A young composer’s highs & lows

MANILA, Philippines - At the start of the musical play by 9Works Theatrical, tick, tick...BOOM! directed by Robbie Guevara, the audience hears an ominous ticking sound. Perhaps, it is the beating of the heart of the young Jon (played by Jef Flores), who describes himself with irony as “a promising composer.” Actually, he cannot even pay the rent and his agent refuses to answer his calls.

This earlier work, autobiographical in scope, is by Jonathan Larsen, originally conceived as a rock monologue which the writer-composer himself performed. Larsen went on to create Rent but tragically died in January 1996, days before his 36th birthday and weeks before Rent opened; it became a worldwide hit and won the Pulitzer Prize.

Writer Jonathan Larsen

tick, tick...BOOM! in its present form was produced in Off- Broadway, New York in June 2001, with a cast of five.

It is an actor-driven play with strong demands on the per- formers, who play a multiplicity of roles and have to be adept in singing, dancing and emoting. There are only three actors: Jef in the lead role; Tanya Manalang as his girl friend Susan; and Ariel Reonal as his best friend Michael. And the music is live, performed on the stage by Erskine Basilio, Jeddi Celeste and Gerald Flores.

All three actors perform wonderfully, but it is Ariel who almost runs away with the show.

As the play progresses, with one incident after another, funny as well as melodramatic, and one musical number after another, Jon (Jef) meets a variety of people who either encourage or frustrate him.

The BOOM! in the title may refer to an explosion or, more positively, when success has been or will be attained. Fortunately, things may turn out well for Jon and the play ends with him celebrating his 30th birthday.

The minimalist production is hyper, fast moving and provocative. Catch it at the Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza, Makati City, during weekends until Oct. 23.