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© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien
Tick, Tick... Boom!
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 October 2028 | ||||||
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Musical by Jonathan Larson. In German and English language.
Synopsis
New York in January 1990. One week before his thirtieth birthday, Jon struggles with the expectations of being an adult and that his career as a musical composer is not gaining momentum. Plus, he keeps hearing those ticks and booms ... like a bomb. In their apartment, Michael, his best friend and roommate, formerly an actor and now a big shot in market research, tries to get Jon to take a job in his company. On the roof of the apartment building, Jon indulges in his stirring thoughts. His girlfriend Susan, a dancer, manages to distract Jon for a moment. The next morning, she suggests they move away to the country for a quieter life.
Jon spends Sunday morning at the diner where he has been working for several years to keep his head above water financially. After his shift, he visits Michael's new luxury apartment. Back in Soho, Jon gets caught up in his fears and hopes again; a call from his agent Rosa Stevens adds to this. Susan calls and wants to spend the evening with Jon … a couple’s argument breaks out.
On Monday morning, Jon shows up at Michael's company only to find himself in his own personal hell. Michael can't cope with Jon's depreciating attitude. Jon heads off to a rehearsal of Superbia. To satisfy his cravings, he stocks up on sweets at a kiosk and meets one of his singers, Karessa. Her advances do not go unnoticed by Susan. She makes her decision: she no longer wants to make her dreams dependent on Jon and his professional future and accepts a job offer outside New York. Jon realizes that he has lost her.
The presentation of the musical goes well and Karessa delivers a stunning solo. Now Jon waits in vain for feedback from potential producers. A call from Rosa finally shatters his dream. In despair he wants to give up everything – until Michael unexpectedly confronts him with the diagnosis of AIDS. After a moment of shock Jon comes to his senses.
Saturday evening, birthday party in Soho. Jon realizes that turning thirty isn't so bad after all. A call from his idol, Stephen Sondheim, awakens new hope in him. The ticks and booms get quieter.
Happy Birthday!
Program and cast
Director: Frédéric Buhr
Stage and Costume: Agnes Hasun
Sound Design: Martin Lukesch
Photo gallery
© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien
© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien
Volksoper Vienna
Public transport:
Underground line U6
Trams 40, 41, 42
Bus 40A
Stop "Währinger Straße / Volksoper"
A taxi stand is located at Währinger Gürtel.
Parking garages in WIFI and AKH
The Volksoper is Vienna’s main stage for operetta, opera, musicals and ballet, offering sophisticated musical entertainment. Colourful, eclectic and full of vitality, it is the only theatre dedicated to the genre of operetta.
Operetta belongs to Vienna and Vienna installed it at the home of operetta, Volksopera Vienna, which thereupon became the leading operetta house in the world. First class singers, actors and dancers together with a versatile orchestra cunjure up a musical firework display every evening.
Johann Strauss, Franz Lehár, Emmerich Kálmán wrote their world famous beloved melodies for operettas such as “The Fledermaus”, “The Merry Widow” and “The Csárdás Princess”. A visit to at least one of these operettas at the Volksopera Vienna is a must for every visitor to Vienna!
Also performed are operas from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, as well as classic musicals and ballet. In addition, the Volksoper has a fifth longstanding and proven speciality: it stages soirées, cabaret and burlesque performances under the name of “Volksoper Spezial”.
In the repertory theatre, which seats 1,337 persons, some 300 performances of around 35 different productions are staged every year between September and June.
© Barbara Pálffy/Volksoper Wien
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