Take 5 with Ilyse Robbins, Director/Choreographer of TICK, TICK... BOOM!

Beloved Norton and IRNE award-winning director and choreographer Ilyse Robbins is back at The Umbrella this fall with TICK, TICK… BOOM!, an electrifying autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson. 

Ilyse Robbins is delighted to return to The Umbrella having directed The Spitfire Grill and Lizzie: The Musical and performing in White Rabbit, Red Rabbit in previous seasons. She also recently directed or choreographed at other area theaters such as Lyric Stage (director, Noises Off!; choreography, Hello, Dolly!), Hub Theater (46 Plays...), Wheelock Family Theatre (Mr. Popper’s Penguins), SpeakEasy Stage (choreographer, A Man of No Importance), Central Square (choreographer, Rocky Horror), and more. Next, she'll direct A Sherlock Carol  for Lyric Stage Boston and Charlotte’s Web for Wheelock Family Theatre, as well as choreographing for Swept Away at SpeakEasy Stage.

Amidst lively rehearsals full of joy and movement, Ilyse “took five” with us to share her insights on this production and what audiences can expect from TICK, TICK… BOOM!

You said in rehearsals that this is your favorite Jonathan Larson piece. What do you appreciate about it?

I love so much about this piece. I feel that in this piece, Larson wrote about what he knew. His own life. The life of artists. Friendship. And I love the styles of music he incorporates. It's just beautiful storytelling.

What is it about this musical that makes it something audiences will appreciate seeing now?

It's all still - whether we like it or not - so relevant. Not just the themes about friendship and the arts, but the state of the world today. The connection that Johnny Shea as Jon creates with the audience is palpable. There is nothing like seeing theater live and connecting to the actors and the people around you.

What can you tell us about how design and/or choreography will help tell this story and shape the audience experience?

The designers have created an incredible world for us to play in -levels, entrances, and exits. And I storytell through movement. If you have me directing a piece, you have me choreographing it as well. And the design will take us back the 1990s. :) 

This show is set in 1990. What about the musical resonates with how you remember that time?

I lived this time - yes, I'm dating myself. The themes move me and the music brings me back to dancing to MTV in my living room with my best friends and roommates. And what it was like to be a starving and starting artist back then.

You have a powerhouse cast of three. What can you preview about each of your performers and how they fill our 350-seat proscenium with story and song?

All I can say is that these actors are special. Johnny engages the audience and plays in scene seamlessly and his vocal range is incredible. His storytelling – through monologue, scene, and song – is unparalleled. Anthony and Vanessa find nuance to each of their characters and move through them seamlessly and sing the heck out of their songs. 

Learn more about Ilyse at www.ilyserobbins.com

**indicates a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society