By Kai Bisby

The Artist's Struggle

For the struggling actor, life can be a difficult choice of passion over stability. Years ago, Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning (both posthumously) creator of the revolutionary rock musical Rent, was a struggling performer who hit a crossroads in life. Should he follow a friend into corporate America, or follow his girlfriend to a stable life away from the gritty pursuit of success in New York City? Thank the gods and goddesses that Larson instead chose to stay put. In a cabaret that he performed in New York years before Rent and his early death, Larson sang of his conflict. Now audiences can gain further insight into Larson's message in the West Coast Premiere's production of tick, tick ... BOOM, the intimate rock musical adapted from his original cabaret. Already staged in New York, London, and toured nationally, this production opens at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura (1006 E. Main St.) on Nov. 19, coincides with the national release of the film adaptation of Rent. Out actor Wilson Cruz, whom audiences know from film (Party Monster), television (My So-Called Life), and stage (Rent), will be reprising his role as Larson's best friend Michael. While being one of the lucky few who has experienced success as an actor, Wilson is no stranger to the artist's conflicts. "It's my struggle every day. I think it is every actor's struggle ... I have other friends who are in other fields, and there is some envy in that. They know that next week they are going to make a certain amount of money." Wilson admits that, even with his success, feeling comfortable is not necessarily part of the equation (unless you're Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie). "There have been some lean times ... how much of my life do I want to spend maintaining that success? It never becomes comfortable." He adds, "I actually do the work for free, it's the struggle that I get paid for." Unfortunately, Larson never got the opportunity to enjoy the success of Rent and its cultural impact. But the Larson family has made certain that his work and spirit were kept alive: "The Larson family dug it up and a team of people took this one-man cabaret and turned it into a three-person play," says Wilson. "I think Jonathan would be amazed. They really kept his spirit and his voice in the show. They have managed to keep him very much alive." Ultimately, tick, tick ... BOOM is about hope, living life fully, and having the courage to chase your dreams. Wilson says, "This show is about fear and love, which are the two powers that will guide any artist through their career." For tickets and information, call (805) 667-2900.