Tick, Tick… Boom!

Alternative Stage Founding Donor

Major Sponsor of the Greek National Opera

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.  

Tick, Tick… Boom!: A rock portrait between passion and time
Before leaving its indelible mark with the emblematic rock musical Rent —the work that was going to change Broadway forever —ambitious New Yorker composer, lyricist, and playwright Jonathan Larson (1960-1996) wrote the work Tick, Tick… Boom! in the late 80s, as a personal musical diary of a young creator who struggles to find his place in the world of music theatre. This work captured the composer’s personal experiences —his anxiety about the passing of time and the fulfillment of his dreams —as well as the power of creation.

Tick, Tick… Boom! was initially performed in 1990 under the title Bohemian Days as a monologue by Larson himself with his piano on stage. Later, it was adapted by Larson’s friend and colleague, Victoria Leacock, and playwright David Auburn into a chamber musical for three performers, with vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus. After the creator’s sudden death, just before turning thirty-six and only one day before Rent’s 1996 premiere, Tick, Tick… Boom! made its Off-Broadway debut in 2001. Although that initial production was abruptly shut down due to the blow the performing arts took after the attack on the Twin Towers, its success both within the broader American circles and internationally was enough to ensure its lasting presence. Its journey culminated in a 2021 film adaptation, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Andrew Garfield, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

At the heart of Tick, Tick… Boom! is Jon, an aspiring composer—who shares the same name as the work’s creator—struggling to complete a piece he hopes will establish his reputation: a science fiction musical called Superbia. His partner, dancer Susan, is considering leaving New York; his friend, Michael, has already left acting to pursue a more stable career in the corporate world. Our hero stands at a crossroads: should he insist on pursuing his dream of building a career in musicals or give in to the routine? Meanwhile, his 30th birthday countdown is ticking, both literally and metaphorically. Amidst the ticking clock, Jon’s youthful ambition encounters existential agony, erupting in deafening sounds.

Featuring explosive music, unforgettable songs, humour, and emotion, Tick, Tick… Boom! is a vibrant piece about life, death, and the power of art – a rock portrait of its creator, pulsating between passion and time.

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 translation of both the libretto and lyrics by Julia Diamantopoulou has been a personal exploration for her. As she notes: “My journey through Tick, Tick… Boom! was an exploration of a universe where time is always present: as a rhythm, an enemy, and a catalyst. I returned to the 90s and saw the thread that connects the past with the present. Larson dares to be intimate, writing with equal parts of humour and doubt. Behind every word, frustration, and doubt, shines the inextinguishable light of a young artist who dreams of fulfilling his potential; an artist eager to become the voice of his generation while also being terrified that he might not make it in time.”

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 30^th 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.”

The production will be conducted by Michalis Papapetrou, an experienced conductor in this genre.

The set and costumes were designed by Niki Psyhogiou. Ioli Filippakopoulou is responsible for the movement and choreography, Christos Tziogkas designed the lighting, and David Blouin created the sound design. 

The roles will be performed by three talented young actors and singers: Paris Paraskevadis as Jon, Argyris Lambrou as Michael, and Danai Vasilopoulou as Susan.  

The instrumental ensemble consists of Giannis Angelopoulos (drums), Grigoris Danis (guitar), Manos Anagnostopoulos (bass), Michalis Papapetrou and Frixos Mortzos (piano synthesizer).

In collaboration with Music Theatre International: www.mtishows.eu

Fully accessible performances
The performances of the musical TICK, TICK… BOOM! will be fully accessible on the 10th & 11th of January 2026, providing an inclusive audiovisual experience for all audiences. In this context, there will be designated seats for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and use Greek Sign Language, places for those who rely on captions (CAPS) covering the entire audio channel, as well as seats for individuals who are blind or have limited access to the visual channel of communication and use the audio description (AD) service. Guide dogs for the visually impaired will also be permitted.
Audience members who wish to use the accessibility services are requested to purchase their tickets at the GNO Box Office, over the phone at 2130885700, or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The full accessibility services for this production are included in the accessibility initiative cycle Altogether at the Opera, implemented with the support of Alpha Bank, as part of its Corporate Responsibility Initiative Culture for All.

The production “TICK, TICK… BOOM!” is part of the GNO Alternative Stage’s unit of programming titled “CYCLE OF THEMATIC CONCERTS”, which falls under the ACT “FESTIVAL EVENTS OF THE GNO ALTERNATIVE STAGE 2024-2025” » (MIS 6002467) with code 2024ΕΠ08570049 (Priority: “Fostering regional social cohesion through the enhancement of mechanisms and infrastructure to support employment, education, health care and socioeconomic inclusion” of the programme “Attica 2021-2027) and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and National Resources.