Stage Write

  Tick, Tick...BOOM! is the incredibly personal musical from Jonathan Larson, the creator of RENT. This 90-minute musical tells the story of Jon (Patrick Dinnsen) as he approaches his 30th birthday. He’s wondering if a career in the arts is a lost cause. The show is all the more profound because of his real-life untimely death just before his 36th birthday. There are just three actors plus a live band on the stage's second level. The musicians' excellent performances sometimes overwhelm the vocals, but it gives it a great rock ‘n’ roll feel. Some of the quiet songs hit deeper because of the clarity of each carefully crafted lyric, brimming with angst and ambition. Emily Ristine Holloway‘s direction keeps things moving with a revolving door of characters played by the talented three actors. She lovingly choreographs the show so there is rollicking fun that slides easily into poignant numbers. The set, designed by Zac Hunter, is gritty and perfectly NYC in the '90s. There’s a...

Here's the premise, it’s 1963 and the night before three soldiers are about to be shipped off to Vietnam. They’ve decided to hold a dogfight, a marine tradition where each guy tries to find the ugliest date possible. The winner takes the pot and the girl is never the wiser. Eddie Birdlace (Patrick Dinnsen) meets Rose, a waitress who he decides will work in a pinch, unfortunately she's more than he bargained for. It’s a popular show at the moment because its music and lyrics were written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo responsible for the Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen and songs from La La Land and The Greatest Showman. Their skill of crafting a heart wrenching story with songs is evident in this show as well. The show is such a delight and surprises audiences with its heart and beautiful vocals. The cast is young, all veteran members of Summer Stock Stage productions, and they are so talented. Emily Ristine Holloway’s direction highlights moments of tenderness betwee...