30 'Tick Tick Boom' Quotes about Reality, Time, and More

Jonathan Larson is nearing his 30th birthday and is still waiting tables while writing what he hopes will be a fantastic musical. As days near his much-awaited show, Larson feels pressure in different aspects of his life. Constantly hearing the clock ticking, he wonders if he is on the right path, doing the right thing with the little time he has left.

"Tick Tick Boom," released in 2021, is the film adaptation of Jonathan Larson's famous play of the same title. In the early 2010s, Lin-Manuel Miranda starred in its stage production, and almost five years later, he directed its movie version.

Both productions follow a similar storyline, where aspiring composer Jonathan navigates through life as an artist in New York City. He experiences friendship, love, and internal struggles with his anxiety, heightened by the ticking he hears in his head.

However, the "Tick Tick Boom" film adaptation is not precisely the same as the stage musical. While it carries similar themes, the way recognition plays a part in the storyline differs. Still, both have valuable learnings, excellent music, and relatable quotes.

Jonathan Larson with his quote: "The ticking is so loud now. I can't hear anything." | Source: Youtube.com/Netflix

Tick Tick Boom Quotes about How Fast Time Flies

"Lately, I've been hearing this sound everywhere I go. Like a tick, tick, tick." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"The ticking is so loud now. I can't hear anything." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"You get to a certain age, and you stop being a writer who waits tables, and you become a writer with a hobby." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"In eight days, my youth will be over forever, and what exactly do I have to show for myself?" – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"Whatever happens next, I'm here. I promise." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Jonathan Larson with his quote: “I'm HIV+. I think I may know a thing or two about running out of time." | Source: Youtube.com/Netflix

"I should have kids of my own by now, a career, but instead, I've been 'promising' for so long I'm afraid I'm starting to break the [expletive] promise." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"I'm HIV+. I think I may know a thing or two about running out of time." – Michael, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"They're singing happy birthday. I just wish it all were a dream. It feels much more like doomsday." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Tick Tick Boom Quotes That Evoke Realizations

"Are you letting yourself be led by fear or by love?" – Michael, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Karessa Johnson with her quote: “You just keep throwing them against the wall, hoping against hope that eventually something sticks." | Source: Youtube.com/Netflix

"I'm allowing myself to be led, my love." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"You just keep throwing them against the wall, hoping against hope that eventually something sticks." – Rosa Stevens, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"What is the point of money if you're not going to spend it on the people that you love?" – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"Everyone's unhappy in New York! That's what New York is!" – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"It would be a tragedy to give up what you have." – Michael, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Jonathan Larson with his quote: “I think this is a musical that knows exactly what it is." | Source: Youtube.com/Netflix

"Why should we try to be our best when we can just get by and still gain?" – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Tick Tick Boom Quotes about the Musical and Real Life

"I think this is a musical that knows exactly what it is." – Stephen Sondheim, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"Everything you are about to see is true. Except for the parts Jonathan made up." – Susan Wilson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"I'm the future of musical theater." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Jonathan Larson with his quote: “It's expensive to make art." | Source: Youtube.com/Netflix

"The sound you are hearing is not a technical problem. It is not a musical cue. It is not a joke. It is the sound of one man's mounting anxiety. I am that man." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"Jonathan" So what am I supposed to do now?

Rosa: You start writing the next one. And after you finish that one, you start on the next. And on and on, and that's what it is to be a writer, honey." – "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"It's expensive to make art." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"First, rate lyric and tune." – Stephen Sondheim, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"On the next one, maybe try writing about what you know." – Rosa Stevens, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Michael with his quote: “For someone who's broke, you can probably spend a little bit less on party planning." | Source: Youtube.com/Netflix

"A great song should sound great without any instruments." – Ira Weitzman, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Funny Tick Tick Boom Quotes

"I don't want you to have a job in advertising; I want you to have a job in jingle writing." – Michael, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"Last week, I wrote a song about sugar. It took me three hours." – Jonathan Larson, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

"WOW, the Berkshires. That's so far from Midtown." – Michael, "Tick, Tick… Boom"

Jonathan Larson with his quote: “Whatever happens next, I'm here. I promise." | Source: Youtube.com/Netflix

People of different generations easily relate to the "Tick, Tick… Boom" plot and the film's lessons. Besides believing in yourself, it also teaches viewers to pursue their dreams, regardless of time and age, as it is never a waste of time.

"Tick, Tick… Boom" stars Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson and Alexandra Shipp as Susan Wilson. It also has several other talents, including Vanessa Hudgens.

Readers who enjoyed "Tick, Tick… Boom" will also like "Glee," a musical series with universal themes and relatable quotes.