Tick, Tick… Boom! Brings Jonathan Larson’s Urgent Musical to the Adirondacks
Westport’s esteemed Depot Theatre.
In the heart of the Adirondacks, summer theater season takes center stage once again as Tick, Tick… Boom! arrives at Depot Theatre in Westport. Running June 25 through July 12, this intimate musical offers audiences a chance to experience the deeply personal story behind one of Broadway’s most influential voices, Jonathan Larson, long before Rent changed American theater forever.
Set inside the historic train station-turned-theater overlooking the shores of nearby Lake Champlain, the production adds another compelling chapter to an Adirondack summer filled with music, storytelling, and cultural discovery.
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The musical before Rent.
Before he became synonymous with Rent, Jonathan Larson was an ambitious young composer approaching his 30th birthday and wrestling with questions familiar to almost everyone.
Was he running out of time?
Tick, Tick…Boom! a musical by Jonathan Larson,
Should he keep chasing a dream that seemed increasingly uncertain?
Could he balance creative ambition with friendships, relationships, and everyday adulthood?
Tick, Tick… Boom! explores those questions with humor, honesty, and remarkable energy. Set in early-1990s New York City, the musical follows Larson's fictionalized alter ego as he confronts mounting pressure to create something meaningful before time slips away.
The result is part memoir, part musical theater concert, and part love letter to anyone who has ever wondered if they're behind schedule in life.
Why this Depot Theatre production stands out.
Unlike large Broadway spectacles, Tick, Tick… Boom! thrives on intimacy.
Its small cast, quick pace, and emotionally charged score place audiences close to the action. Every lyric feels personal. Every decision carries weight. Every ticking clock becomes impossible to ignore.
That intimacy makes the show a natural fit for the Depot Theatre, one of the Adirondacks' most beloved professional theater venues. The theater's close seating and historic setting allow audiences to experience Larson's story almost face-to-face, creating a connection that larger venues often struggle to replicate.
Adirondack theater with Broadway roots.
For travelers exploring the Essex County region, a night at the Depot Theatre offers more than entertainment.
The venue has earned a reputation for bringing professional productions to a scenic corner of the Adirondacks that many visitors might otherwise drive past on their way to Lake Placid or the High Peaks.
Pairing a performance with dinner in Westport, a walk along Lake Champlain, or a day exploring the region turns a theater outing into a memorable Adirondack experience.
Why the story still resonates.
More than three decades after Larson first wrote it, Tick, Tick… Boom! feels remarkably current.
The show speaks to artists, entrepreneurs, career changers, young professionals, and anyone navigating the often messy transition into adulthood. Its themes of ambition, uncertainty, friendship, and purpose remain timeless.
Playwright Jonathan Larson.
Perhaps that's why audiences continue to connect so strongly with Larson's work. The musical reminds viewers that creative success rarely follows a straight line—and that sometimes the pressure of a ticking clock becomes the very thing that inspires transformation.
ADK Taste recommendation.
Arrive early and spend some time exploring Westport before the performance. The village's walkable downtown and Lake Champlain views make an ideal pre-show pairing, particularly for visitors traveling from Lake Placid, Keene Valley, Ticonderoga, or the Lake George region.
Dine before or after the show at the historic (and tasty) Deer’s Head Inn in nearby Elizabethtown.
ADK Taste pick.
Listen closely to Larson's score. Many musical ideas, themes, and emotional threads that would later appear in Rent can be heard taking shape here, making this production especially rewarding for theater fans.
Go deeper with ADK Talks.
Inside the Depot Theatre: An ADK Talks conversation.
Before attending Tick, Tick… Boom!, listeners can learn more about the history, mission, and artistic vision of the Depot Theatre through ADK Talks.
In this episode, ADK Taste hosts Jane and Steve sit down with Depot Theatre leaders Aaron Jodoin and GiGi Mason to discuss professional theater in the Adirondacks, the venue's unique history, and why Westport continues to attract audiences from across the Northeast.
For travelers searching for theater in the Adirondacks, live performances near Lake Placid, or cultural experiences along Lake Champlain, this episode offers valuable local insight before the curtain rises.
Event details.
What: Tick, Tick… Boom!
Where: Depot Theatre, Westport, NY
When: June 25 – July 12, 2026
Rating: PG-13
Performance Schedule
June 25 — 5 pm
June 26 — 7 pm
June 27 — 5 pm
June 28 — 3 pm
July 2 — 5 pm
July 3 — 7 pm
July 5 — 3 pm
July 8 — 5 pm
July 9 — 5 pm
July 10 — 7 pm
July 11 — 5 pm
July 12 — 3 pm
Tickets are available online through the Depot Theatre. Visitors should check the theater's website for current pricing and availability.
As Adirondack summer unfolds, Tick, Tick… Boom! offers a powerful reminder that life's deadlines can feel daunting—but they can also inspire some of our most meaningful work.
For more Adirondack events, hidden gems, food finds, and seasonal travel inspiration, subscribe to In Good Taste, ADK Taste's weekly newsletter.
FAQ
When is Tick, Tick… Boom! playing at the Depot Theatre?
The production runs from June 25 through July 12, 2026, with performances on select Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Where is the Depot Theatre located?
The Depot Theatre is located at 6705 Main Street in Westport, New York, on the western shore of Lake Champlain.
Is Tick, Tick… Boom! appropriate for children?
The show is rated PG-13 for strong language, suggestive material, and drug references
How long is the run of the show?
The production runs for nearly three weeks, with twelve scheduled performances.
Is this the musical connected to Rent?
Yes. Jonathan Larson wrote Tick, Tick… Boom! before creating Rent. The musical provides insight into his life and artistic journey.
Can tickets be purchased online?
Yes. Advance online ticket purchases are recommended, especially for holiday weekend performances.
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