Rock musical explores a common life question
SPARTA — “Tick Tick....BOOM!” will explode on the Sparta Ave. Stage this weekend.
The rock musical will be performed by Pioneer Productions, a non-profit theater company formed about 10 years ago.
The story
It’s is an autobiographical musical written by Jonathan Larson who is most famed for “Rent.” It relays his obstacles and self-doubt as he was turning 30, where he was at a crossroads as to whether to keep pursuing his dream of writing plays/musicals or getting a real job and having a family.
Director Doug McLaughlin chose this play because he and his partners felt a connection to this message, “We thought it was a great piece for our first production – will we make our mark in this life, is this the right thing to do? I think everyone in some way can identify with this plight at some point in their lives. I, myself, have a profound connection to the message of this play and I think anyone at any age in the audience can identify with the doubts we may have had, that we are doing the right thing and fulfilling our purpose.”
McLaughlin also revealed a deeper meaning of the story: “Jonathan realizes that embracing what you do have — deep friendships and people who love and support you, no matter what your decisions are. This is the strongest and most powerful tool Jonathan has. He can face down his fears and challenges in life and come out on the other side.”
McLaughlin said, “So far there has been a great community response in ticket sales, with over 100 tickets already sold.”
The players
The founding members, who are McLaughlin, Dan Vissers (actor), Carrie Vissers (production), Shanna Levine-Phelps (actor) and Jon Mantes (actor) collectively have over 20 years experience and have performed in many theaters in both New Jersey and New York.
“Tick, Tick....BOOM!” will also feature a live band. Drummer Jason Gianni has performed with Rock of Ages on Broadway and also with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Joe Dubbiosi will play bass; Kosaku Nakamura will be on guitar and musical director Joe Andolino will play keyboard.
The actors met the musicians while working together in other productions.
While “Tick, Tick....BOOM!” will be performed only by the founding members, their goal is to produce more plays with open casting calls for the community.
According to Vissers, “This is a way for us to introduce ourselves to the community. We didn’t create this company only to cast ourselves — we would like to give opportunities for local talent to do the acting and allow us to be more behind the scenes, focusing on directing and choreographing.”
The venue
The company and musicians are delighted with the Sparta Ave. Stage. “We feel it is the perfect venue for us to debut this musical,” said Vissers.
The owners, Joe and Diane Garsetti, purchased Sparta Ave. Stage about three years ago from the township at an auction. Joe Garsetti is a magician and initially bought the building for storage for his illusions — then he and his wife realized what a beautiful space it was. “The fact that it has a stage inspired us to completely renovate it so we could open it to the community as well to utilize it for plays, concerts, magic shows and the like,” he said.
Garsetti will be performing a Magic Show called “Simply Baffling” in March, which will include tricks and illusions designed between 90 and 100 years ago and are still difficult to figure out.
For more info, visit www.spartastage.com.
IF YOU GO
Feb. 8, 9, 15 and 16
8 p.m.
Sparta Avenue Stage
10 Sparta Ave.
Tickets available through:
www.spartastage.com
www.pioneerproductionscompany.org