Hot Blooded? "Be More Chill".

Two weeks ago tomorrow, a new musical premiered on the Broadway stage.  Based on a novel by Ned Vizzini, it involves a young man in high school trying to become more popular and get closer to his crush.  He achieves this by ingesting a computer in a pill that helps him accomplish his goal at the cost of alienating his best friend.

Have you guessed that today's musical of discussion is "Be More Chill"?  If so, you deserve a hearty congratulations.  With music by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz, "Be More Chill" premiered at the Two River Theater in New Jersey before having an Off-Broadway run at the Pershing Square Signature Center.  

How Be More Chill Exploded Into An Internet Sensation And Landed On Broadway

Thanks to tremendous support from social media, the musical received a Broadway run at the Lyceum Theater on Feb. 13.

"Be More Chill" involves Jeremy Heere, a junior in high school who wants to accomplish more than just survival.  He wants to step out of his outcast role and attract his crush Christine Canigula.  To his delight, the school bully Rich Goranski tells him about a supercomputer in a pill known as the Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor (or SQUIP, for short) that can help him become popular.

The two later purchase the pill from a stock boy at the shoe store Payless (which, at the time of writing, is closing all of its American stores) and activate it.  At this point, the SQUIP appears and helps Jeremy be more chill, though this proves to be disastrous.

Today's post will not be a review of the Broadway production.  This is because I cannot afford tickets to the Broadway show (even though they run from $49).  Instead, I will review Sinclair Community College's production, which ran last October.

Directed by Chris Harmon, Sinclair's production of "Be More Chill" starred Anthony Dell'Aria as Jeremy, Katelynn Pennington as Christine, Micah Koverman as Michael Mell, Jeremy's best friend, and Jared Setser as the SQUIP.  I saw the show on Oct. 7, and I really enjoyed it.

"Be More Chill" has an interesting blend of humor, blending pop culture references with social commentary for often comedic effect.  I would personally say it works really well, though I wish that the character of Christine was more fleshed out.  Pennington played her with plenty of energy and consistent comedic timing, and she was one of the most entertaining parts of the show.

"Be More Chill" Review - Most Metro

However, the standout performance of this production was Jared Setser as the SQUIP.  His version of the pill-brought-to-life was supposed to be very similar to Nick Jonas, though the user could pick from options such as Morgan Freeman and a generic anime girl (which made Setser's introductory scene hilarious); I personally believe that he nailed it and brought plenty of life to the role.

Iconis brings a variety of songs to the show, from the distressing "The Pitiful Children" to Michael and Jeremy's teamwork song "Two Player Game", and the cast performs each tune with flair and Rodney Veal's well-flowing choreography.  

In terms of a favorite song from the production, I would have to go with Micah Koverman's heart-wrenching rendition of "Michael In The Bathroom".  

Koverman perfectly conveys the fear of losing his best friend as he is drowning in the noise of a house party.  The clash of tones in the scene fits perfectly, and I believe that the varying tone is an aspect that "Be More Chill" juggles with ease.  Finally, the production and costume design is well done, blending the technological, high school, and pop culture aspects together to create an intriguing version of our modern world.

Have you seen "Be More Chill" either at Sinclair or on Broadway?  What were your thoughts on the production?  Did it hold up to your expectations?  If you have answers to these questions, or any other comments, feel free to leave a comment down below!  

My Obligatory Queen Appreciation Post: "We Will Rock You"

Many followers of the band Queen, including myself, were ecstatic when the "Bohemian Rhapsody" teaser trailer was first uploaded online.  Some of them, however, were less excited when the actual movie dropped on Nov. 2 of last year.  Fans criticized the film for historical inaccuracies ranging from minor flaws to major distortions.  

There's a reason that the film's story can be criticized like this; "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a biopic based on the life of Freddie Mercury and his band Queen.  The story it presents is distorted fiction that is based on nonfiction.

Sixteen years ago, Queen fans were given a special treat that cannot be criticized for historical accuracy: the jukebox musical "We Will Rock You".  Written by Ben Elton, the show packs 27 Queen songs into two acts and an encore performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" (the song, not the movie).  

I have been a fan of the band Queen as long as I can remember and I adore jukebox musicals.  While I've covered musicals based on movies here and there, I will (attempt to) provide today a short explanation of a musical based on a band that also got a movie.

THE SETTING

"We Will Rock You" is set in a dystopian Earth three hundred years in the future.  The planet of Earth has been renamed the iPlanet and is under control by a corporation known has GlobalSoft.  The planet is populated by Ga Ga Kids who are all very similar, viewing the same films, wearing the same attire, and believing the same things.

GlobalSoft might end up existing if Apple takes over the world, but that's probably not going to happen.  However, I can see a future where we all converge into a very similar window of ideals.  This is not what I would encourage of our society, because variety is part of what makes us human.  It's almost like these Ga Ga Kids have lost their humanity.

THE CHARACTERS

The show's protagonist is a young man named Galileo Figaro, a rebel against the iPlanet's cloud of mainstream conformity.  He hears strange words in his head and seeks to free the planet's inhabitants from their tyrannical ruler.

Scaramouche, the female lead, is Galileo's love interest and a fellow rebel.  Ridiculed by those around her, she also wants to break free from the queen's control.

The tyrannical Killer Queen (named after the song of the same name) is the musical's main antagonist and the leader of GlobalSoft and iPlanet.  Being the main antagonist, she wishes to crush the relentless Bohemians that form alongside Galileo and Scaramouche.

Finally, Commander Khashoggi is the right-hand man for Killer Queen.

THE PLOT

Galileo, a young dreamer, wishes to break free from the conformity of his home world but gets captured by the head of police.  His classmate Scaramouche is another rebel who gets arrested with Galileo after being ridiculed.  

Elsewhere on the planet, the tyrant Killer Queen commands her right-hand man Khashoggi to figure out a prophecy that mentions instruments placed somewhere in the world.

The two protagonists find themselves in a hospital and flee, figuring that society is afraid of them because of their beliefs, while Killer Queen and Khashoggi determine that they have defeated the rebellious Bohemians.  

Galileo and Scaramouche meet the couple Britney and Meat, and Britney believes that a dreamer will make the prophecy come true.  Brit and Meat accuse the duo of espionage before realizing that Galileo is the dreamer.  All end up retreating to the Heartbreak Hotel, but they are soon killed/imprisoned once Khashoggi and his men arrive.

Turns out, our protagonists are still alive and in love with each other.  How lovely!  Galileo later tells her they must journey to the Seven Seas Of Rhye to find the survivors, who were tortured by Khashoggi.

After Killer Queen's premature celebration (with an impressive rendition of "Don't Stop Me Now"), Khashoggi interrupts her with the news that Galileo and Scaramouche are still alive.  Let me just say that the aftermath is quite unpleasant for him.

At the Seven Seas Of Rhye (which is a pub), the bartender explains more details of the prophecy to our heroes as the Bohemians lifelessly take in drinks.  They travel to Wembley Stadium on a motorcycle and Scaramouche plays "We Will Rock You" on an electric guitar to the entire planet, saving everyone.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The musical will soon kick off a tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland, running from Sep. 2019 until May 2020 in theaters all around the region.  Tickets are on sale here.

I mentioned in my "School Of Rock" post that I don't have the money to travel to England to catch a show, and that's still true.  However, there is a high school version of the show which has completed two productions.  It ran in Australia.  

Hopefully, North American tours of the show can return shortly, because only professional productions have licensing rights here.  In the meantime, Queen fans and the general public can watch "Bohemian Rhapsody" and/or listen to fifteen albums worth of music.  

Have you seen a production of "We Will Rock You"?  Does my guide do it justice?  Do you appreciate the "Bohemian Rhapsody" film or absolutely despise it?  Feel free to leave a comment below!

The Cluster Of Madness That Is "Heathers: The Musical"

Let me start today's post by writing these four simple words.

I.  Love.  Rock. Musicals.

The energy of each song, whether it's from a popular production like "School Of Rock" or lesser-known properties like "We Will Rock You", always manages to jazz me up when I need it the most.  Rock musicals are like a drug I'm addicted to and can't escape.

Speaking of drugs, rock and roll, and not escaping, today's show of interest is "Heathers: The Musical".  Based on the 1989 film of the same name, "Heathers: The Musical" is a show that I haven't seen a production of.  I will gladly admit that. However, I have been listening to the soundtrack on repeat for the past few months and it's a dark and crazy but killer production that I would definitely recommend.

The source material, directed by Michael Lehmann, stars Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer, a high school girl wanting to fit in with her peers.  She desires to become a member of a group of popular girls known as the Heathers, three girls who wear color-coordinating outfits and all have the name Heather.  At the same time, she falls in love with bad boy Jason Dean (Christian Slater), who harbors a dark past and an even darker future.

Jason (or JD) is a bit of a psychopath (actually, a bit is an understatement).  He doesn't trust society, despises popular people, and wishes to kill those he doesn't like.  One by one, his victims fall to their demise in deaths that are made to look like suicides, and he ends up having a grand plan to blow up the entire school during a pep rally.

Yeah, this movie is really quite dark.

The writers of the musical, Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy, have done a really nice job incorporating the teen angst and dark comedy from the original film.  All in all, the musical version of "Heathers" stays remarkably true to the source material.

REVIEW: "Heathers: The Musical" at Dominion Stage

Another plus side to "Heathers" is the cast.  Actress Barrett Wilber Weed was cast as Veronica and Ryan McCartan took on the role of JD.  Both do a remarkable job with their roles and can truly sing their hearts out. An example of this is their combined vocals on "Dead Girl Walking".  

A different song that showcases the musical's heart is "Meant To Be Yours", another tune sung by Veronica and JD.

The first time I listened to "Meant To Be Yours" was the moment I realized how messed up this musical is.

Here's a lyric from that song:

"Then it hit me like a flash/What if high school went away instead/Those assholes are the key/They're keeping you away from me/They've made you blind, messed up your mind/But I can set you free!"

In conclusion, this musical is incredibly screwed up.

However, that seems to be the point of the whole show: to adapt the source material and make it new.  I believe that the cast and crew have stayed true to that creed and made a wonderful piece of entertainment.

Honey, whatcha waiting for?  Welcome to their candy store.

RELATED: "Riverdale" Will Take On "Heathers: The Musical"

Do you have an opinion on the musical or movie versions of "Heathers?  Does the musical live up to the hype? Is it better than the film?  Can you tell that I enjoy movie musicals? If so, then feel free to comment down below!

"School Of Rock": Why You Should Go See It

When the name "School Of Rock" is mentioned, the mind of most individuals shifts to the 2003 movie starring Jack Black and Joan Cusack.  Teenagers might end up thinking about the 2015 television series on Nickelodeon.  However, when the theater community hears that name, their brains switch to thoughts of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 2015 rock musical that recently closed on Broadway. 

Tonight, we say farewell to @SoRmusical, but never goodbye.

Thanks for everything. Thanks to everyone. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

See you all tonight for one last trip to Mount Rock.#SchoolOfRockBway #ClosingNight

— Alex Brightman (@ABrightMonster) January 20, 2019

Since the Broadway run is over, the average American musical theater enthusiast can't see the show at that level of production value.  Sure, they could fly to London to catch the show at the Gillian Lynn Theatre, but avid theatergoers would wish to stay in the country and see local productions for cheap.

Buy Tickets For "School Of Rock" In London!

I would definitely recommend going that route.  Currently, I have seen the "School Of Rock" musical twice, once at my high school and another time at the Schuster Center in Dayton, OH, and I am a huge fan of the show.

Valley View's Dewey Finn, Dan Noelker, and I following the show.

Dewey Finn from the Schuster Center production, Merritt David Janes, and I after a fantastic production!

"School Of Rock" is an electrifying, incredible show that is a blast to watch from start to finish.  Listed below are three reasons why I would highly recommend checking it out. 

1. THE MUSIC

From the opening guitar riffs of "I'm Too Hot For You" to the encore performance of "Stick It To The Man", every song on the "School Of Rock" soundtrack will have you tapping your feet to the beat.

Craig Wedren is the composer for the musical's various tunes, and he has done a marvelous job.  Softer pieces such as "Here At Horace Green" and "If Only You Would Listen" pepper the soundtrack and help to balance the "school" and "rock" portions of "School Of Rock".  

In terms of a personal favorite song from the musical, my recommendation is "Stick It To The Man".  The lyrics scream of rebellion and wanting to rock out instead of being kept in the cage of society, and the whole song is a thrashing good time.

2. THE SOURCE MATERIAL

As mentioned earlier in this post, the "School Of Rock" musical is based off of the 2003 film of the same name.  The movie was directed by Richard Linklater and stars Jack Black, Joan Cusack, and Sarah Silverman.

In the film, Black portrays Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck rock star who impersonates his friend/roommate Ned Schneebly (portrayed by the film's writer, Mike White) and teaches at an elementary school in order to pay rent.

After Dewey discovers the kids are talented musicians, he convinces them to form a band with him and compete in the local Battle Of The Bands against Dewey's former band, No Vacancy.

With smart and witty dialogue from White himself, great performances all around, and a fantastic soundtrack, the film has become a cult classic.  Not surprisingly, it's also one of my favorite films of all time.

3. THE WRITING

The musical faithfully recreates most of the film, adding in details such as the beat-for-beat final song "Teacher's Pet" and Principal Rosalie Mullins (Cusack's character in the film) belting out Stevie Nicks' "Edge Of Seventeen" at a local dive bar.  However, Webber, the musical's lyricist, is not afraid to add in new material to help strengthen the characters' motivations, and that is admirable.

Dewey is a rock aficionado who isn't afraid to drop a pop culture, especially one dealing with rock music, to his class of fourth graders.  

For example, one pivotal scene early on shows Dewey explaining the concept of "the man" to the children, saying that "the man" was behind concepts such as global warming, racism, and fidget spinners and figures including the Kardashians and the "Star Wars" character Jar Jar Binks.  

Dewey is an unlikeable protagonist in the musical, but a combination of Webber's creative writing and the various lead performances cement him as a character to root for.  Though his methods are unconventional, the motivations behind Dewey's character are understandable and justify his actions.

FINAL THOUGHTS

"School Of Rock" is, in my opinion, an excellent musical full of wonderful performances, often brilliant sets, and an incredible soundtrack.  The best part of the show is that it is a showcase for the talented child actors, as they often all play their own instruments.  Combined with the orchestra, the musicians help make this rocking show even more impressive.

What are your thoughts on the "School Of Rock" musical?  Does it live up to how you view the movie?  Feel free to leave a comment below!