An evening in the '90s with "Tick, Tick... BOOM!"
An evening in the '90s with "Tick, Tick... BOOM!"
The performance had several obstacles to make it to the stage, but the performers, directors, and pit pulled it off with style.
This past weekend, Bethel’s fine arts and theater program presented this spring’s musical, “Tick, Tick… BOOM!” written by Jonathan Larson. With three showtimes in total over the weekend, the small but mighty cast put on a performance to remember.
The musical made it to the stage, despite several obstacles. Earlier this school year, the musical of choice was changed from “Violet” to “Tick, Tick… BOOM!” Following the change, former director of theater Karen Robu stepped down as director of the musical and is resigning her position at Bethel effective at the end of the academic year.
As a result, former Bethel College alumna Katie Schmidt assumed the role of director just a month and a half before opening night, alongside musical director Dr. Henry Waters, accompanist Dr. Christina Liu, and technical director Damon Klassen. Despite the changes throughout the prep time, the cast delivered an amazing performance with strong voices and catchy numbers.
Landing the starring role was junior Hayden Honomichl from Great Bend alongside sophomore actors Tristan England from Pretty Prairie, and Emily Guldner from Independence, Mo. Joining the stage under the spotlight was local sophomore Josué Coy Dick and stage crew from Bethel’s Theater Practicum class.
“Tick, Tick… BOOM!” starts with a brief introduction from struggling composer Jonathan Larson, followed by the opening number “30/90”. The play revolves around Jonathan’s struggles and sacrifices made to achieve his dreams of composing a musical that ends up on Broadway, by the age of 30. Throughout the story, he wrestles with a life-changing decision: should he keep working at his dream, or settle down by getting an office job and moving in with his girlfriend?
Honomichl did a fantastic job embodying and conveying the emotions that Jonathan Larson felt during his time. The audience could feel the pressure of those emotions of wanting to achieve your dreams sooner rather than later, as if a clock was ticking and counting down the time you had left.
Bethel students were amazed with the powerful performance given by Honomichl and fellow cast members. “I was really impressed with the production of “Tick, Tick… BOOM!”, especially with how small the cast was,” said senior Isabela Diaz from Oklahoma City, Okla.
“Hayden did an amazing job in acting and singing. I really enjoyed it,” finished Diaz.
I applaud the actors as well as Theater Practicum students for their hard work and countless hours poured into this production. Additionally, those in the pit and directing behind the curtain deserve a big nod of thanks for the beautiful execution of a thought-provoking musical.