Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...On opening weekend, the young cast members in the show had a ways to go, musically. More specifically, the three lead performers Crystal Claros (Michael), Alec Phan (Jonathan) and Luke Halpern (Susan) all felt much more secure when singing alone than when performing together. I think that all just needs more work on harmonics and mutual interaction; the hearts and passions are there, especially when the actors face outward and don’t disappear too much into themselves. That’s also true more generally of the show; what Frazier is trying to do here will work better when they increases togetherness and vulnerability."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...The show itself is more revue than true musical: originally performed solo by Larson himself, its narrative was later supplied by playwright David Auburn. But some of the songs are truly moving (“Real Life”) and others witty, and all get their due and then some from the cast and band under music director Harper Caruso. As the characters struggle with their fear of getting old, it’s hard not to reflect on the fact Larson himself never did, dying at age 35 the day before the first Broadway preview of his signature piece Rent."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...Fraizer's casting shakeup is fine, since BoHo's tick, tick...BOOM! is staged largely as a presentational mini-rock concert (and since Halpern and Claros also play several other minor characters). After all, theatergoers nowadays should be used to unconventional casting with America's founding fathers diversely depicted in musicals like Hamilton and the recent Broadway revival of 1776 that comes touring to Chicago in February."
Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended
"...The music is a wonderful blend of genres. The songs are not just enjoyable in their own right, but they cheekily take Jonathan to task for his occasional, insufferable critiques of Broadway as it is and the Broadway he envisions himself breaking into with a "real" rock musical. There's appealing "bubble gum" mixed in with the driving punk and grunge vibes, and it's notable that, although there are clearly some precursors to the music from Larson's Rent, this show is decidedly its own creative entity."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...BoHo Theatre Company is back! After living thru the pandemic with hopes and desire to resume bringing wonderful musicals to Chicago, they are back. They are not only back, but are back with an amazing production of "Tick,Tick,..BOOM!', the Jonathan Larson musical that tells his story. Yes, the creator of "Rent" who passed away before that classic opened on Broadway, had another musical to share. Shared after his death, Jane and I first saw this show at The Jane Street Theatre in New York- an off-Broadway theater. Since then we have seen several renditions of this sparkling small musical and then during the pandemic the made for streaming version that made it a full scale musical instead of a "chamber piece"."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...It's ironic to note that Jonathan Larson originally titled this musical "BoHo Days." It's as if he was prophetically forecasting this terrific new, audaciously electrifying production that closes the 2022/2023 season of Chicago's BoHo Theatre. Because the company's mission is to tell stories that artfully examine and fully celebrate human relationships, BoHo feels like the perfect theatre to provide this autobiographical musical a new life. Fans of Jonathan Larson's work will absolutely enjoy seeing this seldom-produced musical, now ticking away and booming with vitality at BoHo Theatre."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...If you love Rent, you’ll really like tick, tick…BOOM! If you don’t like Rent, you’ll probably still really like tick, tick…BOOM!, because what’s not to like about a great story and a talented cast? If you’ve ever struggled, strived, or attempted to create anything — or even just faced existential crises about getting older — tick, tick...BOOM! is relatable, funny, and heart-wrenching."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...tick, tick...BOOM! has garnered more of a household name with its recent Netflix film adaptation, but, honestly, if any reimagining should be a topic of conversation, it should be Frazier's. BoHo Theatre's tick, tick...BOOM! accomplishes all it sets out to do and more, staying ever-true to the company's vision to "create a shared community of artists and patrons in which all members are moved through art to make thoughtful, well-examined, caring relationships the highest priority in their lives.""
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...The show, only the third production ever in Chicago, focuses on Larson's struggling efforts to create his first musical, which he called "Superbia." That show proved too unwieldy for Broadway, but no less a personage than Stephen Sondheim praised Larson's craft and encouraged him to write more. Tick...tick...BOOM! was the result: a small-cast autobiographical musical in which three actors take on many parts to tell a story about an artist's struggles-territory that Larson would explore again in his Pultizer Prize-winning Rent."
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...TICK TICK...BOOM! would be a good fit for those who might be in a similar situation of feeling like time is running out and would relate to this show. For those who might be past those stages of life, you still might enjoy this as a reminiscing journey."
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...Although popularized in recent years by the Netflix film starring Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens in 2001, the film and stage play have several notable differences including the addition, removal, and rearranging of certain songs. In fact, the central point of conflict is different as well! Nevertheless, audiences who are only familiar with the film will be sure to love this show in its original live stage format."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...“tick, tick…BOOM!” is onomatopoetic, itself like a sustained explosion, or a well-planned program of fireworks. Just as one explosive moment rises to its climax, another is rising right behind. If you like high-energy, metaphysical ponderings and a rockin’ soundtrack, then get ready to be blown away!"
