By: Courtney-Joy Breeden | Published February 21, 2025
The Kean Theatre Council held its first production of the Spring 2025 school year, “Tick Tick Boom,” from Jan. 24-25.
Famous writer Jonathan Larson, most known for his hit musical “Rent” in 1994, wrote “Tick Tick Boom” as a fictional retelling of his own journey to fame in the ‘90s. He desired to become a great musical composer and writer like Stephen Sondheim, a name Larson drops more than once throughout the show.
The musical is directed by Kean alum Gabe Soto, who wrapped up his senior year during Fall 2024 with Kean’s production of “Rent.”
The Murphy Dunn Theatre in Vaughn Eames held three free great and successful shows, each completely packed with a standing ovation after the finale.
The main actors, Mason Horne, Faith Lobo, and Shamar Thomas created an engaging environment on stage, welcoming the audience to the world of “Tick Tick Boom.” Horne and Lobo showcased a beautiful partnership in their roles as Jon and Susan, respectively, a couple in the production. Their commitment to dictating the build-up and climax of the characters’ break-up captivated the audience’s attention.
Horne’s dedication to the character of Jon shined through in the musical numbers and monologues. The childlike ways, heartbreaks, and ambitions of Jon were communicated through his physicality and speech. Horne’s performance gave the audience insight into Jon’s wants and needs. They laughed at his jokes and gasped at his misfortunes.
Lobo is a woman of many talents and roles. She played the loving and determined character Susan and other characters such as Rosa, Jon’s agent, and Karessa, a friend and an actress in Jon’s newest creation, Superbia. Her ability to change into different costume pieces and postures made it easy for the audience to follow.
Out of all her roles, Susan was the most prominent.
Lobo’s performance as Susan, Jon’s girlfriend and an ambitious dancer, captivated the audience as she conveyed her frustrations and needs with gestures, expressions, and excellent use of the space. The audience, primarily made of women, connected with her waves of emotion.
Horne and Lobo proved to be a great duo, which is accredited to their experience in the theater world. It was not their first dance on the stage, as they’ve both participated in various Kean productions, two recent ones being “Rent” and “Tartuffe”.
Shamar Thomas, a rising actor at Kean during his freshman year, introduced his acting chops in “Tartuffe.” He was a great addition to the talented pair. His performance as Michael was both humorous and passionate, fitting for the character, a gay man in the ‘90s who has given up his passions to lead a socially acceptable life.
The audience empathized with Michael due to Thomas’ engaging performance. Similar to Lobo, Thomas was also able to wear many hats, filling in as Roger, a friend of Jon’s, and even Rosa, which made the audience burst into laughter. His interactions with Horne and Lobo on stage were satisfying and showcased his skill and talent.
The actors swiftly executed the highs and lows of each character through song, dance, and spoken word, and the show exhibited the benefits of a supportive relationship between actor and director.
Yet, a good production is nothing without all of its moving parts. The other participating actors, stagehands, and sound and lighting crew did their part to provide a familial ambiance, allowing the audience to enjoy the show as if they were part of it.
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