tick, tick...BOOM!

book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Sight Lines 
KC Arts Centre, Singapore

There’s nothing quite like the approach of a milestone birthday to throw one’s life into sharp relief. What exactly have you achieved in this world? Does it matter?

This little-performed, semi-autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the man best known for the Broadway sensation Rent, is a small piece that grapples with big questions. Presented by Sight Lines and directed by Derrick Chew, it’s a strident ode to embracing life and fearlessly pursuing one’s dreams. 

Set in 1990, we follow Jon (Preston Lim), a composer in New York, in the days leading up to his 30th birthday. He talks of a ticking sound in his head that threatens to explode as he prepares to showcase the science fiction musical he’s been working on for the past few years in a theatre workshop, hoping for it to finally be his big break. Elsewhere, his girlfriend Susan (Vanessa Kee) pesters him to leave town and his best friend and former roommate Michael (Ryan Ang) has traded the life of a struggling artist for a swanky corporate job. 

tick, tick…BOOM may not have the most exciting plot but there’s an honesty and relatability to the text that shines through. Chew, who has been planning the project for many years and even made a research trip to New York to deepen his understanding of Larson’s life, delivers a tight, engaging and ultimately life-affirming production buoyed by strong and energetic performances. 

Preston Lim does an admirable job carrying the show, conveying the quirky charm and neuroses of Jon, a man who finds himself torn between his head and his heart. There is fine chemistry amongst the ensemble of five with particularly outstanding work by musical theatre stalwart Vanessa Kee and newcomer Beatrice Jaymes Pung in a terrific professional stage debut. Their stirring rendition of ‘Come to Your Senses’ easily emerges as one of the strongest numbers of the evening. 

Photo Credit: Bernie Ng

Working within the small confines of the KC Arts Centre, seasoned set designer Eucien Chia creates a backdrop that channels the grit and graffiti of downtown New York. Elevated nooks and corners are used to conjure up different spaces and an evocative poster-lined corridor behind the four-person band upstage perfectly captures the period. There’s also fantastic choreography by Tan Rui Shan that truly comes alive in the show’s hugely entertaining musical numbers like ‘Sunday’ and ‘No More’. 

Sight Lines has focused its efforts largely on educational programmes and immersive experiences over the past few years and it is a delight to see them emerge with this hugely entertaining musical featuring bright young talents and impressive production values. Looking forward to their newly-announced 2025 season!

The Crystalwords score: 3.5/5