MINDFUL MELODY
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles
Search

LATEST POSTS

A selection of articles from all our issues - go to 'The Magazine' to read them all, including exclusive interviews from Aston Barrett Jr., Niko Moon, Serena Ryder, Canaan Smith and many more...

Tick, Tick… Boom! The Musical of Honesty, Humility and Heart

4/6/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
David Dawson

Often, we feel like so much of our lives depends on successes and failures – where we work, where we live, how much money we have and so on. It is easy to forget to stay true to what really matters to us the most – and nothing is more of a champion of this than the 2021 film ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’

Based on the musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson, the plot itself is somewhat meta, and the only musical of its kind that I have seen. The plot of ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ as a musical and a film is actually the story of Larson writing the musical he wrote before ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ It isn’t acted out with props and scenery but instead takes place with Jonathan and a piano, accompanied by a few other musicians and singers, delivered as if some sort of speech; only intertwined by Larson’s brilliant songs.

I could spend a long time talking about the performances of the actors - and Andrew Garfield is brilliant in this - but for me the standout thing was more the message. The main thing I love about the musical is that it is so honest – there is no glamourisation of what is happening and we are just presented with the raw and emotional truths. I have often written in the past about how being in your twenties is supposed to be fun but is actually filled with pressure and angst and no other story I have seen portrays it better than this one. In spite of failing relationships and a lack of money, Larson is clinging on to his dream with every last fibre of his being, determined to make it as a writer. During this time he has seen his group of talented and creative friends give up on their hopes, opting for stable jobs to try and save up some money having become frustrated with a life of small apartments and living week to week. The most prominent two are Larson’s long time actor friend, Michael, and dancer girlfriend, Susan, who choose to take a corporate advertising job and a teaching job respectively.

Amongst this, Jonathan finds himself weighing up his own motives. The film is laced with Jonathan’s repeated mantra that others had already hit huge success by the time that they were his age, and as the days pass by to his 30th birthday he feels as if it may be all too late. Whilst seeing people his age buy homes, get married and have kids we see Jonathan begin to question whether maybe it is time to pull the plug, and he comes close, even attending a focus group at his friend's advertising company.

The title; ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ is the perfect commentary on Jonathan’s position in more ways than one. The first of which is his 30th birthday. Having constantly reminded himself of people who are successful in their twenties it seems that this day on the horizon is almost a deadline for Larson, a finishing point decided in his head whereby if he wasn’t successful then he never would be. The second is the writing of the final song. The musical Larson is working on is the labour of nearly a decade and is one song from being completed. Having agreed to do a presentation of the finished project Larson has little time to complete this song. Despite this, he finds himself in a block of sorts and as the presentation gets closer and closer and he is still unable to write, the pressure mounting in his head becomes destructive as he lets relationships fall by the wayside in desperate search of inspiration. The third is really the overview of the whole story - the ticks of inspiration before the explosion. This can apply to a couple of parts of the musical – for example, Jonathan’s desperate search for the final song before it suddenly hits him during a swimming session he took to calm down; or perhaps the wider view of the plot overall. The ticks representing the impending doom whilst Jonathan slaves away at his musical, before the boom signals the ultimate failure of his project, despite its appreciation by the audience at the presentation. Of course, Larson does go on to be a success (hence this musical) but just focusing on the arc of this particular project, the title fits perfectly.

Although a very different situation, I found myself throughout the whole film relating to Jonathan and his dilemmas. After all, it would be easy for him to quit and pursue a boring corporate life, get himself a nice apartment and live sensibly ever after, but this isn’t what he loves. His passion is writing musicals and despite the pain, poverty and heartbreak it seems to bring him, he just can’t bring himself to let it slip. Knowing who Larson is I knew he would write more plays, but even so, the musical still had me doubting. After the failure of his first project, I really found myself believing he may just quit, even though I know it not to be reality.

​Aside from the sensational music, I think that’s what I loved so much about this musical and film. It isn’t costumes, sets, make-up and high drama. It’s just honesty. A situation that is quite unique, but a feeling that many of us have been through or will go through. The persisting dilemma between passion and predictability, love and labour. The pressure of seeing people younger than yourself succeed, feeling like time is running out when really it isn’t. Of course, the real tragedy of this musical is that for Jonathan and his friend it was. Having tragically passed before ever getting to see the opening night of his huge success, and the musical after this one, ‘Rent’, I found myself wondering at the end. Jonathan never got to see his own victory, live in the glory or finally be able to live comfortably from the fruits of his labour; but if he were able to live his short 35 years the same way again – pursuing his dream and devoting himself to his passion – I’d say that he probably would. Michael presents another side to the story; a talented actor who spent his best years working in a corporate job he didn’t like to make ends meet. Neither is better or worse than the other, and some people’s dream is to be in a corporate environment, but the fact that it was clear that this was not the case for Michael is what makes it more tragic. With this in mind, and with the start of yet another new year, maybe our resolutions should be to chase that goal, pursue that dream or take a few more risks. We all have different dreams but it’s important for all of us that we give them a chance. 

0 Comments

    Buy print editions of Mindful Melody Issue 12 below!

    Buy now

      Subscribe below to get each issue straight to your inbox!

    Subscribe to Mindful Melody

    Articles List

    All
    3 Key Lifestyle Habits That Can Improve Your Mental Health
    Absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder-live-music
    Adam-douglas-on-his-middleaged-mental-health-awakening
    Adele-andy-find-perfect-harmony-on-where-i-belong-ep
    Ajeet-review-and-interview
    Album-review-mac-mcanallyrsquos-lsquoonce-in-a-lifetimersquo-is-both-a-soundtrack-and-an-antidote-for-our-times
    Am-i-right-to-be-optimistic-about-2021
    Amy-speace-interview
    And-a-little-help-from-the-forest
    And-being-born-for-the-stage
    And-do-we-need-to
    And-no-shoes-nation-how-fan-clubs-are-easing-lockdown-loneliness
    Andy Franks Interview - Music Support: Meet The Music Industry Veteran Working For Change
    A-new-way-forward-for-musical-theatre
    An-interview-with-mesita
    An-interview-with-thomas-corneill-from-young-martyrs-navigating-life-as-a-fulltime-musician
    An-interview-with-ziggy-alberts-bringing-unity-through-music
    Are Biopics Good For Fans?
    A-review-of-petrichor-ndash-jon-reynolds-the-aches-something-for-everyone
    A-talk-with-the-lead-wailer-aston-barrett-jr
    Bo Burnham's 'INSIDE' - Dark Comedy And Music Combine
    Bootleggers
    Breaking The Boundaries Of Genre And Mood An Interview With Jon Reynolds
    Breland Interview
    But I Think We Will Find A Common Ground": Finn Matthews Interview
    Can Music Be Your Coping Mechanism?
    Can We Seperate Artists From Their Music
    Carl Falk Interview: The Avicii Hitmaker On Friendship
    Channel Your Negativity Into Creativity
    Charlotte Young: Tackling Positivity And Negativity (Sometimes Simultaneously!)
    Christmas Music: The Marmite Of The Charts
    'Chris Tomlin & Friends': Joy That Transcends Religion
    Clipping. – Visions Of Bodies Being Burned Review
    'Come Home The Kids Miss You' - Did Expectations Ruin Harlow's Big Release?
    Denis Coleman - Pop Prodigy And Mental Health Ambassador
    Directioners
    Does Listening To Music Help Us Study?
    Don't Have Time To Create A Vision-board? Try This 'audio-board' Alternative
    “Don’t You Know That You’re Toxic?”: Why The Music Industry Really Is A 'poisoned Paradise' (Yingmin Khoo Guest Post)
    Drake White Interview
    Emma Moore Interview Finding Self-Love In Music And Society - Interview
    Escaping The Shuffle Society - How To Improve Mindfulness Through Music
    Everybody Dies Young
    Faith
    Faith Over Fear: Southern Gospel Artist Brent Cobb Talks To Maxim
    Fatherhood And Genre-fluidity
    Find Your Own Therapy
    From Bullied Teen To Chart-topper: Kelsey Bovey
    George Strait
    Gloria Anderson Interview: Cars
    Greetings From...The Marfa Tapes: Let Miranda Lambert
    Grief And The Songwriting Process
    Hardy On His Hopes For Hixtape Vol 2 And Being Country As Hell!
    "Hate Has Become The Default
    Headphone Holiday: Kenny Chesney
    How Can Music Affect Our Emotions
    How The Eagles Turned Back The Clock And Lit Up British Summer Time Festival 2022
    How Tik Tok Has Become The Industry's Hottest New Critic
    Humility And Heart
    Interview: Andreas Moe
    Interview: CalledOut Music
    Interview: Canaan Smith - How He Found Himself Through Fatherhood
    Interview: Essie Jain - Creating Healing Music For All Ages
    Interview: Haley & Michaels
    Interview: Kieran Lancini
    Interview: Kylie Morgan
    Interview: Morgan Wade
    Interview: Music Therapy With Tiziana Pozzo
    Interview: Tyler Braden On Small Towns
    Is The Music Industry Turning A New Leaf With Its Support Of Mental Health?
    "It's Time To Stop Living In My Head": Interview With Nashville's Olivia Lane
    Jack Ingram And Jon Randall Be Your Tour Guides On This Sonic Retreat
    JEEN-YUHS - WHY KANYE WOULD BE A BETTER LIFE COACH THAN YOU THINK
    Jhené Aiko's Chilombo: A Perfect Blend Of Peace And Passion
    Jhené Aiko's Chilombo: A Perfect Blend Of Peace And Passion
    Kenny Chesney
    Kezia Gill Interview
    Kristi Hoopes - Engagement
    Lathan Warlick Interview: How A Brush With Death Inspired His Music's Message Of 'God
    Live Music Is Changing
    Love And Unity'
    Low-Strung And Amped-Down: Unplug Your Mind By Going Acoustic
    Lyrical Life Lessons #2: 'Don't Blink'
    Lyrical Life Lessons #3 - 'Give Me More Time'
    Lyrical Life Lessons #5 Jake Owen
    Machine Gun Kelly Has Gifted Us The Realest Album Of 2020
    Mainstream Sellout - Did MGK Ignore The Critics?
    MAJE On Motivation
    Make Yourself A Musical Photo Album
    Man On The Moon III: Kid Cudi Finds Dawn After Years Of Darkness In This Modern Epic
    Maxim Speaks To Elliah Heifetz About Anxiety
    Meet The Man Determined To Bring More Positivity Into Country Music - An Interview With: Kyle Elliott
    Memories And Music
    Mental Health And Me #10-David: My Dream Band Line-Up
    Mental Health And Me #11-David: 'Sun Is Shining
    Mental Health And Me #12-David: 'The Drugs Don't Work'
    Mental Health And Me #2: Maxim
    Mental Health And Me #3: David Why 'How Are You?' Is My 2020 Kryptonite
    Mental Health And Me #3: Maxim - How Sad Songs Showed Me The Value Of Wholeness Over Happiness
    Mental Health And Me #4: Maxim - 'Pitch Perfectionism'
    Mental Health And Me #5: David
    Mental Health And Me #5: Maxim - Can You Dance Away The Lockdown Blues?
    Mental Health And Me #6: David - Meditation Memoirs
    Mental Health And Me #6: Maxim - How Country Music Showed Me The Power Of Gratitude
    Mental Health And Me #7: David - Was I Right To Be Optimistic About 2021? The Follow Up
    Mental Health And Me #7: Maxim - Can ‘mindful Listening' Help Ease Productivity-guilt?
    Mental Health And Me #8: David - Enjoying The Ride
    Mental Health And Me #9: David Was I Right To Be Optimistic About 2021 - The Trilogy
    Mental Health And Me: David
    Mental Health And Me; David #14: God's Plan - Why I'm Jealous Of Believers
    Mental Health And Me: David - How Running Made Me A Better Person
    Mental Health And Me: Maxim
    Mind Over Matter - Why Everything's Going To Be Alright (Even If It Isn't)
    Mitchell Kersley Challenges Toxic Masculinity On New Single
    Mod Sun's 'Internet Killed The Rockstar' - A Familiar Story
    More Than A Musician: Meet The Artist Making A Real Difference In The World Of Mental Health - An Interview With Serena Ryder
    Music
    Music And Grief By Ashley Broadhurst
    Music And Memory: The Healing Power Of Music (Yingmin Khoo Guest Post)
    My All-American Kenny Chesney Adventure
    My New 'Malibu Theory'
    National Identity - And Dad Jokes
    Nihilism In Rap Music: Misunderstood
    'Oh Man
    Our Top 10 Songs For...Peaceful Melancholy
    Our Top 10 Songs To Make You Laugh
    Our Top 10 Songs...to Relax To
    Our Top Ten...Slow Down And Simplify Songs
    Our Top Ten Songs...about Self-Love
    Our Top Ten Songs For...Peaceful Melancholy
    Our Top Ten Songs Of... Film/TV
    Our Top Ten Songs Of Nature
    Our Top Ten Songs Of... Summer Sun!
    Our Top Ten Songs To Hear Live
    Performance Anxiety: Friend Or Foe?
    Quadeca - I Don't Care Review
    Ray Fulcher Interview - "I Want People To Think
    Sampling - Creative Genius Or Cutting Corners?
    Sarah Louise: The UK Country Singer-songwriter That Just Wants You To Believe In Yourself
    Seafret Slow Down And Simplify With New Piano Sessions EP - Interview
    Self-Improvement And New 'Fly On The Wall' Project
    Should Your New Self-love Mantra Be A Rap Lyric?
    Songs That Get Me Through Lockdown - David
    Songs That Get Me Through Lockdown - Maxim
    Sounds That Heal And Relax: The Music Of Mindfulness
    Sound Therapy: A Vibe-check
    Spotify Recommended: Help Or Hindrance?
    Starz In Their Eyes – The Music Industry According To Just Jack
    Starz In Their Eyes – The Music Industry According To Just Jack
    Stereotypes And Saving Lives
    Sublime Simplicity - Quadeca's Atmospheric 'From Me To You' Album Reviewed
    Tamar Haviv: The Singer-songwriter Who's Making The World A Better Place
    Tebey Interview
    The 90% Gratitude Rule
    The 90’s Country Comeback: Why Cowboy Hats And Honky-tonks Are Striking A Chord With Gen-Z
    The 90’s Country Comeback: Why Cowboy Hats And Honky-tonks Are Striking A Chord With Gen-Z
    The Artist Making Iconic Songs Her Own - An Interview With: Lissie
    The Hot Girl Walk: Just Another Tik-Tok Fad - Or A Great Way To Boost Our Wellbeing?
    The Importance Of Being ERNEST - Flower Shops
    Then It's Okay If I Do Too.'"
    The Safety Of Familiarity
    The Sonic Ranch: Midland's Origin-story Digs Up Their Roots And Strikes Gold
    The Voice
    The Weather Is Sweet'
    Thomas Rhett Finds Happiness At Home On Country Again (Side A)
    Tick
    Tick… Boom! The Musical Of Honesty
    Tiera Kennedy Interview
    Tim Prottey-Jones - From Western To West End - And Back!
    Tom Cary - New Single 'Something In The Whiskey' Breaks Country Music's Heartbreak Streak
    Top 10 Motivational Masterpieces
    Top 10 Songs For Concentration
    Top 10 Songs For...Overcoming Heartbreak
    Toxic Or Positive?
    Vinyl Therapy
    Well If Ray's Got His Own Struggles
    Why 'Lonely' Confirms Justin Bieber's Move From Guilty Pleasure To Admirable Star
    Wren Kelly Tackling Society And Mental Health In New Single 'Game Over'
    Zac Brown Band - 'The Comeback' In Name And Nature
    Zane Williams Interview

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles