boom! notably in the songs "Johnny Can’t Decide", "Sunday" and "Why".

Taylor Paliaga - Alexander Unikowski - Dave Collings in "Tick, Tick...Boom!"

Making an impressive directorial debut for ACT Hub, Nikki Fitzgerald has devised an intelligent, well -paced production showcasing the versatility of her three actors with smart directorial choices which kept the storytelling sharply focussed.

Her lighting design was puzzling until the realisation occurred that perhaps the constantly changing lighting states were meant to represent flashing neon signs across from Jon’s apartment. If so, it was also distracting.

Nathan Rutup’s frenetic choreography neatly complimented Fitzgerald’s direction by providing the actors with opportunities to highlight Larson’s clever lyrics; as did the sensitive accompaniments by the onstage four-piece band led by Callum Tolhurst-Close on Keyboard.

In the central role as the struggling composer, Alexander Unikowski offers a tour de force performance.

While it’s not necessary to be a composer to play the role, Unikowski’s own life’s experience certainly allows him to invest his portrayal with remarkable nuance and authenticity. Often accompanying himself on keyboard and addressing the audience directly, his beautifully sung and articulated performance is both moving and thrilling.  

Complimenting Unikowski, Dave Collins and Taylor Paliaga both successfully mine the clever script to create beautifully rounded characterisations as Jon’s ebullient bestie, Michael, and his long-suffering girlfriend, Susan.

They also take advantage of the opportunities offered by the necessity for each to create a succession of characters who populate Jon’s world, to reveal their impressive comedic skills, particularly when sharing the role of Jon’s hard-boiled agent, Rosa.  

Once again ACT Hub has pulled a rabbit out of the hat to showcase talented local performers and creatives in a funny, moving and imaginative production of an engaging mini-musical to round out a year of outstanding and provocative productions.   

                                      Photos by Janelle McMenamin, Michael Moore     

     This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on December 12th 2024.