The Vagabond Players are serving up something a little different for the 2024 holiday season.
The local theatre company’s second production in the 2024/25 season is Tick, Tick ... Boom!, a musical by Jonathan Larson, the creator of RENT. It will take to the stage at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen’s Park, Nov. 28 to Dec. 15.
“In choosing this musical in the time slot when most other productions are pantomimes and It's a Wonderful Life-type of shows, VP invites patrons to enjoy a musical, written in 1990, that tells a story we can all relate to: turning 30 years old and having to make choices for the future,” said Bev Pride, the show’s producer. “Tick, Tick ... Boom! is Jonathan Larson's story with that struggle, does he continue with his passion of writing the great musical or give it up and conform to another career.”
Tick, Tick … Boom! was originally produced off-Broadway in June 2001. The local production – featuring director Amanda Russell and musical director Allan Thorpe – is based on the book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson.
Pride said the production will be showcasing new talent to the Bernie Legge stage, including Nathaniel Johnson as Jon, Aaron Cheung as Michael, Tiffany Oud as Susan. The ensemble also features Donovan Wood, Oliver Spilsbury, Sarah Prato (last seen in Vagabond Players’ production Terror by Gaslight) and Sophia Sauvageau.
Tick, Tick … Boom! follows the theatre troupe’s fall production of Mauritius which was directed by Chris Schuessler. Upcoming productions feature: A Nice Indian Boy by Madhuri Shekar in February, directed by C. K. Kaur; and Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson in April, directed by Samantha Alexandra.
According to Pride, these shows are giving new directors, emerging artists, and designers a chance to create a new twist on familiar stories: family conflicts and inheritance; turning 30 and decisions about your future: love, weddings, and family; and female suppression.
“Vagabond Players hope to attract patrons that love quality live theatre, experience great storytelling, enjoy excellent sets, costumes, lighting, sound and acting, all in a welcoming community theatre, set in the gorgeous Queen’s Park, amongst the beautiful heritage homes, right in New Westminster,” Pride said. “Vagabond Players is privileged to be able to tell stories, work and play in the Bernie Legge Theatre, which is situated on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halkomelem speaking peoples.”
Tickets and more information available . Tickets are also available by calling 604-521-0412.