BOOM YZ

Part 3 of the BOOM Trilogy (1996-2020) | The Music, Culture, and Events of Millennials and Generation Z

In October of 2021, Theatre Calgary hosted the world premiere run of BOOM YZ. It's the 3rd and final part of the BOOM Trilogy of solo multimedia performances created, directed, and performed by Rick Miller, which collectively span 75 years of history, politics, and music on our planet.

Each show in the BOOM Trilogy documents 25 years, in chronological order, drawing connections between global events, cultural milestones, and personal stories, all performed live onstage by Miller.

The first show, BOOM, kicks things off with a bang, as Miller guides us from the explosion at Hiroshima ending World War II in 1945, all the way to the Apollo 11 moon landing in July 1969. It follows the coming of age of his Baby Boomer parents, whose lives intersect in Toronto at the height of the hippie movement in the late 1960s.

With BOOM X (Part 2), Miller picks things up at Woodstock in August of '69, and takes us all the way to 1995, and the second Quebec independence referendum. It is Miller's own story that forms the spine of this sequel to BOOM, as he experiences the growing angst—and polarizing experiences—of "Generation X".

BOOM YZ (Part 3) stirringly brings to life the years 1996-2020, and shifts our perspective to "Generation Y" (Millennials) and "Generation Z". Miller takes on a variety of voices, including his own daughter’s, to reflect the aspirations and anxieties of young people today, and to bring the multi-generational story to a compelling close.

Credits

Rick Miller | Writer/Director*/Performer* 
Jeff Lord | Executive Producer
Aidan Ware | Lighting Designer/Technical Director
Nicolas Dostie | Video and Projection Co-Designer
Irina Litvinenko | Video and Projection Co-Designer
Rick Miller | Video and Projection Co-Designer/Set Designer/Sound Designer
Virginie Leclerc | Costume and Props Designer
Craig Francis | Stage Manager*/Dramaturg
Maev Beaty | Script Consultant
Sébastien Heins | Script Consultant
Graphic Design | Logograph
Music Licensing | Michael Perlmutter (Instinct)
International Touring Agent | Menno Plukker (Assisted by Isaïe Richard and Magdalena Marszalek)
Official Site | BoomShow.ca
Podcast Site | XingTheGap.com
Social Fb/Tw/Ig | @kidoons, @rickmilleractor, @BoomTheShow

*WYRD Productions engages under the terms of the Independent Theatre Agreement, professional Artists who are members of Canadian Actors' Equity Association.