And in every sense, UMMTS’s Tick, Tick… Boom! delivered on that vision, offering a warm, resonant celebration of creativity, ambition, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.
Most will know Tick, Tick… Boom! through its 2021 film adaptation starring Andrew Garfield, but the University of Manchester Musical Theatre Society (UMMTS) brought audiences back to where it all began: Jonathan Larson’s original stage musical, performed live in its raw, theatrical form. Larson, best known for creating the ground-breaking musical Rent, infused Tick, Tick… Boom! with the same raw energy and emotional depth that made him a theatre icon.
UMMTS’s version was an energetic and loving homage to the Broadway production—complete with a vibrant live band, a close-knit ensemble, and performances that exceeded all expectations of a student-led show.
At its core, Tick, Tick… Boom! tells the story of a struggling composer, Larson, approaching his 30th birthday, wrestling with the fear that he’s running out of time to achieve his dreams. It’s an intensely personal, often painfully honest narrative that demands emotional stamina and vulnerability from its lead, and this production found exactly the right person to carry that weight.
Charles Gibbs, in the role of Jon, was nothing short of outstanding. On stage for nearly the entire 90-minute runtime, he moved seamlessly between dialogue, internal monologue, and soaring musical numbers. His performance captured both the restless energy of Larson’s ambition and the quieter moments of doubt with nuance and heartfelt sincerity, grounding the entire show.
The supporting cast brought nuance, vitality, and heart to the production. Adam Fox lit up the stage as Michael, Jon’s best friend, with a magnetic presence and quick-witted comedic timing. His physical acting, whether through subtle gestures or full-bodied movement, was consistently engaging, often earning bursts of laughter from the audience and grounding the show’s lighter moments in charm and confidence. His chemistry with Gibbs felt natural and grounded, capturing the quiet tension of a friendship pulled in different directions. As Susan, Jon’s girlfriend, Alexia Mourao was a vocal powerhouse. Her performance of ‘Come to Your Senses’ was raw and emotionally charged, wonderfully capturing Susan’s frustration and longing for stability and clarity.
A standout feature of this production was its live band, placed directly on stage alongside the actors. This choice added immediacy and intimacy, as the musicians became part of the action, visibly reacting to the story as it unfolded. Their performance was exceptional: tight, expressive, and full of character, with the rock-infused score delivered with both energy and precision. However, though the sound mixing was generally strong, occasional inconsistencies in microphone volume meant some lines and vocals were lost in a few moments.
One of the most memorable musical moments was ‘No More’ – a high-energy number that was cleverly staged and brilliantly performed. Despite the constraints of a compact stage and minimal props, the team managed to create a visually dynamic and entertaining scene that played off the actors’ sharp comedic timing and chemistry. The choreography made excellent use of space, never feeling crowded or forced, and drew genuine laughter from the audience throughout. While the ensemble added vocal richness to the number, a few members at times appeared less engaged, slightly dimming the impact of some of the high-energy sequences. However, these were minor dips in an otherwise overwhelmingly committed and cohesive performance.
The set design was another quiet triumph. Scattered with theatre-themed Easter eggs, nods to West Side Story, Sondheim, and more, the design served as a love letter to musical theatre and the legacy Larson was a part of. These thoughtful details helped build a world that felt authentic, lived-in, and lovingly crafted. By the curtain call, most of the audience was on its feet, applauding a production that had been so much more than a student show.
The final verdict: Stirring, funny, and deeply human. This performance proves student theatre can hold its own with the best of them!
