NTPA Repertory Theatre presents HEATHERS
HEATHERS
Book, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy
Based on the film written by Daniel Waters
Director: Ryan Matthieu Smith
Music Director: Billy Veer
Choreographer: DeeDee Munson
Artistic Director: Daniel Dean Miranda
Costume Design: Ryan Matthieu Smith
Stage Manager: Ruby Pullum
Lighting Design: Sharae Pullum
Set Design: Jo Alamares
Props: Ruby Pullum
My thoughts on Heathers or…take me to the candy store now!
Heathers the Musical
Directed by Ryan Matthieu Smith
What a pleasure it is to walk into a musical knowing nothing about it and be blown away from the first number to the last. Director and costumer Ryan Matthieu Smith, Music Director Billy Veer, and Choreographer DeeDee Munson and a cast of stellar performers have made Heathers the Musical into an amazing experience with one thrilling moment after another. It is a “candy store” filled with treats both sweet and bitter.
Let’s get this straight. This is a dark, dark, dark musical based on the dark, dark, dark movie of the same name. Hmmm, a musical that includes murder, suicide, bullying, revenge, drugs, teen sex, and a school bombing. This is entertainment? Yes, yes, yes.
There are three girls named Heather who rule the school. They are sort of the Pink Ladies meet the Mean Girls. They welcome us to the “Candy Store” in a very sexy, provocative number early on that rocks the house. Heather Chandler played by the absolutely remarkable, phenomenally talented Leslie Navarro is the clear leader of the Heathers. She is joined by Heather Duke played by Jordan Gibson who has mastered the steely glance of death, is a strong singer, and looks like she stepped right out of a movie and Heather McNamara played by Lindsey Kay Smith. McNamara is probably the nicest of the Heathers. Smith has a very appealing vulnerability and has a touching solo “Lifeboat” late in the show.
Veronica Sawyer is the new girl in school and longs to be as popular as the Heathers. One thing is for sure here. If the composer/lyricist/writer of this musical could see Pamela Anglero in the part of Veronica Sawyer, he would immediately change the name to Veronica Sawyer: A Heathers Musical. Anglero gives the star turn of star turns here, carrying the show with her exceptional stage presence, emotive acting and rafter raising voice. This performance will go down in NTPA history.
Austin Hines as J.D. the “loser” guy who attracts Veronica is also a fierce force on stage with his incredible voice and the naturalistic acting that makes it look like his whole performance is spontaneous. I have never had the pleasure of seeing Hines perform before, but he is obviously a pro. Watching his transition from loving boyfriend to murderer is one of the creepy pleasures of Heathers.
Gabe Drennon and Dayan Rodriguez as Kurt Kelly and Ram Sweeny are the horny jocks of Westerberg High. They are basically sex obsessed clowns and great fun to watch. They turn comic relief into art, especially when they become ghosts forever condemned to spend the afterlife in their tighty redies.
Elora McLeod is both touching and funny as the bullied student Martha Dunstock. McLeod brings some true pathos to the role and her lament “Kindergarten Boyfriend” shows off her fine singing voice.
Conor Clark, who I admired so much in NTPA’s RENT, shows his versatility once again in three different roles, making each one distinct. And he gets to show off his singing skills bringing his all to my “My Dead Gay Son” with some outstanding support from Taylor Veer, who also manages to perform three different roles.
Bonnie Grugle plays Veronica’s mom and really shines as the flower child teacher Ms. Fleming, organizing rallies and getting involved in the lives of her students. Grugle captures the spirit of the sixties and Ms. Fleming does her best to bring some peace and love to her 1989 students.
One of the major reasons Heathers succeeds is the terrific, tight ensemble. The ensemble includes Lilee Gifford, Brooke Matthews, Avery Baker, Kae Styron, Elliot Koch, Raymond Govender, Noelle Saul, Kristin Conrad, and Spencer Bovaird.
The effort Director Smiith, Choreographer Munson, and Music Director Veer put into this production is apparent in every scene. The singing, the dancing, the acting, and the costumes are all first rate. Heathers is a black, biting, satirical comedy that explores the underside of high school life but does so with a great score and clever lyrics. You may not admire the actions of the Heathers, but you’re gonna love Veronica and this exciting show.
