Spotlight Community Theatre puts on the musical “Tick, Tick… Boom!” Thursday through Sunday at the Contrarian Concert Hall & Theater in Festus.
Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $20 and are available at spotlightjeffco.ludus.com.
Courtney Wisely, director of the shows and the founder and leader of Spotlight, said the musical, while entertaining, contains some mature language.
“We would rate the show PG-13,” Wisely said. “It’s not for younger kids.”
That said, “Tick, Tick… Boom!” should have broad appeal, she said.
“Anyone who enjoys rock music is going to love this,” Wisely said.
In a written statement, she said “Tick, Tick… Boom!” comes from Jonathon Larson, the creator of the musical “Rent.” The rock-driven musical is Larson’s semi-autobiographical story of him prior to achieving fame when he was facing the pressure of turning 30, chasing his dreams and wondering if the sacrifice was worth it, she said.
“What makes this show so special is how raw and real it feels,” she said. “Every artist, every dreamer, every person who’s ever felt the ticking clock of time will connect to it. This production has been a labor of love for our cast and team, and I can’t wait for audiences to feel that same heartbeat when they see it.”
The cast consists of: Austin Prince of Pevely; Brandon Dougherty of Crystal City; Sean Maloney of Arnold; Erin Bingenheimer and Nick Sullivan of Festus; Justine Ruble of Fenton; and Mateo Bluemel, Mikee Olegario and Natalie Smith of St. Louis.
Wisely, music director Debbie Anderson and band leader Scott Evans are all from Festus.
“Scott Evans, a Festus School District band instructor, will lead the band,” she said. “He recruited three other musicians, and we’ll have a four-piece band. It’s our first time to have a live band.”
In addition to Evans on piano, the pit band includes Shane Maue on guitar, Craig Vinyard on bass and Mike Sekelsky on drums. Maue and Vinyard are from St. Louis and Sekelsky is from Festus.
Wisely said the production has special meaning for those in the arts.
“Directing ‘Tick, Tick... Boom!’ has been an incredible experience because it speaks to every creative person who’s ever questioned if their work matters,” she said. “At Spotlight, we see that passion come to life through our local talent – and this show captures that heart perfectly.”
The Spotlight Community Theatre group is a nonprofit organization Wisely founded in 2022 and based in Festus.
For more information about the troupe’s productions and other activities, visit the Spotlight Community Theatre – Jeffco Facebook page or its website at spotlightjeffco.org.