Tick, Tick... Boom!
Book, Music, Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Emily Louizou
Greek National Opera [Alternative Stage] - December 2025 & January 2026
The powerful and deeply humane rock musical Tick, Tick… Boom! by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Jonathan Larson, known as the creator of the legendary production Rent, will be performed for the first time in Greece, in a new, ambitious production by the Greek National Opera Alternative Stage. The work is an autobiographical musical that serves as a hymn to youthful anxiety, never-fading dreams, and the belief that no matter what may come, life must always go on… with music. Tick, Tick… Boom! will run for nineteen performances, from the 6th of December 2025 to the 11th of January 2026, rocking the GNO Alternative Stage’s world at the SNFCC with a wild party filled with powerful moments, tight embraces, intense emotions, and unforgettable songs.
Tick, Tick… Boom! was originally produced off-Broadway in June 2001 by Victoria Leacock, Robyn Goodman, Dede Harris, Lorie Cowen Levy, and Beth Smith. It tells the moving story of a young artist just before he turns thirty, struggling between dreams, artistic ambition, and the reality of a life filled with uncertainty. Set against the backdrop of New York in the early 90s, this work captures, with humour, passion, and a disarming honesty, the fear of time passing, the need to create, and the belief that, despite all obstacles, it is worth pursuing your passion. In its Greek version, the musical will be presented at the GNO Alternative Stage, with a translation and lyrics adapted by Julia Diamantopoulou, conducted by Michalis Papapetrou, and directed by Emily Louizou.
Three actors, ten characters, fourteen songs, and a celebration piece dedicated to dreams, youth, and the struggle between romanticism and cynicism.
Script consultant: David Auburn
Vocal arrangements and orchestrations: Stephen Oremus
Greek translation & lyrics adaptation: Julia Diamantopoulou
Musical direction: Michalis Papapetrou
Direction: Emily Louizou
Set, costume designer: Niki Psyhogiou
Movement, choreography: Ioli Filippakopoulou
Lighting designer: Christos Tziogkas
Sound design: David Blouin
Artistic collaborator: Emilianos Stamatakis
Assistant director: Vivian Tsitambani
Assistant set designer: Paris Paraskevopoulos
Jon: Paris Paraskevadis
Michael: Argyris Lambrou
Susan: Danae Vasilopoulos
Giannis Angelopoulos drums, Grigoris Danis guitar, Manos Anagnostopoulos bass, Michalis Papapetrou & Frixos Mortzos piano, synthesizer
Poster image by Andreas Simopoulos
Production photos by Giannis Antonoglou, Valeria Isaeva, Andreas Simopoulos
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The powerful and deeply humane rock musical Tick, Tick… Boom! by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Jonathan Larson, known as the creator of the legendary production Rent, will be performed for the first time in Greece, in a new, ambitious production by the Greek National Opera Alternative Stage. The work is an autobiographical musical that serves as a hymn to youthful anxiety, never-fading dreams, and the belief that no matter what may come, life must always go on… with music.
Tick, Tick… Boom! will run for nineteen performances, from the 6th of December 2025 to the 11th of January 2026, rocking the GNO Alternative Stage’s world at the SNFCC with a wild party filled with powerful moments, tight embraces, intense emotions, and unforgettable songs.
Tick, Tick… Boom! at the Alternative Stage, a celebration piece
In its Greek debut, the musical Tick, Tick… Boom! will come to life at the Greek National Opera Alternative Stage as a celebration piece—a vibrant party where life, art, and time converge in a single rhythm. Set against an imaginative set featuring a large birthday cake that constantly transforms, we follow Jon, who is just one week away from turning thirty, counting down to the big moment. He suddenly feels so alone. He wishes he could be a different version of Peter Pan or the Little Prince, hoping to gain a little more time on his journey toward realizing his dreams.
The musical is directed by emerging director Emily Louizou, in her first collaboration with the Alternative Stage. As she remarks: “In Tick, Tick… Boom!, from the very first moment, I was touched by the main character’s spontaneity, Larson’s authentic humour, the simplicity with which he presents the crucial dilemmas that practically everyone is called upon to face in their lives, and most of all, the way he masterfully walks the line between light and darkness. Just before the lights go out, just before Jon blows out the candles on his cake tonight, I am thinking that this year’s show is also a way for me to celebrate my own 30th birthday and pay tribute to my own idols. This is a celebratory performance about the power of friendship, the importance of a dream, and the courage to keep going even when everything around you seems so predictable and stagnant.”
