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{{short description|Rock musical based on the 1988 film Heathers}} {{short description|Musical based on the 1988 film Heathers}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox Musical {{Infobox Musical
| name = Heathers | name = Heathers
| subtitle = The Musical | subtitle = The Musical
| image = Heathers The Musical Off-Broadway Poster.jpg | image = Heathers The Musical Off-Broadway Poster.jpg
| alt = | alt =
| caption = Off-Broadway promotional poster | caption = Off-Broadway promotional poster
| producer = J Todd | producer = J Todd
| music = {{Plainlist| | music = {{Plainlist|
* ] * ]
* ]}} * ]}}
| lyrics = {{Plainlist| | lyrics = {{Plainlist|
* Laurence O'Keefe * Laurence O'Keefe
* Kevin Murphy}} * Kevin Murphy}}
| book = {{Plainlist| | book = {{Plainlist|
* Laurence O'Keefe * Laurence O'Keefe
* Kevin Murphy}} * Kevin Murphy}}
| basis = '']''<br />by ] | basis = '']''<br />by ]
| productions = 2009 Workshop<br />2010 ] Concert<br />2013 ]<br />2014 ]<br /> 2018 ]<br /> 2018 ] | productions = 2009 Workshop<br/>2010 ] Concert<br/>2013 ]<br/>2014 ]<br/>2014 ]<br/>2018 ]<br/>2018 ] <br/>2018 ] <br/>2019 ], ]<br/>2021 ]<br/>2021 ] & ] tour<br/>2021 ]<br/>2021 ], ]<br/>2023 ] & ] tour<br/>2023 ]<br/>2024 ] & ] tour
<br/>2024 ] Revival <br/>2024 ] Tour <br/>2024 ], ]
| awards =
| awards =
| image_size =
}} }}
'''''Heathers: The Musical''''' is a ] with music, lyrics and book by ] and ], based on the ] written by ]. The producers include ], ], RJ Hendricks, and Andy Cohen. After a sold-out ] tryout, the show moved ] in 2014. After the run in 2014 the show had an Off-West End run in 2018 and then transferred to the ] in 2018 for a limited engagement. '''''Heathers the Musical''''' is a ] with music, lyrics and book by ] and ], based on the ] written by ].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Barnes|first=Frank|date=7 September 2015|title=Heathers: The Musical|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-688861414/view?partId=nla.obj-688904616|journal=Education|publisher=]|volume=96|issue=6|pages=31|via=]}}</ref> After a sold-out ] try-out, the show moved ] in 2014, with US producers including ], ], RJ Hendricks, and Andy Cohen.


In the United Kingdom, a workshop of the musical at ], held 5 sold-out presentations in the Studio from 30 May to 3 June 2017. The workshop featured Charlotte Wakefield as Veronica Sawyer and ] as J.D.<ref name=":1" />
While the show is a high-energy ], it opens conversations about dark issues, including bullying, teen suicide, ], and school violence.<ref> Playbill, March 2018</ref>

The show had its official London premiere in the Theatre at The Other Palace from June 9 to August 4, 2018, starring ] as Veronica Sawyer and ] as J.D.<ref name=":2" /> Produced by ] and Paul Taylor-Mills, directed again by ] and with choreographer/associate director Gary Lloyd,<ref name="bww" /> the London production transferred to the ] at the ], running from September 3, 2018, to November 24, 2018.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="bww" /> A new song for Veronica, "I Say No", as well as a few script changes to Act 2 were added for the transfer.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} A West End cast recording was released on Ghostlight Records on March 1. The album debuted at No. 24 on the Official Albums Chart.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}, and the production won the 2019 ] for Best New Musical. ] also won for Best Actress in a Musical.<ref name=":4" />

The musical returned to the West End with performances beginning on June 21, 2021, and ran at the ] until September 11, 2021. ''Heathers the Musical'' re-opened for a record-breaking season at The Other Palace in November 2021 after Bill Kenwright Ltd acquired the venue,<ref name="other">{{Cite web |last=other |date=2021-10-25 |title=Bill Kenwright Ltd. buys The Other Palace Theatre from LW Theatres Ltd. |url=https://theotherpalace.co.uk/bill-kenwright-ltd-buys-the-other-palace-theatre-from-lw-theatres-ltd/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=The Other Palace Theatre |language=en-GB}}</ref> where it ran until September 2023. The production has toured across the UK and Ireland in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and returned to the West End in 2024 for a . (the film and television company of Bill Kenwright Ltd) and ] released the pro-shoot stage capture of the show, shot at The Other Palace in 2022, on ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-02 |title=First look at "Heathers the Musical" filmed performance |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/first-look-at-heathers-the-musical-filmed-performance_57059/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> in the US in 2022, and it was released under Village Roadshow Pictures<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2023-03-28 |title='Heathers: The Musical': Village Roadshow, Kaleidoscope Team for U.K. Distribution (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/heathers-the-musical-village-roadshow-kaleidoscope-uk-distribution-1235566439/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment in the UK in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heathers: The Musical - Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment |url=https://kaleidoscopehomeentertainment.com/movie/heathers-the-musical/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On September 1, 2024, producers Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills announced the production would return to New York City in 2025, with further details to be announced.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-01 |title=Heathers the Musical to run in New York in 2025 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/heathers-the-musical-to-run-in-new-york-in-2025_1626632/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The show is a high-energy ] and involves dark subject matter, including bullying, ], ], and school violence.<ref name="writers">{{cite web |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Laurence |last2=Murphy |first2=Kevin |title=Heathers Writers Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy Break Down the Musical's Full Album Track by Track |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/heathers-writers-laurence-okeefe-and-kevin-murphy-break-down-the-musicals-full-album-track-by-track |website=Playbill |access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref>


==Synopsis== ==Synopsis==


===Act 1=== ===Act One===
In 1989, 17-year-old Veronica Sawyer despairs at Westerburg High School's hellish social hierarchy, where students like the obese Martha Dunnstock (Veronica's best friend) are tormented by ]s Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly, and the school is ruled by the Heathers: weak-willed Heather McNamara, ] and petty Heather Duke, and "mythic bitch" Heather Chandler. When Veronica's talent for ] gets the Heathers out of detention, they give her a makeover and elevate her to their inner circle ("Beautiful"). In ], seventeen-year-old Veronica Sawyer despairs at Westerberg High School's hellish ], where students like the heavyset Martha Dunnstock, Veronica's best friend, are tormented by jocks Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly, and the school is ruled by a ] called the Heathers: weak-willed Heather McNamara, ] and petty but repressed Heather Duke, and "mythic bitch" Heather Chandler. When Veronica's talent for ] gets the Heathers out of detention, they give her a makeover and elevate her to their inner circle ("Beautiful").


Chandler discovers Martha's crush on Ram, and orders Veronica to forge a love letter from him to Martha; tempting Veronica with the promise of popularity ("Candy Store"). The mysterious, poetry-quoting new kid, Jason "J.D." Dean, criticizes Veronica for betraying her friend. After J.D. wins a fight against Ram and Kurt, Veronica finds herself unexpectedly attracted to him ("Fight for Me"). Veronica's parents confess to their daughter that they are not sure they like her new friends and would prefer if she was friends with Martha again. ("Candy Store (Playoff)"). Three weeks later, Heather C. orders Veronica to forge a ] from Ram to Martha, tempting Veronica with the promise of popularity ("Candy Store"). The mysterious, ]-quoting new kid, Jason "J.D." Dean, criticizes Veronica for betraying her friend. After J.D. wins a fight against Ram and Kurt, Veronica finds herself unexpectedly attracted to him ("Fight for Me"). Veronica's parents confess to their daughter that they are not sure they like her new friends and would prefer if she hung out with Martha again ("Candy Store (Playoff)").


Veronica flirts with J.D. at a ], where he extols the virtues of the ] for numbing his grief ("Freeze Your Brain"). At Ram's homecoming party, Veronica gets increasingly drunk and high ("Big Fun"). When the Heathers cruelly prank Martha, Veronica angrily resigns from the ] and vomits on Chandler. Her reputation in ruins, Veronica breaks into J.D.'s bedroom and has ] with him ("Dead Girl Walking"). Veronica flirts with J.D. at a ], where he extols the ]s of the ] for numbing his grief ("Freeze Your Brain"). At Ram's ] party, Veronica gets increasingly ] ("Big Fun"). When the Heathers cruelly prank Martha, Veronica angrily resigns from the group and ] on Heather C., who in turn vows to destroy her reputation. With nothing left to live for, Veronica breaks into J.D.'s bedroom and has sex with him ("Dead Girl Walking").


After suffering tormenting dreams ("Veronica's Chandler Nightmare"), Veronica, with J.D. in tow, apologizes to Chandler and mixes ] cures for them. J.D. adds toxic ] to his mug as a joke, but the mugs accidentally get switched. J.D. notices this, but says nothing to Veronica. Chandler drinks from the poisoned mug and dies. Veronica panics, but J.D. convinces her to forge a suicide note; which paints a more complex, misunderstood Chandler. This fictionalized version of her wins the school's sympathy and she becomes even more worshipped in death than she was in life ("The Me Inside Of Me"). After suffering tormenting dreams ("Veronica's Chandler Nightmare"), Veronica, with J.D. in tow, apologizes to Heather C. and mixes ] cures for her. J.D. adds toxic ] to his mug and convinces Veronica into serving it to Heather C., who drops dead. Veronica panics, but J.D. convinces her to forge a ] note, which paints Heather C. as more complex and misunderstood. This fictionalized version of her wins everyone's ] and becomes even more revered in death than she was in life ("The Me Inside of Me").


Veronica tries to get on with her normal life, but she is berated and mocked by Chandler's ghost. She tries to rescue the Heathers from a drunk Kurt and Ram, who aggressively beg her for sex, but she gives them more alcohol until they pass out ("Blue" or "You’re Welcome"). Duke assumes Chandler's status and symbolic red ] while Ram and Kurt tell everyone they had sex with Veronica ("Blue (Reprise)" or "Never Shut Up Again"). Veronica is branded a slut ("Blue" (Playoff) - not included in West End and future productions), and when J.D. attacks the jocks to defend her, they savagely beat him. Veronica tries to get on with her normal life, but she is berated and mocked by Heather C.'s ], who warns that she had kept the other two Heathers in check and with her gone, things would only get worse. She tries to rescue the remaining Heathers from a drunk Kurt and Ram, who unsuccessfully try to ] her ("Blue" or "You're Welcome"). With Heather C. dead, Heather D. assumes her status and symbolic red ], becoming even more of a ] than Heather C. was, while Ram and Kurt tell everyone they had sex with Veronica ("Blue (Reprise)" or "Never Shut Up Again"). Veronica is branded as a ] ("Blue" (Playoff)—not included in West End and future productions), and when J.D. attacks the jocks to defend her, they savagely beat him.


J.D. and Veronica comfort each other and plan a vengeful prank: she will lure the jocks to the cemetery with the promise of making their fictional threesome real, then together they will shoot them with tranquilizer "Ich Lüge" bullets to knock them out before leaving a forged suicide note confessing they were gay lovers. When the jocks arrive, J.D. shoots Ram but Veronica misses Kurt. As she realizes Ram is dead and the bullets are real, J.D. shoots Kurt dead and proclaims his undying love to a horrified Veronica ("Our Love Is God"). J.D. and Veronica comfort each other and plan a vengeful prank: she will lure the jocks to the ] with the promise of making their fictional ] real, then together they will shoot them with tranquilizer "{{lang|de|Ich ]}}" bullets to knock them out before leaving another forged suicide note confessing they were ] lovers. When they arrive, J.D. shoots Ram but Veronica misses Kurt. As she realizes that Ram is dead and the bullets are real, J.D. then shoots Kurt dead and proclaims his undying love to a horrified Veronica ("Our Love Is God").


===Act 2=== ===Act Two===
At Ram and Kurt's funeral, a distraught Veronica reflects that they could have outgrown their immaturity ("Prom or Hell?"). Grief-stricken, Ram's Dad chastises Kurt's Dad for remaining ], until the latter suddenly kisses the former, revealing their own secret love affair. Confession brings ] and all vow to make the world a more tolerant place ("My Dead Gay Son"). Convinced the murders are for the greater good, J.D. urges Veronica to target Duke next. She refuses, so he complains about doing nothing in the face of injustice, revealing he witnessed his mother's suicide as a young boy, straining his relationship with his father and causing their constant moving around. Veronica gives him an ultimatum: give up violence and live a normal life with her or lose her forever ("Seventeen"). J.D. agrees and they reconcile. Martha tells Veronica she suspects J.D. of murdering the jocks, believing Ram's "love note" is proof. Veronica, urged on by Chandler's ghost, confesses that she forged the note to humiliate Martha, who runs off in tears. At Ram and Kurt's ]s, a distraught Veronica reflects that they could have outgrown their immaturity ("Prom or Hell?"). Grief-stricken, Ram's Dad chastises Kurt's Dad for remaining ], until the latter suddenly kisses the former, revealing their own secret love affair and Ram and Kurt are turned into martyrs to homophobia ("My Dead Gay Son"). Convinced the murders are for the greater good, J.D. urges Veronica to target Heather D. next. She refuses, so he complains about doing nothing in the face of injustice, revealing he witnessed his mother's own suicide as a young boy, straining his relationship with his father and causing their constant moving around. Veronica gives him an ultimatum: give up violence and live a normal life with her or lose her forever ("Seventeen"). J.D. agrees and they reconcile. Martha tells Veronica she suspects J.D. of murdering the jocks, believing Ram's "love note" to her is proof. Veronica, urged by Heather C.'s ghost, confesses that she was actually the one who wrote it. Martha is heartbroken and runs off in tears.


Guidance counselor Mrs. Fleming holds a televised therapy assembly ("Shine a Light"). She urges everyone to reveal their fears and insecurities, but only McNamara admits to suicidal thoughts ("Lifeboat"). Duke mocks her and whips the students into a frenzy. Veronica lashes out and blurts out a confession - "they didn't kill themselves! I killed them!" — but everyone laughs mockingly, believing she is only desperate for attention. Shortly after, McNamara tries to kill herself by overdosing in the bathroom, while Heather Duke taunts her in her subconscious ("Shine a Light (Reprise)"), but Veronica stops her. J.D., carrying a gun, tries to persuade Veronica to kill Duke once more. Realizing how unstable he is, Veronica breaks up with him. ("I Say No" in the West End version) ] (Teacher in the West End production) Ms. Fleming holds a televised therapy assembly ("Shine a Light"). She urges everyone to reveal their fears and insecurities, but only Heather M. admits to suicidal thoughts ("Lifeboat"). Heather D. mocks her and whips the students into a frenzy. Veronica lashes out and blurts out a confession—"They didn't kill themselves! I killed them!"—but everyone laughs mockingly, believing she is only desperate for attention. Shortly after, Heather M. tries to kill herself by ] in the bathroom, while Heather D. taunts her in her subconscious ("Shine a Light (Reprise)"), but Veronica stops her. J.D., carrying a gun, tries to persuade Veronica to kill Heather D. once more. Realizing how unstable he is, Veronica breaks up with him ("I Say No" in the West End version).


J.D. blackmails Duke into making the student body sign a petition. Martha, mourning Ram, jumps off a bridge ("Kindergarten Boyfriend"), but survives. Veronica rushes to the hospital, taunted by the ghosts of Kurt, Ram, and Chandler; with her parents attempting to assure her that they have been through everything she is going through ("Yo Girl"). She returns home, where J.D. breaks in. As she barricades herself in the closet, he reveals the petition, signed by every student, is actually a mass suicide note - along with his plans to blow up the pep rally and make it look like a mass suicide. He breaks open the closet to find Veronica dangling from a noose. Grief-stricken, he leaves to complete his plan ("Meant to Be Yours"). J.D. blackmails Heather D. into making the student body sign a ]. Martha, mourning Ram, tries to commit suicide as well by jumping off a bridge ("Kindergarten Boyfriend"), but survives. Veronica rushes to the hospital, taunted by the ghosts of Kurt, Ram, and Heather C., while her parents try to assure her that they have been through everything she is going through ("Yo Girl"). She returns home, where J.D. breaks in. As she barricades herself in her closet, he reveals the petition, signed by every student, is actually a mass suicide note—along with his plans to blow up the pep rally and make it look like a mass suicide, using his father's ] expertise to devise the plan ("Meant to Be Yours"). He breaks open the closet to find Veronica ]. Grief-stricken, J.D leaves to complete his plan.


Veronica, having faked her suicide, races to stop J.D. ("Dead Girl Walking (Reprise)"). She confronts him in the boiler room, but in their struggle, J.D. is shot. Unable to disarm the bomb, Veronica takes it to the empty football field. J.D. convinces her to let him take the bomb instead ("I Am Damaged"). It explodes, killing him alone. Veronica, having faked her death, races to stop him ("Dead Girl Walking (Reprise)"). She confronts J.D in the ], but in their struggle, he is shot. Unable to disarm the ], Veronica takes it to the empty football field, out of range to detonate the bombs. J.D. convinces her to let him take the detonator instead ("I Am Damaged"). It explodes, killing him alone.


Returning to school, Veronica takes the red scrunchie from Duke and ends the era of social ridicule. Veronica invites Martha and Heather McNamara to hang out, rent a movie, and be kids before childhood is over ("Seventeen (Reprise)"). Returning to school, Veronica takes Heather C.'s scrunchie away from Heather D. and kisses her on the cheek, ending the era of social ridicule. Veronica then invites Martha and Heather M. to hang out (depending on blocking, Heather D. is also included in some productions), rent a movie, and be kids before childhood is over ("Seventeen (Reprise)").


==Musical numbers== ==Musical numbers==
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* "Candy Store" (Playoff) † – H. Chandler, H. McNamara and H. Duke * "Candy Store" (Playoff) † – H. Chandler, H. McNamara and H. Duke
* "Freeze Your Brain" – J.D. * "Freeze Your Brain" – J.D.
* "Big Fun" – Ram, Kurt, Veronica, H. Chandler, H. McNamara, H. Duke and Students * "Big Fun" – Ram, Kurt, Veronica, H. Chandler, H. McNamara, H. Duke, Martha, and Students
* "Dead Girl Walking" – Veronica and J.D. * "Dead Girl Walking" – Veronica and J.D.
* "Veronica's Chandler Nightmare" † – H. Chandler and Company * "Veronica's Chandler Nightmare" † – H. Chandler and Company
* "The Me Inside of Me" – H. Chandler, Veronica, J.D., Ms. Fleming, Principal, Coach, Cops and Company * "The Me Inside of Me" – H. Chandler, Veronica, J.D., Ms. Fleming, Principal, Coach, Cops and Company
* "Blue" (2010-2018) – Ram, Kurt, H. Duke and H. McNamara * "Blue" (2010–2018) – Ram, Kurt, H. Duke and H. McNamara, Veronica
* "You're Welcome" (2018–present) †† – Ram, Kurt, Veronica * "You're Welcome" (2018–present West end ver.) †† – Ram, Kurt, Veronica,
* "Blue" (Reprise, 2010–2018) † – Ram, Kurt, H. Duke, H. McNamara and Students * "Blue (Reprise)" (2010–2018) † – Ram, Kurt, H. Duke, H. McNamara and Students
* "Never Shut Up Again" (2018–present) †† – H. Duke, Ram, Kurt and Ensemble (Replaces "You're Welcome" (Reprise) from the high school version) * "Never Shut Up Again" (2018–present and West end ver.) †† – H. Duke, Ram, Kurt and Ensemble (Replaces "Blue" (Reprise) from the high school version)
* "Our Love Is God" – J.D., Veronica, Ram, Kurt and Company
* "Blue" (Playoff, 2010–2018) † - Students
* "Our Love is God" – J.D., Veronica, Ram, Kurt and Company
{{col-break}} {{col-break}}
; Act II ; Act II
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* "Lifeboat" – H. McNamara * "Lifeboat" – H. McNamara
* "Shine a Light" (Reprise) – H. Duke and Students * "Shine a Light" (Reprise) – H. Duke and Students
* "I Say No" (2018–present) †† - Veronica and Ensemble * "I Say No" (2018–present) †† Veronica and Ensemble
* "Hey Yo, Westerburg" † – H. McNamara and Students * "Hey Yo, Westerberg" † – H. McNamara and Students
* "Kindergarten Boyfriend" – Martha * "Kindergarten Boyfriend" – Martha
* "Yo Girl" – H. Chandler, Ram, Kurt, Veronica and Veronica's Mom * "Yo Girl" – H. Duke, H. Chandler, Ram, Kurt, Veronica and Veronica's Mom
* "Meant to Be Yours" – J.D. and Students * "Meant to Be Yours" – J.D. and Students
* "Dead Girl Walking" (Reprise) – Veronica, J.D., Ms. Fleming, and Students * "Dead Girl Walking" (Reprise) – Veronica, J.D., Ms. Fleming, H. McNamara, and Students
* "I Am Damaged" – J.D. and Veronica * "I Am Damaged" – J.D. and Veronica
* "Seventeen" (Reprise) – Veronica, Martha, H. McNamara, H.Duke and Company * "Seventeen" (Reprise) – Veronica, Martha, H. McNamara, H. Duke and Company
{{col-end}} {{col-end}}


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†† Songs added to the West End version and all future productions. †† Songs added to the West End version and all future productions.


"You're Welcome" replaces "Blue," a song on the World Premiere Cast Recording. "You're Welcome" was originally written by O'Keefe and Murphy for the High School edition but was added to the official show beginning with the 2018 London production. O'Keefe and Murphy preferred "You're Welcome" as they had come to feel that "Blue" was a bit lazy, and had inadvertently trivialized the lead character's fears (given that Veronica is cornered by two drunk, entitled high school football stars who refused to hear the word "no"). While "Blue" contained no dialogue for Veronica, by contrast "You're Welcome" allows Veronica to express her fears and solve her problem, defeating her assailants decisively. As well as providing a more empowering alternative for Veronica, the new song remedies the way that "Blue" was often considered as “treating date rape as a laughing matter” and presenting sexual assault or harassment as “boyish antics”, due to the comical nature of the song.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Laurence |last2=Murphy |first2=Kevin |title=Heathers Writers Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy Break Down the Musical's Full Album Track by Track |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/heathers-writers-laurence-okeefe-and-kevin-murphy-break-down-the-musicals-full-album-track-by-track |website=Playbill |publisher=Playbill |access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> "You're Welcome" replaces "Blue", a song on the original cast recording. "You're Welcome" was originally written by O'Keefe and Murphy for the High School edition but was added to the official show beginning with the 2018 London production. O'Keefe and Murphy preferred "You're Welcome" as "Blue" had been perceived by audiences as “treating date rape as a laughing matter” and trivializing the issue by presenting it as comical, “boyish antics”. When asked to comment on the choice to replace the track, O'Keefe and Murphy stated that "'You're Welcome' doesn't shy away from showing that Veronica is in real danger from these two drunk football assholes."<ref name="writers"/>


A new song for Heather Duke, "Never Shut Up Again", was also added for the London run, replacing "Blue (Reprise)". For the 2017 workshop, there was a different song to replace "Blue (Reprise)", which became "Big Fun (Reprise)", part of which is now included in "Never Shut Up Again". In the last week at The Other Palace, the authors added a new song after "Shine a Light (Reprise)" called "I Say No", in which Veronica finally dumps J.D. when he proposes a return to murdering, telling him "you need help I can't provide" and walking out on him. The song remained in the show for the Haymarket run and was released on February 15, 2019, as the first single on the West End cast album. A new song for Heather Duke, "Never Shut Up Again", was also added for the London run, replacing "Blue (Reprise)". For the 2017 workshop, there was a different song to replace "Blue (Reprise)", which became "Big Fun (Reprise)", part of which is now included in "Never Shut Up Again". In the last week at ], the authors added a new song after "Shine a Light (Reprise)" called "I Say No", in which Veronica finally dumps J.D. when he proposes a return to murdering, telling him "You need help I can't provide" and walking out on him. The song remained in the show for the Haymarket run and was released on February 15, 2019, as the first single on the West End cast album.


==Background== ==Background==
Andy Cohen and ] secured the rights from&nbsp;]&nbsp;(the screenwriter of the film)&nbsp;and immediately thought of&nbsp;] to direct. After seeing&nbsp;Laurence O'Keefe's work with&nbsp;''Legally Blonde''&nbsp;and how he transitioned film to theatre, he decided to pair him with&nbsp;'']'' collaborator&nbsp;]. Originally, lyricist&nbsp;] was on the creative team, but she transitioned to joining producers Cohen and Harris.&nbsp; Fickman, Murphy and O'Keefe were also producers on the original productions in Los Angeles and New York. Fickman said of the experience, "we found that&nbsp;''Heathers''&nbsp;gave a great deal of opportunity for '80s commentary and a great chance for music and storytelling." Andy Cohen and ] secured the rights from&nbsp;]&nbsp;(the screenwriter of the film)&nbsp;and immediately thought of&nbsp;] to direct. After seeing&nbsp;Laurence O'Keefe's work with&nbsp;''Legally Blonde''&nbsp;and how he transitioned film to theatre, he decided to pair him with&nbsp;'']'' collaborator&nbsp;]. Originally, lyricist&nbsp;] was on the creative team, but she transitioned to joining producers Cohen and Harris. Fickman, Murphy and O'Keefe were also producers on the original productions in Los Angeles and New York. Fickman said of the experience, "we found that&nbsp;''Heathers''&nbsp;gave a great deal of opportunity for '80s commentary and a great chance for music and storytelling."<ref>{{cite web |last=Diamond |first=Jennifer |title=Education Spotlight: Photos of Student Cast of HEATHERS With Dan Domenech |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Education-Spotlight-Photos-of-Student-Cast-of-HEATHERS-With-Dan-Domenech-20170808 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=2 January 2022 |date=8 August 2017}}</ref>

==Development (2009–10)==
Three private readings of the work in progress were held in Los Angeles in 2009, each starring ] as Veronica. The first was in March at the Beverly Hills offices of Endeavor Agency (starring ] as J.D.); the second in June at the Hudson Theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard (starring ] as J.D.); and the third in December at the Coast Theatre in West Hollywood, starring ] as J.D. In each reading, ], ], and ] played Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/what-rhymes-with-corn-nuts-heathers-musical-will-receive-new-york-concert-com-168671 |title=What Rhymes With Corn Nuts? ''Heathers'' Musical Will Receive New York Concert |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |date=May 21, 2010 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020204240/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139765-What-Rhymes-With-Corn-Nuts-Heathers-Musical-Will-Receive-New-York-Concert |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=May 8, 2011 }}</ref>

On September 13–14, 2010, Heathers was presented as a concert at ]. The show was directed by ], and it starred ] as Veronica Sawyer, ] as Jason Dean, ] as Heather Chandler, ] as Heather McNamara, and ] as Heather Duke, James Snyder as Kurt Kelly, PJ Griffith as Ram Sweeney, and ] as Martha "Dumptruck" Dunnstock.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/142879-What-Is-Your-Damage-Heathers-The-Musical-Gets-Joes-Pub-Concerts-Sept-13 |title='What Is Your Damage?' ''Heathers: The Musical'' Gets Joe's Pub Concerts Sept. 13 |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |date=September 13, 2010 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220034659/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/142879-What-Is-Your-Damage-Heathers-The-Musical-Gets-Joes-Pub-Concerts-Sept-13 |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |access-date=May 8, 2011 }}</ref>


==Productions== ==Productions==


===Development=== ===Los Angeles (2013)===
''Heathers: The Musical'' played at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited engagement on the weekends from September 21, 2013, to October 6, 2013. The cast included ] as Veronica, ] as J.D., Sarah Halford as Heather Chandler, Kristolyn Lloyd as Heather Duke, and ] as Heather McNamara. The production was music directed by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/171449/heathers-the-musical-based-on-the-80s-movie-set-for-world-premiere-in-los-angeles/ |title=''Heathers the Musical'', Based on the '80s Movie, Set for World Premiere in Los Angeles with three different songs Fight for me (reprise)and A girl named Sue /A girl named Sue (reprise)(substituting Shine a light/Shine a light(reprise))|last=Snetiker |first=Marc |date=August 29, 2013 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref>
Three private readings of the work in progress were held in Los Angeles in 2009, each starring ] as Veronica. The first was in March at the Beverly Hills offices of Endeavor Agency (starring ] as J.D.); the second in June at the Hudson Theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard (starring ] as J.D.); and the third in December at the Coast Theatre in West Hollywood, starring ] as J.D. In each reading, ], ], and ] played Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/what-rhymes-with-corn-nuts-heathers-musical-will-receive-new-york-concert-com-168671 |title=What Rhymes With Corn Nuts? Heathers Musical Will Receive New York Concert |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |date=May 21, 2010 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020204240/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139765-What-Rhymes-With-Corn-Nuts-Heathers-Musical-Will-Receive-New-York-Concert |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=May 8, 2011 }}</ref>

===Off-Broadway (2014)===
The musical next played ], with previews beginning in March at ], directed by ]. Coincidentally, ] is also the name of the original film's distributor. The cast included ], ], and ] reprising their roles as Veronica, J.D., and Heather McNamara, respectively, with new additions being ] as Heather Chandler, ] as Heather Duke and Tony Award winner ] as Bill Sweeney/'Big Bud' Dean.<ref>{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=Tyler |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Barrett-Wilbert-Weed-Ryan-McCartan-Jessica-Keenan-Wynn-More-to-Star-in-HEATHERS-THE-MUSICAL-Off-Broadway-Full-Cast-Announced-20140206 |title=Barrett Wilbert Weed, Ryan McCartan, Jessica Keenan Wynn & More to Star in HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL Off-Broadway; Full Cast Announced |date=February 6, 2014 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref> The show began previews on March 15, 2014, and opened on March 31, 2014.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}


The original cast album was recorded on April 15–16, 2014, with an in-store and digital release of June 17, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/175467/so-very-heathers-the-musical-will-record-cast-album/ |title=So Very! ''Heathers: The Musical'' Will Record Cast Album |last=McPhee |first=Ryan |date=April 14, 2014 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=April 15, 2014 }}</ref> It was released a week early on June 10, 2014.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
On September 13–14, 2010, Heathers was presented as a concert at ]. The show was directed by ], and it starred ] as Veronica Sawyer, ] as Jason Dean, ] as Heather Chandler, ] as Heather McNamara, and ] as Heather Duke, James Snyder as Kurt Kelly, PJ Griffith as Ram Sweeney, ] as Martha "Dumptruck" Dunnstock, Eric Leviton as Ram's Dad, Kevin Pariseau as Kurt's Dad/Principal, Jill Abramovitz as Ms. Fleming/Veronica's Mom, Tom Compton as Hipster Dork/Preppy Kid, Alex Ellis as Goth Girl/English Teacher/Young Republicanette, and ] as Stoner Chick/School Psychologist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/142879-What-Is-Your-Damage-Heathers-The-Musical-Gets-Joes-Pub-Concerts-Sept-13 |title="What Is Your Damage?" Heathers: The Musical Gets Joe's Pub Concerts Sept. 13 |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |date=September 13, 2010 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220034659/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/142879-What-Is-Your-Damage-Heathers-The-Musical-Gets-Joes-Pub-Concerts-Sept-13 |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |access-date=May 8, 2011 }}</ref>


The production played its final performance on August 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rosky |first=Nicole |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/HEATHERS-Sets-Early-August-Closing-Date-Off-Broadway-20140710 |title=HEATHERS Sets Early August Closing Date Off-Broadway |date=July 10, 2014 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=July 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/schools-out-heathers-the-musical-to-close-off-broadway-com-324382 |title=School's Out: ''Heathers: The Musical'' to Close Off-Broadway |date=2014-07-10 |website=Playbill}}</ref> According to star Ryan McCartan, the original goal of the ''Heathers'' production team was to eventually create a film adaptation of the musical, with McCartan signing on to the L.A. and New York productions with the promise of reprising his role in the film. For numerous reasons, a film adaptation never emerged.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCartan |first1=Ryan |last2=Fekete |first2=Samantha |title=A Heathers The Musical Movie Is Happening?? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx_aI0wGg8E |website=YouTube |date=April 6, 2024 |publisher=The Stage Door |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref>
===Los Angeles===
The show played at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited engagement on the weekends from September 21, 2013 to October 6, 2013. The cast included ] as Veronica, ] as J.D., Sarah Halford as Heather Chandler, Kristolyn Lloyd as Heather Duke, and ] as Heather McNamara. McLemore was the only Heather to remain with the cast when the show transferred to Off-Broadway, but after Alice Lee left the production, Kristolyn Lloyd reprised her role as Heather Duke.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/171449/heathers-the-musical-based-on-the-80s-movie-set-for-world-premiere-in-los-angeles/ |title=''Heathers the Musical'', Based on the '80s Movie, Set for World Premiere in Los Angeles |last=Snetiker |first=Marc |date=August 29, 2013 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref>


=== London/West End productions and UK tours (2018 to present) ===
===Off-Broadway===
A workshop of the musical at ], held 5 presentations in the Studio from 30 May to 3 June 2017. The workshop featured Charlotte Wakefield as Veronica Sawyer and ] as J.D.<ref name=":1">Hewis, Ben. whatsonstage.com, May 22, 2017</ref>
In 2013, it was announced that ''Heathers: The Musical'' would be brought to Off-Broadway, previews beginning in March at ], directed by ]. Coincidentally, ] is also the name of the original film's distributor. In February 2014, the cast was announced, including ], ], and ] reprising their roles as Veronica, J.D., and Heather McNamara, respectively, with new additions to the cast being ] as Heather Chandler, ] as Heather Duke and Tony Award winner ] as Bill Sweeney/'Big Bud' Dean.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Barrett-Wilbert-Weed-Ryan-McCartan-Jessica-Keenan-Wynn-More-to-Star-in-HEATHERS-THE-MUSICAL-Off-Broadway-Full-Cast-Announced-20140206 |title=Barrett Wilbert Weed, Ryan McCartan, Jessica Keenan Wynn & More to Star in HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL Off-Broadway; Full Cast Announced |date=February 6, 2014 |website=Broadway World |access-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref> The show began previews on March 15, 2014, and opened on March 31, 2014.


The show had its official London premiere in the Theatre at The Other Palace from June 9 to August 4, 2018, starring ] as Veronica Sawyer and ] as J.D.<ref name=":2">Hewis, Ben. , whatsonstage.com, May 18, 2018</ref> The production is produced by ] and Paul Taylor-Mills, directed again by ] and with choreographer/associate director Gary Lloyd.<ref name=bww/> For the London production "Blue" has been changed to the new song "You're Welcome" and Heather Duke has received her own song "Never Shut Up Again" as well as a few script changes.
A cast album was recorded on April 15–16, 2014 with an in-store and digital release of June 17, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/175467/so-very-heathers-the-musical-will-record-cast-album/ |title=So Very! ''Heathers: The Musical'' Will Record Cast Album |last=McPhee |first=Ryan |date=April 14, 2014 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=April 15, 2014 }}</ref> It was released a week early on June 10, 2014.


''Heathers'' transferred to the ] at the ], running from September 3, 2018, to November 24, 2018.<ref name=":3"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113202641/https://officiallondontheatre.com/show/heathers-musical-111413686/ |date=January 13, 2023 }} officiallondontheatre.com, retrieved July 23, 2019</ref><ref name=bww> broadwayworld.com, July 5, 2018</ref> A new song for Veronica, "I Say No", as well as a few script changes to Act 2 were added for the transfer.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} A West End cast recording was released on Ghostlight Records on March 1. The album debuted at No. 24 on the Official Albums Chart.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
''Heathers: The Musical'' played its final performance at ] on August 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/HEATHERS-Sets-Early-August-Closing-Date-Off-Broadway-20140710 |title=HEATHERS Sets Early August Closing Date Off-Broadway |date=July 10, 2014 |website=Broadway World |access-date=July 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.playbill.com/article/schools-out-heathers-the-musical-to-close-off-broadway-com-324382 |title = School's Out: Heathers: The Musical to Close Off-Broadway|date = 2014-07-10}}</ref>


The production won the 2019 ] for Best New Musical. ] also won for Best Actress in a Musical.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Bowie-Sell |first=Daisy |title=''Hamilton'' and Aidan Turner among winners at 19th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/whatsonstage-awards-winners-full-hamilton-2019_48604.html |website=WhatsOnStage |date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
=== London ===
{{more citations needed|section|date = July 2019}}
A workshop of the musical opened at ] which held 5 presentations in the Studio from 30 May to June 3, 2017. The workshop featured Charlotte Wakefield as Veronica Sawyer.<ref>Hewis, Ben. whatsonstage.com, May 22, 2017</ref>


A UK & Ireland tour expected in 2020 was postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Following the workshop, the musical had its official London premiere in the Theatre at ] from June 9 to August 4, 2018, starring ] as Veronica Sawyer, Jamie Muscato as J.D., Dominic Andersen as Ram Sweeney, Edward Baruwa as Ram's Dad, and Jon Boydon as Kurt's Dad.<ref>Hewis, Ben. whatsonstage.com, May 18, 2018</ref> The production is produced by ] and Paul Taylor-Mills, directed again by ] and with choreographer/associate director Gary Lloyd.<ref name=bww/> For the London production "Blue" has been changed to the new song "You're Welcome" and Heather Duke has received her own song "Never Shut Up Again" as well as a few script changes.


The musical returned to the West End with performances beginning on June 21, 2021, and ran at the ] until September 11, 2021. The cast included Jodie Steele reprising her role as Heather Chandler.<ref name="tour">{{Cite web|title=Heathers West End Revival cast announced |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/exclusive-casting-west-end-heathers_54146.html|access-date=2021-04-08|website=www.whatsonstage.com}}</ref> The tour opened in ] on 5 August 2021 and finished in ].<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=BKL_Productions|number=1179697601786077184|title=HEY YO WESTERBURG! Who's ready to make 2020 BEAUTIFUL with a HEATHERS UK TOUR!? / @HeathersMusical @andyfickman @LarryIsOKeefe @kevinmurphyhc @PaulTaylorMills pic.twitter.com/YRKKe4H433|author=Bill Kenwright Ltd|date=2019-10-03|website=@BKL_Productions|access-date=2019-10-06}}</ref><ref>Hetrick, Adam. Playbill, October 3, 2019</ref>
''Heathers'' transferred to the ] at the ], running from September 3, 2018 to November 24, 2018.<ref> officiallondontheatre.com, retrieved July 23, 2019</ref><ref name=bww> broadwayworld.com, July 5, 2018</ref> A new song for Veronica, "I Say No," as well as a few script changes to Act 2 were added for the transfer.


The production then opened at The Other Palace in London in November 2021, following Bill Kenwright Ltd's acquisition of the venue.<ref name="other"/> After several extensions to the run, its final performance was on September 3, 2023, at The Other Palace. The revival was filmed in May 2022 at The Other Palace and was released on ] in the US September 16, 2022. The cast featured Ailsa Davidson as Veronica, Simon Gordon as J.D., Maddison Firth as Heather Chandler, Vivian Panka as Heather Duke, Teleri Hughes as Heather McNamara, Vicki Lee Taylor as Ms. Fleming/Veronica's Mom, Mhairi Angus as Martha, Liam Doyle as Kurt, Rory Phelan as Ram, Oliver Brooks as Kurt's Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper, and Andy Brady as Ram's Dad/Principle Gowan/Veronica's Dad.<ref>{{Cite web|title=London's Heathers the Musical to Be Filmed for Release |url=https://www.filmedonstage.com/news/526-londons-heathers-the-musical-to-be-filmed-for-release|access-date=2022-04-22|website=www.filmedonstage.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Filmed Heathers: The Musical to Stream Free as Roku Original {{!}} Filmed on Stage|url=https://www.filmedonstage.com/news/601-filmed-heathers-the-musical-to-stream-free-as-roku-original|access-date=2022-08-02|website=www.filmedonstage.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harms |first=Talaura |date=September 16, 2022 |title=Tune-In Alert! Heathers: The Musical Streams on the Roku Channel September 16 |url=https://playbill.com/article/tune-in-alert-heathers-the-musical-streams-on-the-roku-channel-september-16 |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
A West End cast recording was released on Ghostlight Records on March 1. The album premiered at No. 1 on the iTunes UK Soundtracks Charts and at #2 on the iTunes UK Album charts. The album premiered at No. 24 on the Official Albums Chart.


The show toured the UK & Ireland in 2023. It opened in ] on 14 February 2023 before finishing in ] on October 28, 2023.<ref>website showing tickets and dates https://www.heathersthemusical.com/tour</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2022 |title=Heathers the Musical on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/heathersmusical/status/1585566060035641344 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wild |first=Stephi |date=27 October 2022 |title=HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Will Embark on UK Tour in 2023 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/HEATHERS-THE-MUSICAL-Will-Embark-on-UK-Tour-in-2023-20221027 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |publisher=Broadway World |language=en}}</ref>
On March 3, 2019, ''Heathers The Musical'' won the Best New Musical award at London's ] Awards. ] also won for Best Actress In A Musical.<ref> whatsonstage.com, March 3, 2019</ref>


The show returned to the West End from 22 May to 6 July 2024 at ], before embarking on a UK tour starting at Theatre Royal Windsor on 24 July and ending at Cambridge Arts Theatre in November 2024.
=== UK tour & West End Revival ===
On October 3, 2019 it was announced via the Bill Kenwright LTD Twitter account that ''Heathers'' would be embarking on a UK tour in 2020 starting in June.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=BKL_Productions|number=1179697601786077184|title=HEY YO WESTERBURG! Who's ready to make 2020 BEAUTIFUL with a HEATHERS UK TOUR!? / @HeathersMusical @andyfickman @LarryIsOKeefe @kevinmurphyhc @PaulTaylorMills pic.twitter.com/YRKKe4H433|author=Bill Kenwright Ltd|date=2019-10-03|website=@BKL_Productions|language=en|access-date=2019-10-06}}</ref><ref>Hetrick, Adam. Playbill, October 3, 2019</ref> On April 8, 2021, it was announced that ''Heathers: The Musical'' would return to the West End on June 21, 2021, and will run at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket until September 13, 2021. The UK tour will start on July 28, 2021.<ref name="tour">{{Cite web|title=Heathers West End Revival cast announced {{!}} WhatsOnStage|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/exclusive-casting-west-end-heathers_54146.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-08|website=www.whatsonstage.com|language=en-GB}}</ref> The same day the UK tour cast was announced, with original London ensemble cast member Merryl Ansah playing Heather Duke on the tour. The West End revival cast was announced on May 28, with Jodie Steele reprising her role as Heather Chandler<ref name=tour/>


=== Notable US regional productions === === New York City 2025 ===
On September 1, 2024, producers Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills announced the production would return to New York City in 2025, with further details to be announced.<ref name=":5" />
In 2016 White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) presented the NY Regional Premiere of the production to sold-out audiences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/photos-the-new-york-regional-premiere-of-heathers-the-musical|title=Photos: The New York Regional Premiere of Heathers the Musical {{!}} Playbill|website=Playbill|language=en|access-date=October 14, 2018|date=2016-10-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/rockland/article/Photo-Flash-So-Very-First-Look-at-HEATHERS-THE-MUSICAL-at-WPPAC-20161013|title=Photo Flash: So Very... First Look at HEATHERS THE MUSICAL at WPPAC|work=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://patch.com/new-york/whiteplains/calendar/event/20161014/39461/heathers-the-musical-ny-regional-premiere-at-the-wppac|title=Heathers: The Musical - NY Regional Premiere at the WPPAC|date=October 4, 2016|work=White Plains, NY Patch|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.hamlethub.com/ryebrook/places/3971-white-plains-performing-arts-center-presents-new-york-regional-premiere-of-heathers-the-musical|title=White Plains Performing Arts Center presents New York Regional Premiere of Heathers the Musical|last=Leder|first=Anna|work=www.hamlethub.com|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en-gb}}</ref>


===Australia=== ===Australia===
The Australian premiere of ''Heathers: The Musical'' at the ] in Sydney was staged in July–August 2015. Directed by ] with choreography by Cameron Mitchell, it starred Jaz Flowers as Veronica Sawyer, ] as J.D., ] as Heather Chandler, Erin Clare as Heather McNamara, and Libby Asciak as Heather Duke.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/heathers-the-musical-review-impressive-calculating-and-anything-but-coy-20150723-giiuzi.html|title=Heathers the Musical review: Impressive, calculating and anything but coy|last=Bsslake|first=Jason|date=July 23, 2015|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=May 25, 2017}}</ref> The well-received production transferred the following year, with mostly the same cast, for seasons in Brisbane (Playhouse, ]) in January 2016, Melbourne (Playhouse, ]) in May 2016, and the ]'s Playhouse in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/stage-briefs/heathers-musical-brisbane |title = Heathers the Musical for Brisbane &#124; Stage Whispers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/heathers-the-musical-review-broadway-ballads-and-gutbusting-bignotes-betray-films-dark-edge-20160515-govf4k.html|title=Heathers the Musical review: Broadway ballads and gut-busting big-notes betray film's dark edge|last=Woodhead|first=Cameron|date=May 15, 2016|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=May 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/original-mean-girls-return-with-a-few-changes-of-cast-in-opera-house-run-of-heathers-the-musical/news-story/6f8aae3602be4cdc4154d56aff6730c1|title=Original mean girls return in Heathers|last=Hook|first=Chris|date=June 9, 2016|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=May 25, 2017}}</ref> An Australian production of ''Heathers: The Musical'' at the ] in Sydney was staged in July–August 2015. Directed by ], the cast included ] as J.D. and ] as Heather Chandler.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/heathers-the-musical-review-impressive-calculating-and-anything-but-coy-20150723-giiuzi.html|title=Heathers the Musical review: Impressive, calculating and anything but coy|last=Bsslake|first=Jason|date=July 23, 2015|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=May 25, 2017}}</ref> The production transferred the following year, with mostly the same cast, for seasons in Brisbane (Playhouse, ]) in January 2016, Melbourne (Playhouse, ]) in May 2016, and the ]'s Playhouse in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/stage-briefs/heathers-musical-brisbane |title = Heathers the Musical for Brisbane &#124; Stage Whispers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/heathers-the-musical-review-broadway-ballads-and-gutbusting-bignotes-betray-films-dark-edge-20160515-govf4k.html|title=Heathers the Musical review: Broadway ballads and gut-busting big-notes betray film's dark edge|last=Woodhead|first=Cameron|date=May 15, 2016|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=May 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/original-mean-girls-return-with-a-few-changes-of-cast-in-opera-house-run-of-heathers-the-musical/news-story/6f8aae3602be4cdc4154d56aff6730c1|title=Original mean girls return in Heathers|last=Hook|first=Chris|date=June 9, 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=May 25, 2017}}</ref>

===Germany===
There was a German production back in 2018 based on the off-Broadway version but including "I Say No"


===Brazil=== ===Brazil===
The Brazilian premiere of ''Heathers: The Musical'' at the Viradalata Theatre in ] was staged in October–November 2019. Translated by Rafael Oliveira, Directed by Fernanda Chamma and Daniela Stirbulov, with choreography by Mariana Barros, it started with Ana Luiza Ferreira as Veronica Sawyer, Diego Montez and Murilo Armacollo as J.D., Bruna Vivolo and Gigi Debei as Heather Chandler, Veronica Goeldi and Mariana Fernandes as Heather Duke, Carol Amaral, Isa Castro and Luisa Valverde as Heather McNamara. The well-received production soon was announced that it would return in May–June 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B7borzDn9_U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link}}</ref> but it was cancelled due to the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mundodosmusicais.com/2019/09/17/heathers-chega-ao-brasil-em-outubro-conheca-o-elenco/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/heathersmusicalbrasil/?hl=pt-br}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cenamusical.com.br/musical-heathers-ganha-primeira-montagem-brasileira/}}</ref> A Brazilian production was staged at the Viradalata Theatre in ] in October–November 2019. The production expected to return in May–June 2020 but it was cancelled due to the ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cavalheiro|first=Rodrigo|date=17 September 2017|url=https://mundodosmusicais.com/2019/09/17/heathers-chega-ao-brasil-em-outubro-conheca-o-elenco/|title='Heathers' chega ao Brasil em outburo; conheça o elenco|website=Mundo dos Musicais|language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Heathers Musical Brasil|url=https://www.instagram.com/heathersmusicalbrasil/?hl=pt-br|url-status=}}{{dead link|date=September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cenamusical.com.br/musical-heathers-ganha-primeira-montagem-brasileira/|title=Musical 'Heathers' ganha primeira montagem brasileira|website=Cena Musical|language=pt|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209033646/https://www.cenamusical.com.br/musical-heathers-ganha-primeira-montagem-brasileira/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Cast== ===Argentina===
An Argentinian production opened at the ] in ] on July 1, 2023, and closed on July 30, 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cineargentinohoy.com.ar/heathers-critica/ | title="Heathers". Crítica. &#124; Cine y Teatro Argentino | date=July 9, 2023 }}</ref>


===Poland===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
A Polish non-replica production based on the West End production opened on September 7, 2024 in Teatr Syrena in Warsaw, directed by Agnieszka Płoszajska.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2024 |title=Heathers |url=https://teatrsyrena.pl/heathers/ |website=teatrsyrena.pl}}</ref>

===Romania===
A Romanian production with the title ''Iubirea Noastră i Raiul'' (Our Love is God) was staged at the acting school Victory of Art in Bucharest, with the roles being played by the school's senior company (students aged 14 to 18). It has been running since June 9, 2024 in Sala Gloria, directed by ], the Romanian representative of ] who was eventually promoted to the role of J.D. in the most recent performance on December 19, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=contemporan |first=Om cultural |date=2024-07-01 |title=Iubirea Noastră-i Raiul! |url=https://profildeprofesionistcontemporan.substack.com/p/iubirea-noastra-i-raiul |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=Profil de Profesionist Contemporan}}</ref>

== Cast List ==

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- |-
! scope"col" width="15%"| Character ! rowspan=2 scope"col" width="15%"| Character
! Joe's Pub
! scope"col" width="14%"| Joe's Pub <br /> {{small|(2010)}}
! scope"col" width="14%"| Los Angeles <br /> {{small|(2013)}} ! Los Angeles
! scope"col" width="14%"| Off-Broadway <br /> {{small|(2014)}} ! Off-Broadway
!Australia
! scope"col" width="14%"| Off-West End<br />{{small|(2018)}}
! Off-West End
! scope"col" width="14%"| West End<br />{{small|(2018)}}
!West End Revival (2021) ! West End
! Germany
!UK tour (2021–22)
! West End Revival
! UK Tour
! Off-West End Revival
! 2022 Proshot
! UK & Ireland Tour
!West End Revival<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heathers the Musical |url=https://www.heathersthemusical.com/cast-2024 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Heathers the Musical |language=en}}</ref>
! UK Tour
! Poland
|-
!<small>2010</small>
!<small>2013</small>
!<small>2014</small>
!2016
! colspan="3" |<small>2018</small>
!colspan=2|<small>2021</small>
!colspan=2|<small>2022</small>
!<small>2023</small>
!colspan=3|<small>2024</small>

|- |-
! scope="row"| Veronica Sawyer ! scope="row"| Veronica Sawyer
| align="center"| ] | align="center"| ]
| align="center" colspan="2"| ] | align="center" colspan="2"| ]
|Hilary Cole
| colspan="2" align="center" | ] | colspan="2" align="center" | ]
|align="center"|] | align="center" | Michelle Hoffmann
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Rebecca Wickes | align="center" | Rebecca Wickes
| colspan="2" align="center" | Ailsa Davidson
| colspan="3" align="center" | Jenna Innes
| align="center" | Natalia Kujawa
|- |-
! scope="row"| Jason "J.D." Dean ! scope="row"| Jason "J.D." Dean
| align="center"| ] | align="center"| ]
| align="center" colspan="2"| ] | align="center" colspan="2"| ]
|Stephen Madsen
| colspan="2" align="center" | Jamie Muscato
| colspan="2" align="center" | ]
|Jordan Luke Gage
| align="center" | Kevin Kolodziej
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Simon Gordon
| align="center" | Freddie King
| align="center" | Simon Gordon | align="center" | Simon Gordon
| align="center" | Jacob Fowler
| colspan="2" align="center" | Keelan McAuley
| align="center" | Maciej M. Tomaszewski
|- |-
! scope="row" | Heather Chandler ! scope="row" | Heather Chandler
Line 170: Line 226:
| align="center"| Sarah Halford | align="center"| Sarah Halford
| align="center"| ] | align="center"| ]
|Lucy Maunder
| colspan="3" align="center" | Jodie Steele
| colspan="2" align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Franziska Wiethan
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Maddison Firth | align="center" | Maddison Firth
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Maddison Firth
| align="center" | Verity Thompson
| colspan="2" align="center" | Esme Bowdler
| align="center" | Aleksandra Gotowicka
|- |-
! scope="row"| Heather McNamara ! scope="row"| Heather McNamara
| align="center"| Corri English | align="center"| Corri English
| align="center" colspan="2"| ] | align="center" colspan="2"| ]
|Hannah Fredericksen
| colspan="2" align="center" | Sophie Isaacs
| colspan="2" align="center" | ]
|Frances Mayli McCann
| align="center" | Irina Deuble
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Lizzy Parker | align="center" | Lizzy Parker
| colspan="2" align="center" | Teleri Hughes
| align="center" | Billie Bowman
| colspan="2" align="center" | Daisy Twells
| align="center" | Karolina Gwóźdź
|- |-
! scope="row"| Heather Duke ! scope="row"| Heather Duke
Line 184: Line 254:
| align="center"| Kristolyn Lloyd | align="center"| Kristolyn Lloyd
| align="center"| ] | align="center"| ]
|Rebecca Hetherington
| colspan="2" align="center" | T'Shan Williams | colspan="2" align="center" | T'Shan Williams
| align="center" | Nina Knoll
|Bobbie Little
| align="center" | Bobbie Little
| align="center" | Merryl Ansah | align="center" | Merryl Ansah
| align="center" | Inez Budd
| align="center" | Vivian Panka
| align="center" | Elise Zavou
| colspan="2" align="center" | Sedona Sky
| align="center" | Joanna Gorzała
|- |-
! scope="row"| Martha Dunnstock ! scope="row"| Martha Dunnstock
| align="center"| Julie Garnye | align="center"| Julie Garnyé
| align="center" colspan="2"| Katie Ladner | align="center" colspan="2"| Katie Ladner
|Erin Clare
| colspan="2" align="center" | Jenny O’Leary | colspan="2" align="center" | Jenny O’Leary
| align="center" | Julia Spang
|Madison Swan
| align="center" | Madison Swan
| align="center" | Mhairi Angus
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Mhairi Angus | align="center" | Mhairi Angus
| align="center" | Kingsley Morton
| colspan="2" align="center" | Amy Miles
| align="center" | Marta Burdynowicz
|- |-
! scope="row"| Ram Sweeney ! scope="row"| Ram Sweeney
| align="center"| PJ Griffith | align="center"| PJ Griffith
| align="center" colspan="2"| Jon Eidson | align="center" colspan="2"| Jon Eidson
|Vincent Hooper
| colspan="2" align="center" | Dominic Andersen | colspan="2" align="center" | Dominic Andersen
| align="center" | Matthias Busch
|Joaquin Pedro Valdes
| align="center" | Callum Connolly | align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Rory Phelan
| align="center" | Tom Scanlon
| align="center" | Rory Phelan
| align="center" | Morgan Jackson
| colspan="2" align="center" | Jason Battersby
| align="center" | Jędrzej Czerwonogrodzki
|- |-
! scope="row"| Kurt Kelly ! scope="row"| Kurt Kelly
| align="center"| ] | align="center" | ]
| align="center" colspan="2"| ] | align="center" colspan="2"| ]
|Jakob Ambrose
| colspan="2" align="center" | ] | colspan="2" align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Sven Edthofer
|TBA
| align="center" | Ross Harmon
| align="center" | Liam Doyle | align="center" | Liam Doyle
| align="center" | George Maddison
| align="center" | Liam Doyle
| align="center" | Alex Woodward
| colspan="2" align="center" | Iván Fernández González
| align="center" | Karol Ledwosiński
|- |-
! scope="row"| Bill Sweeney / Big Bud Dean / Coach Ripper ! scope="row"| Bill Sweeney* / Big Bud Dean / Coach Ripper
| align="center"| Eric Leviton | align="center" | Eric Leviton
| align="center"| Rex Smith | align="center" | ]
| align="center"| ] | align="center" | ]
|Vincent Hooper
| align="center"| Edward Baruwa
| align="center"| Nathan Amzi | align="center" | Edward Baruwa
| align="center" | Nathan Amzi
|Simon Bailey
| align="center" | Matthias Busch
| align="center" | Simon Bailey
| align="center" | Kurt Kansley | align="center" | Kurt Kansley
| align="center" | Kieran Brown
| align="center" | Oliver Brooks
| colspan="3" align="center" | Conor McFarlane
| align="center" | Michał Konarski
|- |-
! scope="row"| Paul Kelly / Mr. Sawyer / Principal Gowan ! scope="row"| Paul Kelly* / Mr. Sawyer / Principal Gowan
| align="center"| Zachary Ford | align="center" | Kevin Pariseau
| align="center" colspan="2"| Daniel Cooney | align="center" | Zachary Ford
| align="center" | Daniel Cooney
|Jakob Ambrose
| colspan="2" align="center" | Jon Boydon | colspan="2" align="center" | Jon Boydon
| align="center" | Sven Edthofer
|Steven Serlin
| align="center" | Steven Serlin
| align="center" | Andy Brady | align="center" | Andy Brady
| align="center" | Sam Ferriday
| align="center" | Andy Brady
| align="center" | Jay Bryce
| colspan="2" align="center" | Alexander Service
| align="center" | Albert Osik
|- |-
! scope="row"| Mrs. Sawyer / Pauline Fleming ! scope="row"| Mrs. Sawyer / Pauline Fleming
| align="center"| Jill Abramovitz | align="center" | Jill Abramovitz
| align="center"| Rena Strober | align="center" | Rena Strober
| align="center"| Michelle Duffy | align="center" | Michelle Duffy
|Michelle Barrr
| colspan="2" align="center" | ] | colspan="2" align="center" | ]
|align="center"|] | align="center"|Christine Milo
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | Georgina Hagen | align="center" | Georgina Hagen
| colspan="2" align="center" | Vicki Lee Taylor
|-
| align="center" | Katie Paine
|}
| colspan="2" align="center" | Lucy Sinclair
| align="center" |Agnieszka Rose
|}<small>*Can be interchangeable between playing Paul Kelly and Bill Sweeney</small>


== Critical reception == == Critical reception ==


=== Off-Broadway === === Off-Broadway ===
''Heathers: The Musical''<nowiki/>'s ''2014'' Off-Broadway run was generally received well by critics and audiences alike. The musical was praised for staying true to the film while still having its own original additions to the storyline.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/off-broadway-review-heathers-the-musical-1201150670/|title=Off Broadway Review: 'Heathers' the Musical|last=Stasio|first=Marilyn|date=April 1, 2014|work=Variety|access-date=December 7, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> The score and choreography of the musical were also given praise.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/theater/heathers-the-musical-brings-back-guilt-free-mayhem.html|title='Heathers: The Musical' Brings Back Guilt-Free Mayhem|last=Brantley|first=Ben|date=April 1, 2014|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 9, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''Heathers: The Musical''<nowiki/>'s 2014 Off-Broadway production was generally received well by critics and audiences alike. The musical was praised for staying true to the film while still having its own original additions to the storyline.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/off-broadway-review-heathers-the-musical-1201150670/|title=Off Broadway Review: 'Heathers' the Musical|last=Stasio|first=Marilyn|date=April 1, 2014|work=Variety|access-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> The score and choreography of the musical were also given praise.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/theater/heathers-the-musical-brings-back-guilt-free-mayhem.html|title='Heathers: The Musical' Brings Back Guilt-Free Mayhem|last=Brantley|first=Ben|date=April 1, 2014|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 9, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


The musical, however, was criticized for the length and its characters not living up to the cast of the original movie. It has also been criticized for taking the dark themes of the source material and sanitizing them with bubbly music and cartoon-like characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/theater/heathers-the-musical-brings-back-guilt-free-mayhem.html|title=The Rich Girls are Going to Lose, for Once|last1=Brentley|first1=Ben|date=April 1, 2014|work=The New York Times|access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> The musical, however, was criticized for the length and its characters not living up to the cast of the original movie. It has also been criticized for taking the dark themes of the source material and sanitizing them with bubbly music and cartoon-like characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/theater/heathers-the-musical-brings-back-guilt-free-mayhem.html|title=The Rich Girls are Going to Lose, for Once|last=Brantley|first=Ben|date=April 1, 2014|work=The New York Times|access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref>


], writing for ], wrote "...Seasoned industry pros could pick up a few tips on the Do’s and Don’ts of adapting material from this smartly executed musical treatment of "Heathers"." She praised the lyrics but was not a fan of the music, writing: "Even at their giddiest, the lyrics never dumb down the characters singing them. Wish we could say the same for the music, which is brassy and blah and sounds nothing like the music that made the 80s the 80s."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/off-broadway-review-heathers-the-musical-1201150670/|title=Off Broadway Review: 'Heathers' the Musical|last=Stasio|first=Marilyn|date=2014-04-01|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref> ], writing for '']'', wrote, "easoned industry pros could pick up a few tips on the Do's and Don'ts of adapting material from this smartly executed musical treatment of 'Heathers.'" She praised the lyrics but was not a fan of the music, writing: "Even at their giddiest, the lyrics never dumb down the characters singing them. Wish we could say the same for the music, which is brassy and blah and sounds nothing like the music that made the 80s."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/off-broadway-review-heathers-the-musical-1201150670/|title=Off Broadway Review: 'Heathers' the Musical|last=Stasio|first=Marilyn|date=2014-04-01|website=Variety|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref>


]'s David Rooney stated: "Does the acidic comedy gain anything from being turned into a cartoonish pop musical? Hell, no. But as an extension of the movie's wicked pleasures, this version has its silly charms, as demonstrated by the rowdy response of the predominantly young audience. It's not exactly ''very'' -- to borrow from Heather-speak -- but for insatiable fans it might almost be enough, and the tacky high school-style staging seems somehow appropriate."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/heathers-musical-theater-review-692398|title=Heathers: The Musical: Theater Review|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref> '']''{{'}}s David Rooney stated: "Does the acidic comedy gain anything from being turned into a cartoonish pop musical? Hell, no. But as an extension of the movie's wicked pleasures, this version has its silly charms, as demonstrated by the rowdy response of the predominantly young audience. It's not exactly ''very'' to borrow from Heather-speak but for insatiable fans it might almost be enough, and the tacky high school-style staging seems somehow appropriate."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rooney|first=David|date=March 31, 2014|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/heathers-musical-theater-review-692398|title=Heathers: The Musical: Theater Review|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref>


The musical got two out of five stars from ]'s Alexis Soloski, who wrote: "The off-Broadway adaptation of the 1988 Winona Ryder/Christian Slater teen movie is sunny and snarky, but the dark subject matter calls for something more wicked."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/apr/01/heathers-review-musical-replaces-black-comedy-with-candy-colored-camp|title=Heathers review – cult 80s film becomes a candy-coloured musical|last=Soloski|first=Alexis|date=2014-04-01|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-06-23|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> But ] of the ] gave it four out of fives stars, writing "The first act moves briskly as director Andy Fickman and his cast wring every last comic drop out of the script and songs... The production nearly derails in Act II, having killed off its antagonists. The film had the same problem, but here the sweetened worldview saps the grand finale of its effectiveness. Still, seeing “Heathers” onstage is a joy."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2014/03/31/heathers-still-cliques-in-musical-re-imagining/|title='Heathers' still cliques in musical re-imagining|last=Vincentelli|first=Elisabeth|date=2014-04-01|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref> The musical got two out of five stars from '']''{{'}}s Alexis Soloski, who wrote: "The off-Broadway adaptation of the 1988 Winona Ryder/Christian Slater teen movie is sunny and snarky, but the dark subject matter calls for something more wicked."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/apr/01/heathers-review-musical-replaces-black-comedy-with-candy-colored-camp|title=Heathers review – cult 80s film becomes a candy-coloured musical|last=Soloski|first=Alexis|date=2014-04-01|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-06-23|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ] of the ] gave it four out of five stars, writing "The first act moves briskly as director Andy Fickman and his cast wring every last comic drop out of the script and songs... The production nearly derails in Act II, having killed off its antagonists. The film had the same problem, but here the sweetened worldview saps the grand finale of its effectiveness. Still, seeing “Heathers” onstage is a joy."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2014/03/31/heathers-still-cliques-in-musical-re-imagining/|title='Heathers' still cliques in musical re-imagining|last=Vincentelli|first=Elisabeth|date=2014-04-01|website=New York Post|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref>


Kyle Anderson of ] was harsher, giving the musical a C- rating: "''Heathers: The Musical'' misses just about everything that made the film great, making it not only a colossally disappointing adaptation of a beloved property but also a generally unpleasant theater experience." Kyle Anderson of '']'' was harsher, giving the musical a C− rating: "''Heathers: The Musical'' misses just about everything that made the film great, making it not only a colossally disappointing adaptation of a beloved property but also a generally unpleasant theater experience."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |title='Heathers: The Musical': EW review |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/04/03/heathers-musical-ew-review/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=2 January 2022 |date=3 April 2014}}</ref>


=== West End === === West End ===
The London production was flagged by critics because they felt complex issues such as homosexuality, bulimia and suicide were made light of for comedic effect, making parts of the show feel “dated and uncomfortable for a 2018 audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/review-heathers-the-musical-at-theatre-royal-haymarket|title=Review - Heathers the Musical starring Carrie Hope Fletcher at Theatre Royal Haymarket|last1=Longman|first1=Will|website=London Theatre|publisher=London Theatre|access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> The London production received mixed reception and was flagged by some critics because they felt complex issues such as homosexuality, bulimia and suicide were made light of for comedic effect, making parts of the show feel "dated and uncomfortable for a 2018 audience."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/review-heathers-the-musical-at-theatre-royal-haymarket|title=Review Heathers the Musical starring Carrie Hope Fletcher at Theatre Royal Haymarket|last=Longman|first=Will|website=London Theatre|access-date=27 May 2019|date=14 September 2018}}</ref>


== Awards and nominations == == Awards and nominations ==


===Original Off-Broadway Production=== ===Original Off-Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|- |-
Line 283: Line 400:
|} |}


=== Original West End production ===
== ''Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition)'' ==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
Following its 2014 Off-Broadway run, the musical gained ] from audiences that mirrored the characters at the fictional Westerburg High, and multiple high schools were putting in requests for the licensing rights; accordingly, an abridged "]" version was prepared, newly revised by writers Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, iTheatrics, and licensing company Samuel French specifically for student productions.<ref name="Gioia">{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/how-and-why-heathers-got-remade-for-high-school |title= How and Why Heathers Got Remade for High School |last=Gioia |first=Michael |date=September 13, 2016 |work=]}}</ref> Most of the profanity in the show was deleted, "Big Fun," "Dead Girl Walking," and the majority of the songs received rewritten lyrics and one new song, "You're Welcome" was written for the show to replace "Blue". The original playwrights - O'Keefe and Murphy - have since publicly stated that they prefer "You're Welcome" to "Blue", and the change was officially made for the London production of ''Heathers'' in June 2018.
|-
! style="width:5%;" | Year
! style="width:20%;" | Award Ceremony
! style="width:42%;" | Category
! style="width:23%;" | Nominee
! style="width:10%;" | Result
|-
| rowspan="6" align="center" | 2019
| rowspan="6" | ]<ref>{{Cite web|title=WhatsOnStage Awards 2019: The Winners|url=https://www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk//|access-date=2022-01-02|website=www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>
| colspan="2" | Best New Musical
| {{won}}
|-
| ]
|]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actress in a Musical
|]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
| Jodie Steele
| {{nom}}
|-
|Best Direction
|]
| {{nom}}
|-
|Best Lighting Design
|Ben Cracknell
| {{nom}}
|}


== ''Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition)'' ==
The world premiere of ''Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition)'' took place on September 15, 2016, at Pearce Theatre, ], ], Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/arts/performing-arts/2016/09/12/song-world-premiere-heathers-101-high-school-edition-opening-thursday-pearce-hs|title= Song from world premiere of 'Heathers 101: High School Edition,' opening Thursday at Pearce HS |last=Churnin |first=Nancy |date=September 12, 2016 |work=dallasnews.com}}</ref><ref name="Gioia"/>
Following its 2014 Off-Broadway run, the musical gained a ], and high schools requested licensing rights; accordingly, an abridged "]" version was prepared, revised by writers Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, iTheatrics, and licensing company Samuel French for student productions.<ref name="Gioia">{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/how-and-why-heathers-got-remade-for-high-school |title= How and Why ''Heathers'' Got Remade for High School |last=Gioia |first=Michael |date=September 13, 2016 |work=]}}</ref> Most of the profanity in the show was deleted, "Big Fun", "Dead Girl Walking", and the majority of the songs received rewritten lyrics and one new song, "You're Welcome" was written for the show to replace "Blue".<ref name=heathers101>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/arts/performing-arts/2016/09/12/song-world-premiere-heathers-101-high-school-edition-opening-thursday-pearce-hs|title= Song from world premiere of 'Heathers 101: High School Edition,' opening Thursday at Pearce HS |last=Churnin |first=Nancy |date=September 12, 2016 |work=dallasnews.com}}</ref><ref name="Gioia"/> O'Keefe and Murphy have stated that they prefer "You're Welcome" to "Blue", and the change was officially made for the London production of ''Heathers'' in June 2018 and all further licensed productions.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}


The first performance of ''Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition)'' took place on September 15, 2016, at Pearce Theatre, ], ], Texas.<ref name=heathers101/><ref name="Gioia"/> A Brazilian version, "Heathers – A Teen Musical" was set to open in 2020 at the Stunt Burger,<ref name="Stage">{{cite web |url=http://stuntburger.com.br/ |title= Stunt Burger }}</ref> but because of the ] it made some changes.<ref name="Insta">{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/heathersateenmusical/?hl=pt-br |title= Heathers: A Teen Musical Instagram}}</ref>
===Brazilian Version===
The Brazilian version of ''Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition)'' or "Heathers - A Teen Musical" was set to open in 2020 at the Stunt Burger,<ref name="Stage">{{cite web |url=http://stuntburger.com.br/ |title= Stunt Burger }}</ref> but because of the ] it made some changes. The version was well received by both the audience and critics.
<ref name="Insta">{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/heathersateenmusical/?hl=pt-br |title= Heathers: A Teen Musical Instagram}}</ref>


==In popular culture== ==In popular culture==
In 2019, a high school production of the musical is the focus of "]" episode of '']''. The ''Riverdale'' cast album of the musical was produced via ]. The lyrics from the songs in the episode are from the ''High School Edition'' of the musical with most of the profanity deleted.<ref name="RiverdaleRecap">{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/recap/riverdale-season-3-episode-16/|title=''Riverdale'' recap: Girls just want to have ''BIG FUN'' in ''Heathers'' musical episode|last=Highhill|first=Samantha|publisher=]|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/03/20/soundtrack-album-for-heathers-the-musical-episode-from-riverdale-to-be-released/|title=Soundtrack Album for ''Heathers the Musical'' Episode from ''Riverdale'' to Be Released|publisher=Film Music Reporter|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref> In 2019, a high school production of the musical is the focus of the "]" episode of '']''. The ''Riverdale'' cast album of the musical was produced via ]. The lyrics from the songs in the episode are from the ''High School Edition'' of the musical with most of the profanity deleted.<ref name="RiverdaleRecap">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/recap/riverdale-season-3-episode-16/|title=''Riverdale'' recap: Girls just want to have ''BIG FUN'' in ''Heathers'' musical episode|last=Highhill|first=Samantha|magazine=] |date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/03/20/soundtrack-album-for-heathers-the-musical-episode-from-riverdale-to-be-released/|title=Soundtrack Album for ''Heathers the Musical'' Episode from ''Riverdale'' to Be Released|website=Film Music Reporter|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
*{{Facebook|heathersthemusical|Heathers - The Musical}} *{{Facebook|heathersthemusical|Heathers The Musical}}


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Latest revision as of 14:56, 28 December 2024

Musical based on the 1988 film Heathers

Heathers
The Musical
Off-Broadway promotional poster
Music
Lyrics
  • Laurence O'Keefe
  • Kevin Murphy
Book
  • Laurence O'Keefe
  • Kevin Murphy
BasisHeathers
by Daniel Waters
Productions2009 Workshop
2010 New York Concert
2013 Los Angeles
2014 Off-Broadway
2014 St. Louis
2018 Off-West End
2018 West End
2018 Germany
2019 São Paulo, Brazil
2021 West End
2021 UK & Ireland tour
2021 Off-West End
2021 São Paulo, Brazil
2023 UK & Ireland tour
2023 Buenos Aires
2024 UK & Ireland tour
2024 West End Revival
2024 UK Tour
2024 Warsaw, Poland

Heathers the Musical is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy, based on the 1989 film of the same name written by Daniel Waters. After a sold-out Los Angeles try-out, the show moved Off-Broadway in 2014, with US producers including J. Todd Harris, Amy Powers, RJ Hendricks, and Andy Cohen.

In the United Kingdom, a workshop of the musical at The Other Palace, London, held 5 sold-out presentations in the Studio from 30 May to 3 June 2017. The workshop featured Charlotte Wakefield as Veronica Sawyer and Jamie Muscato as J.D.

The show had its official London premiere in the Theatre at The Other Palace from June 9 to August 4, 2018, starring Carrie Hope Fletcher as Veronica Sawyer and Jamie Muscato as J.D. Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, directed again by Andy Fickman and with choreographer/associate director Gary Lloyd, the London production transferred to the West End at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, running from September 3, 2018, to November 24, 2018. A new song for Veronica, "I Say No", as well as a few script changes to Act 2 were added for the transfer. A West End cast recording was released on Ghostlight Records on March 1. The album debuted at No. 24 on the Official Albums Chart., and the production won the 2019 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical. Carrie Hope Fletcher also won for Best Actress in a Musical.

The musical returned to the West End with performances beginning on June 21, 2021, and ran at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until September 11, 2021. Heathers the Musical re-opened for a record-breaking season at The Other Palace in November 2021 after Bill Kenwright Ltd acquired the venue, where it ran until September 2023. The production has toured across the UK and Ireland in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and returned to the West End in 2024 for a strictly limited season at @sohoplace. BK Studios (the film and television company of Bill Kenwright Ltd) and Roku released the pro-shoot stage capture of the show, shot at The Other Palace in 2022, on their streaming service in the US in 2022, and it was released under Village Roadshow Pictures and Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment in the UK in 2023.

On September 1, 2024, producers Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills announced the production would return to New York City in 2025, with further details to be announced.

The show is a high-energy black comedy and involves dark subject matter, including bullying, teen suicide, sexual assault, and school violence.

Synopsis

Act One

In 1989, seventeen-year-old Veronica Sawyer despairs at Westerberg High School's hellish social hierarchy, where students like the heavyset Martha Dunnstock, Veronica's best friend, are tormented by jocks Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly, and the school is ruled by a clique called the Heathers: weak-willed Heather McNamara, bulimic and petty but repressed Heather Duke, and "mythic bitch" Heather Chandler. When Veronica's talent for forgery gets the Heathers out of detention, they give her a makeover and elevate her to their inner circle ("Beautiful").

Three weeks later, Heather C. orders Veronica to forge a love letter from Ram to Martha, tempting Veronica with the promise of popularity ("Candy Store"). The mysterious, poetry-quoting new kid, Jason "J.D." Dean, criticizes Veronica for betraying her friend. After J.D. wins a fight against Ram and Kurt, Veronica finds herself unexpectedly attracted to him ("Fight for Me"). Veronica's parents confess to their daughter that they are not sure they like her new friends and would prefer if she hung out with Martha again ("Candy Store (Playoff)").

Veronica flirts with J.D. at a 7-Eleven, where he extols the virtues of the Slurpee for numbing his grief ("Freeze Your Brain"). At Ram's homecoming party, Veronica gets increasingly drunk ("Big Fun"). When the Heathers cruelly prank Martha, Veronica angrily resigns from the group and vomits on Heather C., who in turn vows to destroy her reputation. With nothing left to live for, Veronica breaks into J.D.'s bedroom and has sex with him ("Dead Girl Walking").

After suffering tormenting dreams ("Veronica's Chandler Nightmare"), Veronica, with J.D. in tow, apologizes to Heather C. and mixes hangover cures for her. J.D. adds toxic drain cleaner to his mug and convinces Veronica into serving it to Heather C., who drops dead. Veronica panics, but J.D. convinces her to forge a suicide note, which paints Heather C. as more complex and misunderstood. This fictionalized version of her wins everyone's sympathy and becomes even more revered in death than she was in life ("The Me Inside of Me").

Veronica tries to get on with her normal life, but she is berated and mocked by Heather C.'s ghost, who warns that she had kept the other two Heathers in check and with her gone, things would only get worse. She tries to rescue the remaining Heathers from a drunk Kurt and Ram, who unsuccessfully try to rape her ("Blue" or "You're Welcome"). With Heather C. dead, Heather D. assumes her status and symbolic red scrunchie, becoming even more of a tyrant than Heather C. was, while Ram and Kurt tell everyone they had sex with Veronica ("Blue (Reprise)" or "Never Shut Up Again"). Veronica is branded as a slut ("Blue" (Playoff)—not included in West End and future productions), and when J.D. attacks the jocks to defend her, they savagely beat him.

J.D. and Veronica comfort each other and plan a vengeful prank: she will lure the jocks to the cemetery with the promise of making their fictional threesome real, then together they will shoot them with tranquilizer "Ich lüge" bullets to knock them out before leaving another forged suicide note confessing they were gay lovers. When they arrive, J.D. shoots Ram but Veronica misses Kurt. As she realizes that Ram is dead and the bullets are real, J.D. then shoots Kurt dead and proclaims his undying love to a horrified Veronica ("Our Love Is God").

Act Two

At Ram and Kurt's funerals, a distraught Veronica reflects that they could have outgrown their immaturity ("Prom or Hell?"). Grief-stricken, Ram's Dad chastises Kurt's Dad for remaining homophobic, until the latter suddenly kisses the former, revealing their own secret love affair and Ram and Kurt are turned into martyrs to homophobia ("My Dead Gay Son"). Convinced the murders are for the greater good, J.D. urges Veronica to target Heather D. next. She refuses, so he complains about doing nothing in the face of injustice, revealing he witnessed his mother's own suicide as a young boy, straining his relationship with his father and causing their constant moving around. Veronica gives him an ultimatum: give up violence and live a normal life with her or lose her forever ("Seventeen"). J.D. agrees and they reconcile. Martha tells Veronica she suspects J.D. of murdering the jocks, believing Ram's "love note" to her is proof. Veronica, urged by Heather C.'s ghost, confesses that she was actually the one who wrote it. Martha is heartbroken and runs off in tears.

Guidance counselor (Teacher in the West End production) Ms. Fleming holds a televised therapy assembly ("Shine a Light"). She urges everyone to reveal their fears and insecurities, but only Heather M. admits to suicidal thoughts ("Lifeboat"). Heather D. mocks her and whips the students into a frenzy. Veronica lashes out and blurts out a confession—"They didn't kill themselves! I killed them!"—but everyone laughs mockingly, believing she is only desperate for attention. Shortly after, Heather M. tries to kill herself by overdosing in the bathroom, while Heather D. taunts her in her subconscious ("Shine a Light (Reprise)"), but Veronica stops her. J.D., carrying a gun, tries to persuade Veronica to kill Heather D. once more. Realizing how unstable he is, Veronica breaks up with him ("I Say No" in the West End version).

J.D. blackmails Heather D. into making the student body sign a petition. Martha, mourning Ram, tries to commit suicide as well by jumping off a bridge ("Kindergarten Boyfriend"), but survives. Veronica rushes to the hospital, taunted by the ghosts of Kurt, Ram, and Heather C., while her parents try to assure her that they have been through everything she is going through ("Yo Girl"). She returns home, where J.D. breaks in. As she barricades herself in her closet, he reveals the petition, signed by every student, is actually a mass suicide note—along with his plans to blow up the pep rally and make it look like a mass suicide, using his father's demolition expertise to devise the plan ("Meant to Be Yours"). He breaks open the closet to find Veronica dangling from a noose. Grief-stricken, J.D leaves to complete his plan.

Veronica, having faked her death, races to stop him ("Dead Girl Walking (Reprise)"). She confronts J.D in the boiler room, but in their struggle, he is shot. Unable to disarm the detonator, Veronica takes it to the empty football field, out of range to detonate the bombs. J.D. convinces her to let him take the detonator instead ("I Am Damaged"). It explodes, killing him alone.

Returning to school, Veronica takes Heather C.'s scrunchie away from Heather D. and kisses her on the cheek, ending the era of social ridicule. Veronica then invites Martha and Heather M. to hang out (depending on blocking, Heather D. is also included in some productions), rent a movie, and be kids before childhood is over ("Seventeen (Reprise)").

Musical numbers

Act I
  • "Beautiful" – Veronica, H. Chandler, H. McNamara, H. Duke, Kurt, Ram, Martha, Ms. Fleming and Company
  • "Candy Store" – H. Chandler, H. McNamara and H. Duke
  • "Fight for Me" – Veronica and Students
  • "Candy Store" (Playoff) † – H. Chandler, H. McNamara and H. Duke
  • "Freeze Your Brain" – J.D.
  • "Big Fun" – Ram, Kurt, Veronica, H. Chandler, H. McNamara, H. Duke, Martha, and Students
  • "Dead Girl Walking" – Veronica and J.D.
  • "Veronica's Chandler Nightmare" † – H. Chandler and Company
  • "The Me Inside of Me" – H. Chandler, Veronica, J.D., Ms. Fleming, Principal, Coach, Cops and Company
  • "Blue" (2010–2018) – Ram, Kurt, H. Duke and H. McNamara, Veronica
  • "You're Welcome" (2018–present West end ver.) †† – Ram, Kurt, Veronica,
  • "Blue (Reprise)" (2010–2018) † – Ram, Kurt, H. Duke, H. McNamara and Students
  • "Never Shut Up Again" (2018–present and West end ver.) †† – H. Duke, Ram, Kurt and Ensemble (Replaces "Blue" (Reprise) from the high school version)
  • "Our Love Is God" – J.D., Veronica, Ram, Kurt and Company
Act II
  • "Prom or Hell?" † – Veronica
  • "My Dead Gay Son" – Ram's Dad, Kurt's Dad and Mourners
  • "Seventeen" – Veronica and J.D.
  • "Shine a Light" – Ms. Fleming and Students
  • "Lifeboat" – H. McNamara
  • "Shine a Light" (Reprise) – H. Duke and Students
  • "I Say No" (2018–present) †† – Veronica and Ensemble
  • "Hey Yo, Westerberg" † – H. McNamara and Students
  • "Kindergarten Boyfriend" – Martha
  • "Yo Girl" – H. Duke, H. Chandler, Ram, Kurt, Veronica and Veronica's Mom
  • "Meant to Be Yours" – J.D. and Students
  • "Dead Girl Walking" (Reprise) – Veronica, J.D., Ms. Fleming, H. McNamara, and Students
  • "I Am Damaged" – J.D. and Veronica
  • "Seventeen" (Reprise) – Veronica, Martha, H. McNamara, H. Duke and Company

† Not featured on any of the cast recordings.
†† Songs added to the West End version and all future productions.

"You're Welcome" replaces "Blue", a song on the original cast recording. "You're Welcome" was originally written by O'Keefe and Murphy for the High School edition but was added to the official show beginning with the 2018 London production. O'Keefe and Murphy preferred "You're Welcome" as "Blue" had been perceived by audiences as “treating date rape as a laughing matter” and trivializing the issue by presenting it as comical, “boyish antics”. When asked to comment on the choice to replace the track, O'Keefe and Murphy stated that "'You're Welcome' doesn't shy away from showing that Veronica is in real danger from these two drunk football assholes."

A new song for Heather Duke, "Never Shut Up Again", was also added for the London run, replacing "Blue (Reprise)". For the 2017 workshop, there was a different song to replace "Blue (Reprise)", which became "Big Fun (Reprise)", part of which is now included in "Never Shut Up Again". In the last week at The Other Palace, the authors added a new song after "Shine a Light (Reprise)" called "I Say No", in which Veronica finally dumps J.D. when he proposes a return to murdering, telling him "You need help I can't provide" and walking out on him. The song remained in the show for the Haymarket run and was released on February 15, 2019, as the first single on the West End cast album.

Background

Andy Cohen and J. Todd Harris secured the rights from Daniel Waters (the screenwriter of the film) and immediately thought of Andy Fickman to direct. After seeing Laurence O'Keefe's work with Legally Blonde and how he transitioned film to theatre, he decided to pair him with Reefer Madness collaborator Kevin Murphy. Originally, lyricist Amy Powers was on the creative team, but she transitioned to joining producers Cohen and Harris. Fickman, Murphy and O'Keefe were also producers on the original productions in Los Angeles and New York. Fickman said of the experience, "we found that Heathers gave a great deal of opportunity for '80s commentary and a great chance for music and storytelling."

Development (2009–10)

Three private readings of the work in progress were held in Los Angeles in 2009, each starring Kristen Bell as Veronica. The first was in March at the Beverly Hills offices of Endeavor Agency (starring Christian Campbell as J.D.); the second in June at the Hudson Theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard (starring Scott Porter as J.D.); and the third in December at the Coast Theatre in West Hollywood, starring James Snyder as J.D. In each reading, Jenna Leigh Green, Corri English, and Christine Lakin played Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke, respectively.

On September 13–14, 2010, Heathers was presented as a concert at Joe's Pub. The show was directed by Andy Fickman, and it starred Annaleigh Ashford as Veronica Sawyer, Jeremy Jordan as Jason Dean, Jenna Leigh Green as Heather Chandler, Corri English as Heather McNamara, and Christine Lakin as Heather Duke, James Snyder as Kurt Kelly, PJ Griffith as Ram Sweeney, and Julie Garnyé as Martha "Dumptruck" Dunnstock.

Productions

Los Angeles (2013)

Heathers: The Musical played at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited engagement on the weekends from September 21, 2013, to October 6, 2013. The cast included Barrett Wilbert Weed as Veronica, Ryan McCartan as J.D., Sarah Halford as Heather Chandler, Kristolyn Lloyd as Heather Duke, and Elle McLemore as Heather McNamara. The production was music directed by Ryan Shore.

Off-Broadway (2014)

The musical next played off-Broadway, with previews beginning in March at New World Stages, directed by Andy Fickman. Coincidentally, New World is also the name of the original film's distributor. The cast included Barrett Wilbert Weed, Ryan McCartan, and Elle McLemore reprising their roles as Veronica, J.D., and Heather McNamara, respectively, with new additions being Jessica Keenan Wynn as Heather Chandler, Alice Lee as Heather Duke and Tony Award winner Anthony Crivello as Bill Sweeney/'Big Bud' Dean. The show began previews on March 15, 2014, and opened on March 31, 2014.

The original cast album was recorded on April 15–16, 2014, with an in-store and digital release of June 17, 2014. It was released a week early on June 10, 2014.

The production played its final performance on August 4, 2014. According to star Ryan McCartan, the original goal of the Heathers production team was to eventually create a film adaptation of the musical, with McCartan signing on to the L.A. and New York productions with the promise of reprising his role in the film. For numerous reasons, a film adaptation never emerged.

London/West End productions and UK tours (2018 to present)

A workshop of the musical at The Other Palace, London, held 5 presentations in the Studio from 30 May to 3 June 2017. The workshop featured Charlotte Wakefield as Veronica Sawyer and Jamie Muscato as J.D.

The show had its official London premiere in the Theatre at The Other Palace from June 9 to August 4, 2018, starring Carrie Hope Fletcher as Veronica Sawyer and Jamie Muscato as J.D. The production is produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, directed again by Andy Fickman and with choreographer/associate director Gary Lloyd. For the London production "Blue" has been changed to the new song "You're Welcome" and Heather Duke has received her own song "Never Shut Up Again" as well as a few script changes.

Heathers transferred to the West End at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, running from September 3, 2018, to November 24, 2018. A new song for Veronica, "I Say No", as well as a few script changes to Act 2 were added for the transfer. A West End cast recording was released on Ghostlight Records on March 1. The album debuted at No. 24 on the Official Albums Chart.

The production won the 2019 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical. Carrie Hope Fletcher also won for Best Actress in a Musical.

A UK & Ireland tour expected in 2020 was postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The musical returned to the West End with performances beginning on June 21, 2021, and ran at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until September 11, 2021. The cast included Jodie Steele reprising her role as Heather Chandler. The tour opened in Leeds on 5 August 2021 and finished in Edinburgh.

The production then opened at The Other Palace in London in November 2021, following Bill Kenwright Ltd's acquisition of the venue. After several extensions to the run, its final performance was on September 3, 2023, at The Other Palace. The revival was filmed in May 2022 at The Other Palace and was released on The Roku Channel in the US September 16, 2022. The cast featured Ailsa Davidson as Veronica, Simon Gordon as J.D., Maddison Firth as Heather Chandler, Vivian Panka as Heather Duke, Teleri Hughes as Heather McNamara, Vicki Lee Taylor as Ms. Fleming/Veronica's Mom, Mhairi Angus as Martha, Liam Doyle as Kurt, Rory Phelan as Ram, Oliver Brooks as Kurt's Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper, and Andy Brady as Ram's Dad/Principle Gowan/Veronica's Dad.

The show toured the UK & Ireland in 2023. It opened in Windsor on 14 February 2023 before finishing in Wimbledon on October 28, 2023.

The show returned to the West End from 22 May to 6 July 2024 at @sohoplace, before embarking on a UK tour starting at Theatre Royal Windsor on 24 July and ending at Cambridge Arts Theatre in November 2024.

New York City 2025

On September 1, 2024, producers Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills announced the production would return to New York City in 2025, with further details to be announced.

Australia

An Australian production of Heathers: The Musical at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney was staged in July–August 2015. Directed by Trevor Ashley, the cast included Stephen Madsen as J.D. and Lucy Maunder as Heather Chandler. The production transferred the following year, with mostly the same cast, for seasons in Brisbane (Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre) in January 2016, Melbourne (Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne) in May 2016, and the Sydney Opera House's Playhouse in June 2016.

Germany

There was a German production back in 2018 based on the off-Broadway version but including "I Say No"

Brazil

A Brazilian production was staged at the Viradalata Theatre in São Paulo in October–November 2019. The production expected to return in May–June 2020 but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Argentina

An Argentinian production opened at the Teatro Opera in Buenos Aires on July 1, 2023, and closed on July 30, 2023.

Poland

A Polish non-replica production based on the West End production opened on September 7, 2024 in Teatr Syrena in Warsaw, directed by Agnieszka Płoszajska.

Romania

A Romanian production with the title Iubirea Noastră i Raiul (Our Love is God) was staged at the acting school Victory of Art in Bucharest, with the roles being played by the school's senior company (students aged 14 to 18). It has been running since June 9, 2024 in Sala Gloria, directed by Theodor Andrei, the Romanian representative of Eurovision Song Contest 2023 who was eventually promoted to the role of J.D. in the most recent performance on December 19, 2024.

Cast List

Character Joe's Pub Los Angeles Off-Broadway Australia Off-West End West End Germany West End Revival UK Tour Off-West End Revival 2022 Proshot UK & Ireland Tour West End Revival UK Tour Poland
2010 2013 2014 2016 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
Veronica Sawyer Annaleigh Ashford Barrett Wilbert Weed Hilary Cole Carrie Hope Fletcher Michelle Hoffmann Christina Bennington Rebecca Wickes Ailsa Davidson Jenna Innes Natalia Kujawa
Jason "J.D." Dean Jeremy Jordan Ryan McCartan Stephen Madsen Jamie Muscato Kevin Kolodziej Jordan Luke Gage Simon Gordon Freddie King Simon Gordon Jacob Fowler Keelan McAuley Maciej M. Tomaszewski
Heather Chandler Jenna Leigh Green Sarah Halford Jessica Keenan Wynn Lucy Maunder Jodie Steele Franziska Wiethan Jodie Steele Maddison Firth Emma Kingston Maddison Firth Verity Thompson Esme Bowdler Aleksandra Gotowicka
Heather McNamara Corri English Elle McLemore Hannah Fredericksen Sophie Isaacs Irina Deuble Frances Mayli McCann Lizzy Parker Teleri Hughes Billie Bowman Daisy Twells Karolina Gwóźdź
Heather Duke Christine Lakin Kristolyn Lloyd Alice Lee Rebecca Hetherington T'Shan Williams Nina Knoll Bobbie Little Merryl Ansah Inez Budd Vivian Panka Elise Zavou Sedona Sky Joanna Gorzała
Martha Dunnstock Julie Garnyé Katie Ladner Erin Clare Jenny O’Leary Julia Spang Madison Swan Mhairi Angus Lizzie Bea Mhairi Angus Kingsley Morton Amy Miles Marta Burdynowicz
Ram Sweeney PJ Griffith Jon Eidson Vincent Hooper Dominic Andersen Matthias Busch Joaquin Pedro Valdes Rory Phelan Tom Scanlon Rory Phelan Morgan Jackson Jason Battersby Jędrzej Czerwonogrodzki
Kurt Kelly James Snyder Evan Todd Jakob Ambrose Chris Chung Sven Edthofer Ross Harmon Liam Doyle George Maddison Liam Doyle Alex Woodward Iván Fernández González Karol Ledwosiński
Bill Sweeney* / Big Bud Dean / Coach Ripper Eric Leviton Rex Smith Anthony Crivello Vincent Hooper Edward Baruwa Nathan Amzi Matthias Busch Simon Bailey Kurt Kansley Kieran Brown Oliver Brooks Conor McFarlane Michał Konarski
Paul Kelly* / Mr. Sawyer / Principal Gowan Kevin Pariseau Zachary Ford Daniel Cooney Jakob Ambrose Jon Boydon Sven Edthofer Steven Serlin Andy Brady Sam Ferriday Andy Brady Jay Bryce Alexander Service Albert Osik
Mrs. Sawyer / Pauline Fleming Jill Abramovitz Rena Strober Michelle Duffy Michelle Barrr Rebecca Lock Christine Milo Lauren Ward Georgina Hagen Vicki Lee Taylor Katie Paine Lucy Sinclair Agnieszka Rose

*Can be interchangeable between playing Paul Kelly and Bill Sweeney

Critical reception

Off-Broadway

Heathers: The Musical's 2014 Off-Broadway production was generally received well by critics and audiences alike. The musical was praised for staying true to the film while still having its own original additions to the storyline. The score and choreography of the musical were also given praise.

The musical, however, was criticized for the length and its characters not living up to the cast of the original movie. It has also been criticized for taking the dark themes of the source material and sanitizing them with bubbly music and cartoon-like characters.

Marilyn Stasio, writing for Variety, wrote, "easoned industry pros could pick up a few tips on the Do's and Don'ts of adapting material from this smartly executed musical treatment of 'Heathers.'" She praised the lyrics but was not a fan of the music, writing: "Even at their giddiest, the lyrics never dumb down the characters singing them. Wish we could say the same for the music, which is brassy and blah and sounds nothing like the music that made the 80s."

The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney stated: "Does the acidic comedy gain anything from being turned into a cartoonish pop musical? Hell, no. But as an extension of the movie's wicked pleasures, this version has its silly charms, as demonstrated by the rowdy response of the predominantly young audience. It's not exactly very — to borrow from Heather-speak — but for insatiable fans it might almost be enough, and the tacky high school-style staging seems somehow appropriate."

The musical got two out of five stars from The Guardian's Alexis Soloski, who wrote: "The off-Broadway adaptation of the 1988 Winona Ryder/Christian Slater teen movie is sunny and snarky, but the dark subject matter calls for something more wicked." Elisabeth Vincentelli of the New York Post gave it four out of five stars, writing "The first act moves briskly as director Andy Fickman and his cast wring every last comic drop out of the script and songs... The production nearly derails in Act II, having killed off its antagonists. The film had the same problem, but here the sweetened worldview saps the grand finale of its effectiveness. Still, seeing “Heathers” onstage is a joy."

Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly was harsher, giving the musical a C− rating: "Heathers: The Musical misses just about everything that made the film great, making it not only a colossally disappointing adaptation of a beloved property but also a generally unpleasant theater experience."

West End

The London production received mixed reception and was flagged by some critics because they felt complex issues such as homosexuality, bulimia and suicide were made light of for comedic effect, making parts of the show feel "dated and uncomfortable for a 2018 audience."

Awards and nominations

Original Off-Broadway production

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2014 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Barrett Wilbert Weed Nominated
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical Nominated
Outstanding Choreographer Marguerite Derricks Nominated

Original West End production

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2019 WhatsOnStage Awards Best New Musical Won
Best Actor in a Musical Jamie Muscato Nominated
Best Actress in a Musical Carrie Hope Fletcher Won
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Jodie Steele Nominated
Best Direction Andy Fickman Nominated
Best Lighting Design Ben Cracknell Nominated

Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition)

Following its 2014 Off-Broadway run, the musical gained a cult following, and high schools requested licensing rights; accordingly, an abridged "PG-13" version was prepared, revised by writers Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, iTheatrics, and licensing company Samuel French for student productions. Most of the profanity in the show was deleted, "Big Fun", "Dead Girl Walking", and the majority of the songs received rewritten lyrics and one new song, "You're Welcome" was written for the show to replace "Blue". O'Keefe and Murphy have stated that they prefer "You're Welcome" to "Blue", and the change was officially made for the London production of Heathers in June 2018 and all further licensed productions.

The first performance of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) took place on September 15, 2016, at Pearce Theatre, J.J. Pearce High School, Richardson, Texas. A Brazilian version, "Heathers – A Teen Musical" was set to open in 2020 at the Stunt Burger, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic it made some changes.

In popular culture

In 2019, a high school production of the musical is the focus of the "Chapter Fifty-One: Big Fun" episode of Riverdale. The Riverdale cast album of the musical was produced via WaterTower Music. The lyrics from the songs in the episode are from the High School Edition of the musical with most of the profanity deleted.

References

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