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There is a playlist. That is the most essential detail you need to know about BOOM X at The Grand Theatre. The international hit show is playing on the Spriet Stage from February 7th through 25th, 2023. Gemini and Dora award-winning Rick Miller take 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. Firmly planted in the post Boomer, pre-Millenial era, BOOM X covers 1970-95.
BOOM X at The Grand Theatre
This is the second installment of the trilogy, from the multi-talented Montreal native Rick Miller. Funny, engaging and energetic, his tour-de-force performance will keep you singing along to the songbook for Generation X.
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Boom played at the Grand Theatre in 2015 and covered his parent’s generation right up until the end of the baby boomers. In that installment, Miller finished off with 1969’s generation-defining Woodstock.
I hope the Grand Theatre brings back the last installment – BOOM YZ covering his children’s generation – with his daughter actively playing a role. It premiered in Calgary in 2021.
It would be great fun to watch that with our children (who are similar in age to his). I hope we don’t have to wait six years to have Rick Miller’s one-man show – extravaganza return.
In BOOM X, Miller goes from one character to the next imitating musicians, politicians even TV personalities playing more than 100 characters over 100 minutes. This is a considerable achievement with costume changes, puppetry and playing instruments.
There are masks, wigs, jackets, and hats mainly hidden by a sparkly, thinly veiled curtain.
The curtain hides the paraphernalia and props that are part of the show. This multimedia show also uses projection to show us old commercials (“hey, Mikey, he likes it”) and t.v. sitcoms which will make you cringe when you see them again. I remember watching that episode of Archie Bunker when Sammy Davis Jr. kissed him on the cheek just as a picture was taken. Not unusual by today’s standards, but controversial in the 70s.
“If BOOM was the story of my parents’ generation, then BOOM X is the story of my own generation: Generation X. 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 – BOOM X at The Grand Theatre
Why do you need to see this show? It is entertaining and full of surprises. As a Gen Xer, I loved reminiscing about my youth in Montreal. Rick Miller brings back memories of the FLQ crisis, the seismic change when the Parti Quebecois came into power, and the Olympic Stadium funding. These were relevant events in my life but less so for my husband, who grew up in Vancouver.
This may be the only criticism I have of the show; It was very focused on what happened in central Canada, targeting Montreal and Toronto often (Let’s Go EXPOs) and a rivalry which many other Canadians need not comprehend.
That said, Miller did a great job introducing pertinent political events which unfolded in the US and abroad. From Nixon’s impeachment and resignation to Gorbachev’s perestroika, the world became a very different place after the end of the Cold War. It was social change steeped in the excess of the 80s & 90s.
What makes this a personal journey is how Miller brings together the origin stories of four people. As he interviews them through the show, we see how each recollects their childhood, life and love through these formative years. These people don’t appear to be connected, although they are all connected to Rick Miller. As any good storyteller, he leads us to a climactic conclusion I was not expecting.
BOOM X at the Grand Theatre is well worth it. I highly recommend it. My husband like it so much, we wants to return with our adult children in tow. Will these Millenials and Gen Zers like the show? Absolutely, they’ve been listening to most of these songs at home, in the movies and on road trips to Quebec.
Theatrical productions you may want to see
- Controlled Damage at The Grand Theater in London, Ontario
- The Grand Theatre’s production of Elf: The Musical!
- My Kingdom for a Horse… Outstanding Richard III at The Stratford Festival
- What’s on at The Stratford Festival in 2023
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