Tock Tick: Racing With The Clock

Despite the best efforts of the art form's admirers, there are still those who foolishly believe that musical theatre automatically trivializes serious subjects once the creators add song and dance to the drama.  If the mere thought of an oppressed Negro in the reconstructing South singing of a river or a pair of dancing street gangs fighting an inner city rumble can prompt objections, I can only imagine their response to hearing that Tock Tick, a courageous and adventuresome new musical by Gihieh Lee (story and music) and Tim Nevits (story, book and lyrics) deals with a 12-year-old girl trying to save her mother from dying of a terminal illness.  But without ever betraying the seriousness of their subject the authors and director Jackson Gay have put together a fantasy full of whimsical humor, engaging melodies, imaginative staging and loveable characters that mixes a life-affirming message with a tender understanding of the cold hard facts of death.  Recommended for children ten and older, Tock Tick is an excellent choice for young audiences, but there's plenty to enjoy for the older folks. 

 

Young Chelsea, played very convincingly by adult Jennifer Blood, is aware from the beginning that each tick of the clock means her mother (Maria Couch) is closer to dying.  Wanting to savor every chance of happiness with her child, mom turns Chelsea's thoughts to happier matters as together they look up at the night sky, inventing constellations and playing connect the dots with stars. 

 

But soon Chelsea finds herself magically visited by her chipper aviator Uncle Newton (Robby Sharpe) who she hasn't seen in five years.  It seems Newton has become a dragon-slayer, for it's dragons that live in a clock at the center of the universe who cause death by coming to get their designated human.  After the kindly Dr. Schwartzchild (David Foley, Jr.) offers a quick musical lesson in handling a sword ("Lift, Svhing, Plunge" is the charming number) Chelsea is off on a quest that connects her with villainous intergalactic cutlery merchants, a chorus of Gilbert and Sullivan-ish gondoliers (all of whom have lost their loved ones to dragons) and finally to a confrontation with her mother's dragon and a lesson about the unavoidable. 

 

Though the story is full of broad and wacky characters, Nevits' book is never childish.  His lyrics have a wit that's accessible to younger listeners and a direct sincerity that never gets maudlin.  He addresses death in a very simple, matter-of-fact manner, recognizing the sorrow people feel, but encouraging a healthy appreciation of loved ones while they're alive.  Lee's music offers a crazy grab bag of styles including mock-operatics, a bit of music hall, a German drinking tune and heroic anthems, but it also has lovely touches of pretty melodies. 

 

Gay, along with choreographer Stephanie Fittro and designers Aleksandra Maslik (set), Kate Cusack (costumes), Cat Tate (lights) and Daniel Erdberg (sound) create a colorful storybook atmosphere with an imaginative use of low-budget pieces. 

 

An energetic and appealing ensemble sounds great under music director Matt Vinson.  Jennifer Blood, in the central role, is especially impressive, finding a balance between singing as a child yet maintaining the gusto and warmth of her own more mature voice.  In similar fashion, the creators of Tock Tick have mounted a musical for younger audiences that has a mature enough voice to entertain and move the seasoned theatregoer. 

 

Photos by Carol Rosegg:  Top:  Robby Sharpe and Jennifer Blood

Bottom:  David Abeles, Robby Sharpe, Jennifer Blood, Christopher Graves and David Foley, Jr.