Rick Miller Returns to Grand Theatre with Explosive Multimedia Show: BOOM X
Grand audiences to experience humour, humanity, and a lot of voices
Written, Directed, and Performed by Rick Miller
On the Spriet Stage
February 7 - 25, 2023
Opening Night: February 10, 2023
February 2, 2023 – London ON – Following his smash-hit performance of BOOM in 2015, award-winning, multi-talented Rick Miller returns to the Grand Theatre with his highly-anticipated sequel production: BOOM X. Miller takes on the roles of writer, director, and performer in this international hit show, which utilizes a variety of dynamic, multimedia elements to bring the music, politics, and culture of Generation X to life. BOOM X plays on the Spriet Stage from February 7th through 25th, 2023 and tickets start at $35.
“After dazzling audiences in 2015, we are ‘stoked’ to welcome Rick Miller back to the Grand for his vibrant tour-de-force: BOOM X,” exclaims Grand Theatre Artistic Director, Dennis Garnhum. “Rick is a one-of-a-kind performer in our country – a true master of entertainment. I have no doubt that his sequel performance, packed with impressions, state-of-the-art technology, and iconic music, will be an instant hit with Gen X and audiences of all ages!”
BOOM X comes from the mind behind MacHomer and Bigger Than Jesus and is the central piece to the BOOM trilogy, which chronicles 75 years of history on stage. Picking up where BOOM, the first show of the trilogy, left off—at Woodstock in 1969—BOOM X tackles the music, culture, and politics of Generation X. Surrounded by award-winning multimedia, over the course of 100 minutes, Rick Miller plays over 100 voices —musicians, celebrities, politicians—in his own story of growing up and trying to navigate the tangled legacy of the Baby Boom.
“If BOOM was the story of my parents’ generation, then BOOM X is the story of my own generation: Generation X,” remarks Miller. “It is a personal story of someone who grew up in a blinkered society in the 1970’s and ‘80s, in a middle class, white bread, sexist, racist, homophobic world, trying to understand what role I can play and how I can make it better. It’s funny, moving, but ultimately touches on our shared humanity.”
Rick Miller is a Toronto-based Dora and Gemini award-winning writer/director/performer/musician/educator and host of the Xing The Gap podcast. He is the founder and creative director of WYRD Productions, and co-creative director of Kidoons. Miller’s worked in five languages on five continents, and Entertainment Weekly called him “one of the 100 most creative people alive today”.
While BOOM X focuses on the shared experiences of Generation X, Miller has designed the show (and the trilogy) to ultimately break down intergenerational barriers, and bring audiences together. Yet, the comedic artist still speaks fondly of his designated generation, noting: "But we so-called slackers have picked up the pieces of our childhood and turned them into some of the biggest achievements the world has ever seen! We weren’t born with the internet, we invented the internet! We came from broken families, but we redefined families! We grew up with sexism, racism and homophobia, and we conquered sexism, racism and homophobia! Ok, that’s a lie."
BOOM X is on the Spriet Stage from February 7th through 25th, 2023. Tickets begin at $35 and are available at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.
The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges the continued support of the 2022/23 returning Season Sponsor BMO Financial Group and BOOM X Title Sponsor, Ahria Consulting.
To learn more about BOOM X, please visit: grandtheatre.com/event/boom-x. Additional facts, photos, and updates can also be found by following @thegrandlondon and #GrandGoesBOOM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Grand Theatre wishes to acknowledge and honour the original stewards of the land on which our Theatre stands. Gratitude and recognition are extended to the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapewak peoples for preserving this land where we gather and create art.
About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud.
In the heart of downtown London, Ontario lies one of Canada’s oldest regional theatres and a leading cultural hub of today: the Grand Theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Evan Klassen, the Grand proudly presents diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe – and around the corner – on its two stages. The not-for-profit theatre is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through its COMPASS New Play Development program. Further, it is an ardent supporter of educational programming, as demonstrated through initiatives like the High School Project and Subsidized Student Matinees. For more information, visit: grandtheatre.com.
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For more information please contact:
Caitlin Core, Communications Manager
ccore [at] grandtheatre.com (ccore[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)
519-672-9030 ext. 266
MEDIA CALL
When: Tuesday, February 7th at 1:00 p.m. (Cameras, please arrive at 12:30 p.m. to set up)
Where: Spriet Stage, Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond Street, London, Ontario
What: BOOM X photo, video, and interview opportunities for media
THE CAST
Rick Miller
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Writer/Director/Performer – Rick Miller
Executive Producer - Jeff Lord
Dramaturg/Stage Manager – Craig Francis
Technical Director – Aidan Ware
Production Manager – Rick Miller
Video & Projection Co-Designer – Nicolas Dostie
Video & Projection Co-Designer – Irina Litvinenko
Lighting Designer – Bruno Matte
Costume & Props Designer – Virginie Leclerc
Set & Sound Designer/Composer – Rick Miller
Additional Music Production – Creighton Doane
