A minimal cast and a universe that transforms
The explosive autobiographical musical by the creator of the legendary Rent arrives with only 3 actors, 4 musicians and a single set that transforms into a towering birthday cake. Louizou constructs a surreal and atmospheric world to explore the emotional divide faced by every artist and every human being between passion and routine while asking with honesty What does it mean to say I made it
A personal milestone reflected onstage
This first collaboration between Louizou and the Alternative Stage becomes a deeply personal project. At a moment when she is also navigating her own arrival at 30 she stages a work that celebrates life creation and the power of music.
The pressure of time and turning 30
Louizou connects instantly with the autobiographical foundation of the musical.
She explains I have absolutely felt that anxiety around time especially regarding my artistic identity. When I was younger I used to say if by 30 I have not become a director I will need to find something else. But with time you realise that this is a trap. What does it even mean to say I made it I reached 30 and I am still not sure how I would answer my 25 year old self if they asked well did you make it or are you doing something else And what else would I even do
She adds that theatre was never simply a career choice but a life choice. Like the hero of the musical she recognises that each phase of life brings new concerns and therefore new motivation to create. This particular production is charged with the emotional weight of her own 30th birthday and everything it has brought.
Honesty as artistic engine
The disarming sincerity of Larson’s text became a driving force for the rehearsal process.
Louizou describes how reading the words of someone who was her age when writing them felt both moving and uncanny. Although the production never refers directly to Larson’s early death the knowledge of it heightened her response to the deeply human themes he left behind. His anxiety about time becomes for her a reminder of carpe diem and the simple truth that you only live once. As an artist and as a woman she notes that the passing years bring new pressures professional goals personal expectations the desire for stability and happiness.
Seeing time pass as an artist and as a woman so many new anxieties appear. The pressure of professional success and the narrowing window to achieve what you want blends with the pressure of personal happiness.
Emily Louizou
Living between two worlds and between dream and routine
Having lived in London for many years Louizou often feels suspended between two worlds two cultures two versions of daily life. This sense of division helped her approach the internal conflict at the heart of Tick Tick Boom the struggle between dream and routine romanticism and cynicism.
She has felt the need to devote herself entirely to a creative dream but also the pull toward a stable relationship a steady routine a conventional life whatever conventional may mean. The pressure intensifies as the protagonist approaches 30 while society insists on expectations tied to age something she finds frustrating. The noise of competing voices partner family career stability ambition makes it difficult for him and for any of us to hear our own truth.
Artistic conflict between passion and routine
A musical for 3 performers and the alchemy of a giant cake
One of the joys of Tick Tick Boom is that it is a pocket sized rock musical. The challenge was to create an explosive performance with only 3 actors and 4 musicians in a space that is anything but pocket sized. This led to bold choices by the creative team including scenographer Niki Psychogiou and choreographer Ioli Filippakopoulou.
The giant cake became central. Since the story unfolds during the week before the protagonist’s birthday the cake becomes a magic box of tricks generating nearly all the scenic objects and transforming into multiple spaces. This playful versatility becomes an ode to theatre itself which celebrates imagination creation and theatricality. Drawing from cabaret puppetry and slapstick comedy the production showcases the ability of performers to build entire worlds using only their bodies and voices.
Favourite moments
Louizou finds it hard to choose just one moment because each scene holds surprises and delightful chaos. But the one that always moves her is the final song when the 3 characters embrace tightly awakening themselves and the audience with a reminder that music can unite and awaken and help us choose love over fear. For her this final embrace is a powerful reminder of the importance of friendship.
The definition of personal happiness
For Louizou personal happiness is fluid and changing. Today it is linked to her work but she tries not to let work define it entirely. She strives for balance although she admits she often leans toward excess working 15 hours a day during production periods. Over time she has realised that travel even short trips replenishes the energy she needs for her artistic journeys.
On idols inspiration and moving forward after 30
Idols are essential to her not as figures of authority but as sources of inspiration. There are artists and teachers whose work and generosity have shaped her. In the musical a legendary composer leaves the hero a message praising his work. For this production Louizou invited director Stathis Livathinos to record the message an artist whose influence on her path has been profound. Their collaboration during 2020 and 2021 remains one of the brightest periods of her theatrical life.
Performance information
Tick Tick Boom by Jonathan Larson at the Alternative Stage of the Greek National Opera SNFCC
Performances on 6 7 14 18 20 21 23 24 26 27 28 30 December 2025
Performances on 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 January 2026
Start time 20.30 Sunday 19.30
Text translation and lyrics adaptation by Julia Diamantopoulou
Music direction by Michalis Papapetrou
Directed by Emily Louizou
Set and costumes by Niki Psychogiou
Movement and choreography by Ioli Filippakopoulou
Lighting design by Christos Tziogas
Sound design by David Bluen
Artistic collaborators Vivian Tsitampani and Aimilianos Stamatakis
Artistic collaborator and scenographer Paris Paraskevaopoulos
Cast John played by Paris Paraskevadis
Michael played by Argyris Lamprou
Susan played by Danai Vasilopoulou
Musicians Giannis Angelopoulos drums Grigoris Danis guitar Manos Anagnostopoulos bass Michalis Papapetrou and Frixos Mortzos piano and synthesizer
With English surtitles
