I remember back in 4th grade when my classmate taught us Seasons of Love to perform in our music class. I immediately loved the song. After that it’s just at the back of my head as some pop culture reference. I knew it was from RENT, and that its writer died before seeing its first performance. I was not a fan of musicals back then so I didn’t bother about the show.
Now I appreciate musicals, became a fan, watched slime tutorials, listened to cast recordings, even went to New York and watched Broadway shows. I watched the Rent TV live show and fell in love. I love the music, I love the songs, I love the love that the characters showed. I love that even though its a show about broke artists in New York City, its message spoke deep to me, as someone who’s just starting out in my career, wanting to make a name for myself. My respect for Larson was so high because of that show.
The only thing I know of Tick Tick Boom is that its Lin’s favorite show, when I was searching about him during my Hamilton peak. I didn’t bother for the songs or any footages. That’s why I’m so happy when I heard the news that it will be a movie, directed by Lin himself. As a fan, I know that it will be beautiful, meticulous and crafted with love. And I know Larson is Lin’s inspiration, so he’ll do his best to give his art justice.
And after watching it on Netflix (forever thankful for that), it’s the most beautiful thing that I’ve seen as someone turning 30. It’s just a fitting time for me to see and listen to Tick Tick Boom at this point of my life. I really enjoyed all the musical references, Sunday was especially a joy to watch. And omg Andrew Garfield IS Jonathan. He did such a good job portraying him, sometimes I even thought that they cut to actual footages. I was expecting so much for weeks that I got scared when it was finally on Netflix, because I might get disappointed lol. But it still blew me away. That’s Lin.
No day but today — Thank you for your music and art, Jonathan. Thank you Lin, for bringing his story to the big screen and to Netflix for the world to see. His music will live on, hopefully forever, and his legacy will live on in all of us.