I just loved the movie “Tick Tick Boom” featuring Andrew Garfield about the life and times of composer Jonathan Larson who died on the opening night of his musical called RENT in January 1996 at the age of 35. What a tragedy made all the more infuriating because he was misdiagnosed by a doctor who said he just had the flu!
I believe Andrew Garfield should win the Oscar for his amazing performance. Who knew he could sing? The entire cast was magnificent as director Lin-Manuel loaded it with legends that were connected to Jonathan Larson, Hamilton or just Broadway itself.
The heart of the story is the struggling starving artist and how all their friends get real jobs and careers and get married and start families while they keep chasing their dream. It’s heartbreaking when Jonathan and his girlfriend realize that they have to part because he will not give up his passion.
I loved how Stephen Sondheim encouraged the young artist and inspired him to keep going after his 8 year musical Superbia failed to get produced… which lead to Tick Tick Boom and then RENT. By the way, the director of this film, Lin-Manuel Miranda saw Rent as a teenager and was inspired to get into musical theater which lead to Hamilton.
My favorite song is LOUDER THAN WORDS! I’ve listened to it so many times now and in so many different versions including the original Jonathan Larson version.
[JON]
Why do we play with fire?
Why do we run our finger through the flame?
Why do we leave our hand on the stove
Although we know, we’re in for some pain?
Oh, why do we refuse to hang a light
When the streets are dangerous?
Why does it take an accident
Before the truth gets through to us?
Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds
Fear or love, baby
Don’t say the answer
Actions speak louder than words
[MICHAEL]
Why should we try to be our best
When we can just get by and still gain?
Why do we nod our heads
[MICHAEL and JON]
Although we know
[MICHAEL]
The boss is wrong as rain?
[JON]
Why should we blaze a trail
When the well worn path seems safe and
[JON and SUSAN]
So inviting?
[SUSAN]
How, as we travel, can we
[JON and SUSAN]
See the dismay
And keep from fighting?
[JON] [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Cages or wings, Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds Ah:
[ALL]
Fear or love, baby
Don’t say the answer
[JON]
Actions speak louder than
(Louder than, louder than)
Words
What does it take
To wake up a generation?
[ALL]
How can you make someone
Take off and fly?
[JON]
If we don’t wake up
And shake up the nation
We’ll eat the dust
Of the world wondering why
[SUSAN]
Why do we stay with lovers
[SUSAN and JON]
Who we know, down deep
[SUSAN]
Just aren’t right?
[JON]
Why would we rather
[ALL]
Put ourselves through hell
Than sleep alone at night?
[JON]
Why do we follow leaders who never lead?
[MICHAEL]
Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution
[MICHAEL and SUSAN]
If we’re so free?
Tell me why
[JON]
Someone tell me why
So many people bleed
[JON] [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Cages or wings, Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds Ah:
[ALL]
Fear or love, baby
Don’t say the answer
[JON] [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Actions speak louder than Louder than, Louder than
Louder than, Louder than
[ALL]
Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
[JON] [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Ask the birds Ah:
[ALL]
Fear or love, baby
Don’t say the answer
[JON] [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Actions speak louder Louder than, Louder than
They speak louder Louder than, Louder than
Actions speak louder than…!
[ALL]
Words!
