BOOM Review

BOOM... WOW. It was a relatively calm Hollows' Eve when we had the treat of taking in Rick Miller's theatrical production of BOOM. As we filed into the theatre we were greeted with the sounds of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah in the background. Eventually the lights dimmed and Rick appeared on stage with a warm welcome and a brief description of what was to come.

BOOM is a solo performance by Rick that documents the music, culture and politics from the atomic 'boom' in 1945 through to the 'boom' of Apollo II landing on the moon in 1969. Rick portrays the voices of over 100 influential musicians, activists and politicians that shaped our world over those 25 iconic and revolutionary years. Recollecting stories or where I was at specific times, I found myself nodding my head thinking, "Yeah, I remember that".

As the evening progressed we were reminded of tragedies like WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam wars; the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson in 1959; the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961; and the assassinations of J. F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy throughout the '60s. But we were also transported back to memories of joyful and optimistic times like the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953; the first Corvette in 1953; the formation of Volkswagen of America in 1955; and Rick\'s renditions of famous musicians such as Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley and Fats Domino.

The production made for a very enjoyable and interesting evening and I got a chance to chat with Rick after the show. Having our memories refreshed of so many events that brought both tears and joy during the baby boom era stirred up new hope that we have learned from the achievements and mistakes of the past. This show is a must see for all of us who lived through these years and yes, even the younger, millennium generation could learn about the roots laid that helped shape their future as they move on in this ever changing world.