According to ExploringYourMind.com, milestone anxiety is defined as “the psychological pressure that people experience when they perceive that they haven’t yet met many of their expectations and life goals.” Some life milestones include buying a home, getting married, having kids and more. Just last year, UK-based organization Relate discovered that this milestone anxiety is rising among millennials and Gen Z members. The early 30s seem to be a real “crunch point”—by age 30, young adults are expected to have their lives together.
Anxious about turning 30 (or getting older)? Say less.
There’s a musical that says it all—one that was written decades ago, but is still relevant to our milestone anxiety-ridden generation.
tick, tick…BOOM! is a musical created by Jonathan Larson (Rent). It’s the story about a group of twenty-somethings trying to find their way in ‘90s New York.
Main character Jon is a struggling composer, who is days away from turning thirty. He can’t help but hear that internal ticking of the clock: he doesn’t want to turn a year older with nothing to show. His girlfriend, Susan, wants to leave New York to start a family and establish a stable career in the suburbs. Adding to the pressure is his best friend and ex-theater buddy, Michael, who convinces him to join the marketing industry instead and lead a more comfortable life.
“Years are getting shorter, lines on your face are getting longer. Feel like you’re treading water, but the riptide’s getting stronger.” – 30/90 from tick, tick…BOOM!
This musical continues to be #relatable even (and especially) among younger audiences because of its truthfulness. Larson actually drew inspiration from his own personal struggles and relationships; he was a young adult trying to make a name for himself as a composer in the 80s. Larson would eventually enjoy critical acclaim and worldwide success for his later work, Rent, but only posthumously. He died days before his 35th birthday, one day before Rent’s first preview performance.
“Johnny wants to hide. Can he settle down and still not drown?”
– Johnny Can’t Decide from tick, tick…BOOM!
While this play resonates with young adults, it’s not for them alone. People of all ages—or anyone who’s ever heard that (dreadful) internal “tick…tick…tick…”—will find comfort in Larson’s award-winning musical. If you’ve ever been bombarded with news about friends getting married, getting promoted, having kids, buying homes–you are probably feeling that mounting pressure. Will you compromise or persevere? Cages or wings, which do you prefer? tick, tick…BOOM! is your safe space for processing all these feelings.
9 Works Theatrical’s restaging of the three-person musical will showcase the talents of young adult stars: Jef Flores and Khalil Ramos (alternating as Jon), Tanya Manalang and Kayla Rivera (alternating as Susan), and Vien King and Reb Atadero (alternating as Michael). Owing to the beauty of theater and the life experiences that each of the artists will bring to the table, the incredible cast is ready to tell this poignant story about growing old, growing up, growing anxious–and ultimately, growing together.
tick, tick…BOOM! is directed by Robbie Guevara, with Daniel Bartolome as musical director, JM Cabling as choreographer, Mio Infante as scenographer, Shakira Villa-Symes as lighting designer, Bam Tiongson as Sound Designer, Myrene Santos as hair and makeup designer, Marlito Ambrocio as technical director, Ian Cartalaba as costume supervisor, and JV Rabano as photographer.
Heading the production team is executive producer Santi Santamaria, with Anna Santamaria as operations & finance director, Charyl de Guzman as production manager, Jonjon Martin as PR manager, GM Hernandez as marketing manager, and Arma Bonilla as stage manager.
Tickets are selling out fast!
tick, tick…BOOM! will be showing all weekends of August 2023 at 3:00pm & 7:30pm on Saturdays & Sundays, at the CPR Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati. Tickets are now available via ticket2me.net. Grab yours while you can!
For partnerships & show buying inquiries, you may reach us via info@9workstheatrical.com, 7586 7105 or 0917 554 5560.
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