Ticking back into boomtown

What better way to celebrate the first-time-ever-in-Sac production of Rent than to reprise a local production of author Jonathan Larson’s first show? That’s right, before there was “Seasons of Love,” there was an ode to Twinkies (“Sugar”). See it again—or for the first time—as New Helvetia Theatre offers a limited nine-performance run featuring the same cast: Tristan Rumery as Jon, Nanci Zoppi as his girlfriend Susan, and Connor Mickiewicz as his best friend Michael. Jon—who might be a sock puppet for Larson—is fast approaching 30, and he can’t decide whether to stick with the whole musical writing thing or get a real job. It’s a bittersweet show, given that we know Larson died the night before Rent opened, but it’s a valuable piece of theater history—and it’s got some damn fine pop and rock songs. Tick, Tick … Boom! pairs with Rent like wine goes with cheese … or like Twinkies go with Ho Hos.

Tick, Tick … Boom! New Helvetia Theatre at the Artisan Theatre, February 3-13, $15-$20. For more information, visit the Web site at www.newhelvetia.org.