Heathers: The Musical
A dark comedy set at Westerberg High School where cliques rule. Veronica Sawyer is a reluctant member of the popular girl clique, the Heathers. With the help of newcomer J.D., Veronica sets to turn popularity on its head. Murder and mayhem ensue. Filmed live at The Other Palace in 2022.
Where to watch
US & Canada:
The Roku Channel (free)
UK:
Select cinemas between March 28 - May 6, 2023.
Digitally and on DVD and Blu-Ray from Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment from June 5, 2023.
The Roku Channel (free)
UK:
Select cinemas between March 28 - May 6, 2023.
Digitally and on DVD and Blu-Ray from Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment from June 5, 2023.
theatrical history
Theatrical History
(This page contains affiliate links and as an associate Filmed Live Musicals may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
Heathers: The Musical is based on the 1989 film Heathers by Daniel Waters.
Screenwriter Daniel Waters was inspired to write the film Heathers after seeing a need for “a darker, more epic, cynical, satirical approach” to teen movies. Directed by Michael Lehmann, the film premiered in the US on March 31, 1989 featuring Winona Ryder (Veronica), Shannen Doherty (Heather Duke), Kim Walker (Heather Chandler), Lisanne Falk (Heather McNamara), and Christian Slater (J.D.).
Early reviewers were critical of Heathers “glib” approach to suicide, but Lehmann defended the film stating in the LA Times, “I believe we treat the moral issues responsibly. Teenagers don’t have any problem with it; it’s always adults who are shocked.” Despite being a flop at the box office, the film went on to become a cult classic.
The original Heathers film is available to stream via Amazon.
Director Andy Fickman and writer/composer Kevin Murphy had just released the film version of cult musical Reefer Madness in 2005 when they were approached to create a musical version of Heathers. Laurence O’Keefe, composer of the off-Broadway smash hit Bay Boy and Broadway’s Legally Blonde (filmed live by MTV during its Broadway run) was also bought on to the team.
Following developmental readings in Los Angeles, and a concert version performed at Joe’s Pub in NYC in 2010, Heathers: The Musical premiered at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles on September 21, 2013 for a limited engagement run. The entire two-week run was sold out before it had even opened.
Directed by Andy Fickman, the cast included Barrett Wilbert Weed (Veronica), Ryan McCartan (J.D.), Sarah Halford (Heather Chandler), Kristolyn Lloyd (Heather Duke), Elle McLemore (Heather McNamara), with Katie Ladner, Jon Eidson, Evan Todd, Rena Strober, Rex Smith, Zachary Ford, AJ Meijer, Zach Bandler, Cait Fairbanks, Charissa Hogeland, Trevor Shor and Rachel Flynn.
On March 31, 2014, the 25th anniversary of the original film’s premier, Heathers: The Musical opened off-Broadway at New World Stages.
The production was again directed by Andy Fickman, set design by Timothy R. Mackabee, lighting design by Jason Lyons, costume design by Amy Clark, sound design by Jonny Messena, fight choreography by Rick Sordelet and Christian Kelly-Sordelet, musical direction by Dominick Amendum, and choreography by Marguerite Derricks.
Most of the LA cast reprised their roles, with Jessica Keenan Wynn (Heather Chandler), Alice Lee (Heather Duke),Anthony Crivello (Kurt’s father), Daniel Cooney (Ram’s father), Dustin Sullivan, Dan Domenech, and Michelle Duffy joining the cast.
Overall, reviewers were not impressed by the musical. They felt the musical lacked the bite and social critique of the original movie, and also felt Fickman’s direction missed the mark. Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Soloski stated the musical “replac[ed] black comedy with candy-colored camp,” and concluded “…this iteration? As Veronica remarks: “It’s whatever.””
In a review for Entertainment Weekly, Kyle Anderson similarly lamented that 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.” Although Anderson disliked the production overall, he praised Barrett Wilbert Weed for her portrayal of Veronica.
While The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney and The New York Times’ Ben Brantley also felt the show missed the mark, they noted the musical’s appeal to a young audience. Rooney concluded the musical “at least salutes a late-‘80s pop-cultural touchstone with the affection it deserves.”
In a rare glowing review, Variety’s Marilyn Stasio extolled “The witty Off Broadway show… plays strong to a multi-generational aud [sic]… Someone of the current generation should shake a leg and transfer this winner to Broadway.”
The off-Broadway run of Heathers was nominated for multiple awards. Barrett Wilbert Weed was nominated for Outstanding Actress at both the Drama Desk Awards and the Lucille Lortel Awards. Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Music, Marguerite Derricks was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography, and the production was nominated for an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical.
After 17 previews and 145 regular performances, Heathers: The Musical closed off-Broadway on August 4, 2014.
In 2018, independent production company Rabbit Soda Productions created a short film based on the musical. Directed by Charlotte Sofia Briones, the short is available to view for free online.
In late March 2018, a concert presentation of Heathers: The Musical took place at Feinstein’s/54 Below featuring Ingrid Michaelso, Will Chase, drag group Stephanie’s Child, Megan Amram, and Evan Todd.
After a London workshop presentation of the musical which incorporated new songs, Heathers premiered off-West End for a limited run at The Other Palace on June 9, 2018. The run sold out, reportedly breaking box office records at the venue.
After closing at The Other Palace on August 4, 2018, Heathers transferred to the West End where it opened at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on September 3, 2018. Once again the musical was directed by Andy Fickman, with set and costume design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samon, and choreography by Gary Lloyd.
The cast featured Carrie Hope Fletcher (Veronica), Jamie Muscato (J.D.), Jodie Steele (Heather Chandler), T’Shan Williams (Heather Duke), Sophie Isaacs (Heather McNamara), Rebecca Lock (Ms Fleming), Jenny O’Leary (Martha Dunnstock), Christopher Chung (Kurt Kelly), Dominic Andersen (Ram Sweeney), Edward Baruwa (Ram’s Dad), Jon Boydon (Kurt’s Dad), Lauren Drew, Charlotte Jaconelli, Alex James Hatton, Olivia Moore, and Sergio Pasquariello.
As with the off-Broadway production, the West End transfer received mixed reviews. While critics universally praised the performances of the cast, they had divided feelings over the score, and the effectiveness of the show overall.
Hadley Freeman, writing for The Guardian, praised Carrie Hope Fletcher’s “energetic sweetness” in her portrayal of Veronica and Jodie Steele’s “close to stealing the show” performance as Heather Chandler. The Stage’s Tim Bano also extolled the performances of the cast, and noted that “Andy Fickman’s direction and Gary Lloyd’s choreography excel when it comes to the three Heathers.”
While Freeman found the score to be “generic,” Bano described it as “thrilling… full of bopping pop songs and moody ballads.”
On the success of the show overall, Freeman felt that the bite had been taken out of the original source material, while Ann Treneman in The Times disdainfully claimed “It’s a cult, basically.” Conversely, Tim Bano stated “It turns out Heathers is a masterful deconstruction of hypocrisy and a hymn to acceptance and tolerance.”
The West End production of Heathers won two WhatsOnStage awards including Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical (Carrie Hope Fletcher).
Heathers closed in the West End on November 24, 2018.
On June 21, 2021, Heathers: The Musical returned to the West End, once again opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
A UK tour was launched a month later in Leeds in July 2021.
Heathers transferred back to The Other Palace in November 2021, where it was filmed live (see Filmed Production Notes below).
The film of Heathers has also been adapted into a television series. The series, pitched as a modern retelling of the movie, was first slated to be developed by Bravo, and after a brief stay at TV Land was picked up by the newly rebranded Paramount Network in 2017. The March 2018 premier was delayed due to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The new premier in October 2018 was also curtailed by another mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As noted by Screen Rant writer Kayleigh Donaldson, “In 2018, that kind of violent fantasy [represented by the original film] isn’t a harmless pipe-dream: It’s a fear that millions of American kids live with every day that could easily become a reality… The morbid truth of the matter is that if the Paramount Network had to shelve or postpone every episode of Heathers whenever there was a mass shooting, the season would never fully air.”
Songs from the musical were included in an episode of the high school based series Riverdale in 2019.
On September 1, 2022 the production hosted a Big Fan Day which included choreography and vocal workshops with the cast, a “make your own scrunchie workshop” Q&A’s with cast members and actors from the original film, and cosplay.
Heathers: The Musical is available for licensing via Concord Theatricals. The materials are based on the 2019 West End production.
A teen edition, which leaves out the profanity, and drug and sexual references, is also available. As writer O’Keefe noted in Playbill upon the release of the teen edition in 2016, “By removing all the hot-button [material]…what was left was adolescents trying to be cruel to each other or trying to be kind to each other, trying to hurt each other or trying to save each other, and an amazing thing happened… it removed one extra layer of veil or insulation between the performers and the actual truth of the show, which made for a more intense, moving, awesome, funny and scary experience than we thought.”
There are currently two cast albums for the show - the World Premier Cast Recording and the Original West End Cast Recording.
As noted by Leah Putnam in Playbill, Heathers: The Musical has gained its own cult following thanks to the popularity of the original cast album, and licensing, which has allowed for a high number of regional and school productions.
Initial announcements had shared Heathers at The Other Palace would run until February 2022, however the closing date continues to be extended. As of January 2023, the musical is scheduled to run until September 3, 2023. Throughout 2023, Heathers: The Musical will host sing-along performances at The Other Palace with audience members encouraged to dress up in 80s inspired outfits.
(This page contains affiliate links and as an associate Filmed Live Musicals may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
Heathers: The Musical is based on the 1989 film Heathers by Daniel Waters.
Screenwriter Daniel Waters was inspired to write the film Heathers after seeing a need for “a darker, more epic, cynical, satirical approach” to teen movies. Directed by Michael Lehmann, the film premiered in the US on March 31, 1989 featuring Winona Ryder (Veronica), Shannen Doherty (Heather Duke), Kim Walker (Heather Chandler), Lisanne Falk (Heather McNamara), and Christian Slater (J.D.).
Early reviewers were critical of Heathers “glib” approach to suicide, but Lehmann defended the film stating in the LA Times, “I believe we treat the moral issues responsibly. Teenagers don’t have any problem with it; it’s always adults who are shocked.” Despite being a flop at the box office, the film went on to become a cult classic.
The original Heathers film is available to stream via Amazon.
Director Andy Fickman and writer/composer Kevin Murphy had just released the film version of cult musical Reefer Madness in 2005 when they were approached to create a musical version of Heathers. Laurence O’Keefe, composer of the off-Broadway smash hit Bay Boy and Broadway’s Legally Blonde (filmed live by MTV during its Broadway run) was also bought on to the team.
Following developmental readings in Los Angeles, and a concert version performed at Joe’s Pub in NYC in 2010, Heathers: The Musical premiered at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles on September 21, 2013 for a limited engagement run. The entire two-week run was sold out before it had even opened.
Directed by Andy Fickman, the cast included Barrett Wilbert Weed (Veronica), Ryan McCartan (J.D.), Sarah Halford (Heather Chandler), Kristolyn Lloyd (Heather Duke), Elle McLemore (Heather McNamara), with Katie Ladner, Jon Eidson, Evan Todd, Rena Strober, Rex Smith, Zachary Ford, AJ Meijer, Zach Bandler, Cait Fairbanks, Charissa Hogeland, Trevor Shor and Rachel Flynn.
On March 31, 2014, the 25th anniversary of the original film’s premier, Heathers: The Musical opened off-Broadway at New World Stages.
The production was again directed by Andy Fickman, set design by Timothy R. Mackabee, lighting design by Jason Lyons, costume design by Amy Clark, sound design by Jonny Messena, fight choreography by Rick Sordelet and Christian Kelly-Sordelet, musical direction by Dominick Amendum, and choreography by Marguerite Derricks.
Most of the LA cast reprised their roles, with Jessica Keenan Wynn (Heather Chandler), Alice Lee (Heather Duke),Anthony Crivello (Kurt’s father), Daniel Cooney (Ram’s father), Dustin Sullivan, Dan Domenech, and Michelle Duffy joining the cast.
Overall, reviewers were not impressed by the musical. They felt the musical lacked the bite and social critique of the original movie, and also felt Fickman’s direction missed the mark. Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Soloski stated the musical “replac[ed] black comedy with candy-colored camp,” and concluded “…this iteration? As Veronica remarks: “It’s whatever.””
In a review for Entertainment Weekly, Kyle Anderson similarly lamented that 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.” Although Anderson disliked the production overall, he praised Barrett Wilbert Weed for her portrayal of Veronica.
While The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney and The New York Times’ Ben Brantley also felt the show missed the mark, they noted the musical’s appeal to a young audience. Rooney concluded the musical “at least salutes a late-‘80s pop-cultural touchstone with the affection it deserves.”
In a rare glowing review, Variety’s Marilyn Stasio extolled “The witty Off Broadway show… plays strong to a multi-generational aud [sic]… Someone of the current generation should shake a leg and transfer this winner to Broadway.”
The off-Broadway run of Heathers was nominated for multiple awards. Barrett Wilbert Weed was nominated for Outstanding Actress at both the Drama Desk Awards and the Lucille Lortel Awards. Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Music, Marguerite Derricks was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography, and the production was nominated for an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical.
After 17 previews and 145 regular performances, Heathers: The Musical closed off-Broadway on August 4, 2014.
In 2018, independent production company Rabbit Soda Productions created a short film based on the musical. Directed by Charlotte Sofia Briones, the short is available to view for free online.
In late March 2018, a concert presentation of Heathers: The Musical took place at Feinstein’s/54 Below featuring Ingrid Michaelso, Will Chase, drag group Stephanie’s Child, Megan Amram, and Evan Todd.
After a London workshop presentation of the musical which incorporated new songs, Heathers premiered off-West End for a limited run at The Other Palace on June 9, 2018. The run sold out, reportedly breaking box office records at the venue.
After closing at The Other Palace on August 4, 2018, Heathers transferred to the West End where it opened at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on September 3, 2018. Once again the musical was directed by Andy Fickman, with set and costume design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samon, and choreography by Gary Lloyd.
The cast featured Carrie Hope Fletcher (Veronica), Jamie Muscato (J.D.), Jodie Steele (Heather Chandler), T’Shan Williams (Heather Duke), Sophie Isaacs (Heather McNamara), Rebecca Lock (Ms Fleming), Jenny O’Leary (Martha Dunnstock), Christopher Chung (Kurt Kelly), Dominic Andersen (Ram Sweeney), Edward Baruwa (Ram’s Dad), Jon Boydon (Kurt’s Dad), Lauren Drew, Charlotte Jaconelli, Alex James Hatton, Olivia Moore, and Sergio Pasquariello.
As with the off-Broadway production, the West End transfer received mixed reviews. While critics universally praised the performances of the cast, they had divided feelings over the score, and the effectiveness of the show overall.
Hadley Freeman, writing for The Guardian, praised Carrie Hope Fletcher’s “energetic sweetness” in her portrayal of Veronica and Jodie Steele’s “close to stealing the show” performance as Heather Chandler. The Stage’s Tim Bano also extolled the performances of the cast, and noted that “Andy Fickman’s direction and Gary Lloyd’s choreography excel when it comes to the three Heathers.”
While Freeman found the score to be “generic,” Bano described it as “thrilling… full of bopping pop songs and moody ballads.”
On the success of the show overall, Freeman felt that the bite had been taken out of the original source material, while Ann Treneman in The Times disdainfully claimed “It’s a cult, basically.” Conversely, Tim Bano stated “It turns out Heathers is a masterful deconstruction of hypocrisy and a hymn to acceptance and tolerance.”
The West End production of Heathers won two WhatsOnStage awards including Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical (Carrie Hope Fletcher).
Heathers closed in the West End on November 24, 2018.
On June 21, 2021, Heathers: The Musical returned to the West End, once again opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
A UK tour was launched a month later in Leeds in July 2021.
Heathers transferred back to The Other Palace in November 2021, where it was filmed live (see Filmed Production Notes below).
The film of Heathers has also been adapted into a television series. The series, pitched as a modern retelling of the movie, was first slated to be developed by Bravo, and after a brief stay at TV Land was picked up by the newly rebranded Paramount Network in 2017. The March 2018 premier was delayed due to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The new premier in October 2018 was also curtailed by another mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As noted by Screen Rant writer Kayleigh Donaldson, “In 2018, that kind of violent fantasy [represented by the original film] isn’t a harmless pipe-dream: It’s a fear that millions of American kids live with every day that could easily become a reality… The morbid truth of the matter is that if the Paramount Network had to shelve or postpone every episode of Heathers whenever there was a mass shooting, the season would never fully air.”
Songs from the musical were included in an episode of the high school based series Riverdale in 2019.
On September 1, 2022 the production hosted a Big Fan Day which included choreography and vocal workshops with the cast, a “make your own scrunchie workshop” Q&A’s with cast members and actors from the original film, and cosplay.
Heathers: The Musical is available for licensing via Concord Theatricals. The materials are based on the 2019 West End production.
A teen edition, which leaves out the profanity, and drug and sexual references, is also available. As writer O’Keefe noted in Playbill upon the release of the teen edition in 2016, “By removing all the hot-button [material]…what was left was adolescents trying to be cruel to each other or trying to be kind to each other, trying to hurt each other or trying to save each other, and an amazing thing happened… it removed one extra layer of veil or insulation between the performers and the actual truth of the show, which made for a more intense, moving, awesome, funny and scary experience than we thought.”
There are currently two cast albums for the show - the World Premier Cast Recording and the Original West End Cast Recording.
As noted by Leah Putnam in Playbill, Heathers: The Musical has gained its own cult following thanks to the popularity of the original cast album, and licensing, which has allowed for a high number of regional and school productions.
Initial announcements had shared Heathers at The Other Palace would run until February 2022, however the closing date continues to be extended. As of January 2023, the musical is scheduled to run until September 3, 2023. Throughout 2023, Heathers: The Musical will host sing-along performances at The Other Palace with audience members encouraged to dress up in 80s inspired outfits.
Film history
Film History
Heathers: The Musical opened for a second time at The Other Palace on November 25, 2021.
The cast included Alisa Davidson (Veronica Sawyer), Freddie King (J.D.), Emma Kingston (Heather Chandler), Inez Budd (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara),Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Lizzie Bea (Martha Dunnstock), George Maddison (Kurt Kelly), Tom Scanlon (Ram Sweeney), Kieran Brown (Ram’s Dad/Coach Ripper), Jacob Fowler, Jordan Cunningham, Iván Fernández González, Eliza Waters, Mary-Jean Caldwell, Hannah Lowther, and Kayleigh McKnight.
Between May 3 - 19, 2022, the production went on hiatus to allow for filming. On May 19, two performances were filmed with a live in-person audience, with tickets allocated via a ballot.
The film capture was directed by Andy Fickman who, according to an interview in Theatrely, desired “to give the [viewer] the best seat in the house”. Fickman reportedly drew inspiration from telecasts of the Tony Awards, the Macy’s Day Parade, other recent proshots such as Hamilton, Come From Away, and Newsies, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show (of which stage versions have also been filmed live).
The film cast included Ailsa Davidson (Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (J.D.), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Vivian Panka (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara), Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s mother), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Oliver Brooks (Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper), Andy Brandy (Ram’s Dad/Principle Gowan/Veronica’s Dad), Benjamin Karran (Beleaguered Geek), Chris Parkinson (Hipster Dork/Officer McCord), Jermaine Woods (Peppy Stud/Officer Milner), Eleanor Morrison (Young Republicanette), Mary-Jean Caldwell (Stoner Chick), Hannah Lowther (New Wave Party Girl) and May Tether (Drama Club Drama Queen).
Writing for WhatsOnStage, Alex Wood praised the production for using the show’s current cast with “emerging talent” for the capture, rather than bringing in previous “major stars”.
In August 2022 it was announced that the capture of Heathers: The Musical would be available to stream on The Roku Channel. Viewers were not required to have a Roku device, as the stream was to be made available online and via all Roku apps.
Heathers: The Musical was released in North America on Roku on September 16, 2022. On the same day, the production shared via Twitter that information on further international releases would be announced at a later date.
Reviewers were divided in their opinions of the musical and the capture itself. John Serba, writing for Decider, stated “it’s not an expensive production, merely a filmed version of the stage version… And the result is fine, just fine.” Serba also agreed with some of the in-person critics in claiming that the musical was a “diluted form” of its movie predecessor. Meanwhile, Ashley Hajimirsadeghi stated on MovieWeb “With great performances, this is one not to miss.”
Curtain Call’s Helen Sullivan stated “Heathers translates well on the screen while also keeping the elements of a stage production.” Alex Wood in WhatsOnStage praised Andy Fickman’s use of wide shots which opened up the “intimate” stage and allowed “the big ensemble numbers to pop,” while close-ups “peppered throughout [added] greater dynamism and flare.”
Sullivan and Wood also praised the production’s choice of including the live in-person audience in the capture, noting that the musical’s fandom — members of whom are referred to as “corn nuts” — were central to its success.
It was announced in late January 2023 that the musical will be available in select cinemas across the UK from March 28, 2023. In late March 2023, Village Roadshow Entertainment and Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment announced a new partnership to distribute Heathers. It will be available in select cinemas between March 28 - May 6, 2023, and available digitally and on DVD and Blu-ray from June 5, 2023.
Heathers: The Musical is currently available to stream for free in the US and Canada on The Roku Channel.
Heathers: The Musical opened for a second time at The Other Palace on November 25, 2021.
The cast included Alisa Davidson (Veronica Sawyer), Freddie King (J.D.), Emma Kingston (Heather Chandler), Inez Budd (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara),Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Lizzie Bea (Martha Dunnstock), George Maddison (Kurt Kelly), Tom Scanlon (Ram Sweeney), Kieran Brown (Ram’s Dad/Coach Ripper), Jacob Fowler, Jordan Cunningham, Iván Fernández González, Eliza Waters, Mary-Jean Caldwell, Hannah Lowther, and Kayleigh McKnight.
Between May 3 - 19, 2022, the production went on hiatus to allow for filming. On May 19, two performances were filmed with a live in-person audience, with tickets allocated via a ballot.
The film capture was directed by Andy Fickman who, according to an interview in Theatrely, desired “to give the [viewer] the best seat in the house”. Fickman reportedly drew inspiration from telecasts of the Tony Awards, the Macy’s Day Parade, other recent proshots such as Hamilton, Come From Away, and Newsies, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show (of which stage versions have also been filmed live).
The film cast included Ailsa Davidson (Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (J.D.), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Vivian Panka (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara), Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s mother), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Oliver Brooks (Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper), Andy Brandy (Ram’s Dad/Principle Gowan/Veronica’s Dad), Benjamin Karran (Beleaguered Geek), Chris Parkinson (Hipster Dork/Officer McCord), Jermaine Woods (Peppy Stud/Officer Milner), Eleanor Morrison (Young Republicanette), Mary-Jean Caldwell (Stoner Chick), Hannah Lowther (New Wave Party Girl) and May Tether (Drama Club Drama Queen).
Writing for WhatsOnStage, Alex Wood praised the production for using the show’s current cast with “emerging talent” for the capture, rather than bringing in previous “major stars”.
In August 2022 it was announced that the capture of Heathers: The Musical would be available to stream on The Roku Channel. Viewers were not required to have a Roku device, as the stream was to be made available online and via all Roku apps.
Heathers: The Musical was released in North America on Roku on September 16, 2022. On the same day, the production shared via Twitter that information on further international releases would be announced at a later date.
Reviewers were divided in their opinions of the musical and the capture itself. John Serba, writing for Decider, stated “it’s not an expensive production, merely a filmed version of the stage version… And the result is fine, just fine.” Serba also agreed with some of the in-person critics in claiming that the musical was a “diluted form” of its movie predecessor. Meanwhile, Ashley Hajimirsadeghi stated on MovieWeb “With great performances, this is one not to miss.”
Curtain Call’s Helen Sullivan stated “Heathers translates well on the screen while also keeping the elements of a stage production.” Alex Wood in WhatsOnStage praised Andy Fickman’s use of wide shots which opened up the “intimate” stage and allowed “the big ensemble numbers to pop,” while close-ups “peppered throughout [added] greater dynamism and flare.”
Sullivan and Wood also praised the production’s choice of including the live in-person audience in the capture, noting that the musical’s fandom — members of whom are referred to as “corn nuts” — were central to its success.
It was announced in late January 2023 that the musical will be available in select cinemas across the UK from March 28, 2023. In late March 2023, Village Roadshow Entertainment and Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment announced a new partnership to distribute Heathers. It will be available in select cinemas between March 28 - May 6, 2023, and available digitally and on DVD and Blu-ray from June 5, 2023.
Heathers: The Musical is currently available to stream for free in the US and Canada on The Roku Channel.
cast & creative credits
Cast & Creative Credits
Theatre: The Other Palace
Producer: Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills Film: BKStudios
Production Services: Steam Motion and Sound, Roku, Village Roadshow Pictures
Book, Music & Lyrics: Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe
Director: Andy Fickman
Musical Director: Phil Cornwel
Orchestrations: Laurence O’Keefe and Ben Green
Choreography: Gary Lloyd
Costume & Production Design: David Shields
Lighting Design: Ben Cracknell
Film Lighting Design: Clayton Jacobsen
Sound Design: Dan Samson
Stage Manager: Grace Currie
Director of Photography: Clayton Jacobsen
Film Editor: David Tregoning
Film Audio Producer: Lee McCutcheon
Cast:
Alisa Davidson (Veronica), Simon Gordon (J.D.), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Vivian Panka (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara), Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Oliver Brooks (Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper), Andy Brady (Ram’s Dad/Principal Gowan/Veronica’s Dad), Benjamin Karran (Beleaguered Geek), Chris Parkinson (Hipster Dork/Officer McCord), Jermaine Woods (Peppy Stud/Officer Milner), Eleanor Morrison Halliday (Young Republicanette), Mary-Jean Caldwell (Stoner Chick), Hannah Lowther (New Wave Party Girl), May Tether (Drama Club Drama Queen)
Band:
Phil Cornwell (Musical Director/Keys), Kevin Campbell (Drums), Nathan Finn (Bass), James Dibble (Bass), Jack Pennifold (Guitar), Mike Redfern (Guitar), Katie Punter (Reeds), John Hinch (Trumpet/Flugel)
Theatre: The Other Palace
Producer: Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills Film: BKStudios
Production Services: Steam Motion and Sound, Roku, Village Roadshow Pictures
Book, Music & Lyrics: Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe
Director: Andy Fickman
Musical Director: Phil Cornwel
Orchestrations: Laurence O’Keefe and Ben Green
Choreography: Gary Lloyd
Costume & Production Design: David Shields
Lighting Design: Ben Cracknell
Film Lighting Design: Clayton Jacobsen
Sound Design: Dan Samson
Stage Manager: Grace Currie
Director of Photography: Clayton Jacobsen
Film Editor: David Tregoning
Film Audio Producer: Lee McCutcheon
Cast:
Alisa Davidson (Veronica), Simon Gordon (J.D.), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Vivian Panka (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara), Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Oliver Brooks (Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper), Andy Brady (Ram’s Dad/Principal Gowan/Veronica’s Dad), Benjamin Karran (Beleaguered Geek), Chris Parkinson (Hipster Dork/Officer McCord), Jermaine Woods (Peppy Stud/Officer Milner), Eleanor Morrison Halliday (Young Republicanette), Mary-Jean Caldwell (Stoner Chick), Hannah Lowther (New Wave Party Girl), May Tether (Drama Club Drama Queen)
Band:
Phil Cornwell (Musical Director/Keys), Kevin Campbell (Drums), Nathan Finn (Bass), James Dibble (Bass), Jack Pennifold (Guitar), Mike Redfern (Guitar), Katie Punter (Reeds), John Hinch (Trumpet/Flugel)
research sources
Articles
Websites
- Kyle Anderson, “'Heathers the Musical': EW review,” Entertainment Weekly (April 3, 2014)
- Nellie Andreeva, “Bravo Announces Five More Drama Series In Development, Including 'Heathers' Reboot,” Deadline (Sept 12, 2012)
- Nellie Andreeva, “‘Heathers’ Anthology Series Based On the Movie In Development At TV Land,” Deadline (March 16, 2016)
- Nellie Andreeva, “‘Heathers’: Shelved Reboot Series To Air On Paramount Network With Edits,” Deadline (Oct 4, 2018)
- Anthony D’Alessandro, “‘Heathers’: The Unpopular Kids Rule In Paramount Network’s Millennial Update – TCA,” Deadline (Jan 15, 2018)
- Tim Bano, “Heathers the Musical,” The Stage (Sept 14, 2018)
- Stephen Bates, “Heathers The Musical – Theatre Royal Haymarket, London,” The Reviews Hub (Sept 14, 2018)
- Sheila Benson, “MOVIE REVIEW `Heathers' Gets Lost in a Moral Thicket,” Los Angeles Times (March 31, 1989), Part VI, p.1 & 15
- Ben Brantley, “The Rich Girls Are Going to Lose, for Once, New York Times (April 1, 2014)
- Raven Brunner, “London's Heathers the Musical Will Celebrate Big Fan Day at The Other Palace,” Playbill (Aug 22, 2022)
- Dominic Cavendish, “Heathers, Theatre Royal Haymarket, review: wicked, rebellious musical isn't just for fans of the film,” The Telegraph (Sept 14, 2018)
- Lindsay Champion, “What’s Your Damage?! Heathers the Musical to Slay Off-Broadway’s New World Stages This Spring,” Broadway.com
- Logan Culwell-Block, “London Heathers Plans Sing-Along Performance, Cosplay Encouraged,” Playbill (July 25, 2022)
- Kayleigh Donaldson, “A Heathers Reboot In 2018 Was Always A Terrible Idea,” Screen Rant (Oct 30, 2018)
- Nina J. Eastman, “First-Time Director Denies Intention to Stir Suicide Fears,” Los Angeles Times (March 23, 1989) p. OC_E1
- Hadley Freeman, “Heathers the Musical review – teenagers safely on the rampage,” The Guardian (Sept 13, 2018)
- Andrew Gans, “Heathers the Musical Will Be Filmed at London's Other Palace,” Playbill (April 28, 2022)
- Andrew Gans, “Cast Announced for Filmed Version of London's Heathers the Musical,” Playbill (May 19, 2022)
- Michael Gioia, “How and Why Heathers Got Remade for High School,” Playbill (Sept 13, 2016)
- Lesley Goldberg, “Bravo Developing ‘Heathers’ Reboot, 4 More Scripted Dramas (Exclusive),” The Hollywood Reporter (Sept 12, 2012)
- Lesley Goldberg, “‘Heathers’ Sequel Not Moving Forward at Bravo,” The Hollywood Reporter (Aug 7, 2013)
- Leslie Goldberg, “‘Heathers’ Reboot, Alicia Silverstone Comedy Switch Networks in Viacom’s Paramount Push (Exclusive),” The Hollywood Reporter (March 16, 2017)
- Ashley Hajimirsadeghi, “Exclusive: Andy Fickman on Heathers: The Musical and Theater Becoming Movies,” MovieWeb (Sept 15, 2022)
- Ashley Hajimirsadeghi, “Heathers: The Musical Review: An Over-the-Top Black Comedy about Teenage Angst, Violence, and Bullying,” MovieWeb (Sept 15, 2022)
- Talura Harms, “Tune-In Alert! Heathers the Musical Streams on the Roku Channel September 16,” Playbill (Sept 16, 2022)
- Adam Hetrick, “Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy's Heathers the Musical Will Premiere in L.A.,” Playbill (Aug 29, 2013)
- Adam Hetrick, “Heathers The Musical Begins Sold-Out L.A. Premiere Engagement Sept. 21,” Playbill (Sept 21, 2013)
- Adam Hetrick, “"Corn Nuts!": Heathers: The Musical Closes Off-Broadway,” Playbill (Aug 4, 2014)
- Jen Juneau, “'Heathers the Musical' Will Soon Be Available to Stream — Where to Watch,” People (Aug 2, 2022)
- Ashley Lee, “‘Heathers: The Musical’ Set to Make New York Debut in Spring 2014,” The Hollywood Reporter (Dec 10, 2013)
- Ross A. Lincoln, “TV Land’s ‘Heathers’ TV Remake Finds Its Heathers” Deadline (Oct 27, 2016)
- Ryan McPhee, “London’s Heathers Will Transfer to the West End,” Playbill (July 5, 2018)
- Ryan McPhee, “Following Carrie Episode, Riverdale Will Take on Heathers: The Musical,” Playbill (Jan 17, 2019)
- Dan Meyer, “Heathers the Musical Will Return to London and Launch U.K. Tour,” Playbill (April 8, 2021)
- Naman Ramachandran, "‘Heathers: The Musical’: Village Roadshow, Kaleidoscope Team for U.K. Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)," Variety (March 28, 2023)
- Denise Petski, “‘Heathers’ Reboot Not Moving Forward At Paramount Network,” Deadline (June 1, 2018)
- Denise Petski, “‘Heathers’ Episodes Pulled Following Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting,” Deadline (Oct 29, 2018)
- David Rooney, “Heathers: The Musical: Theater Review,” The Hollywood Reporter (March 31, 2014)
- Paul Rowland, “DANIEL WATERS ON 'HEATHERS' (PART 1 OF 2),” Money Into Light (May 2016)
- Brandon Schwartz, “How HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL Became a Fan-Fueled Nightly Rock Concert,” Theatrely (Sept 20, 2022)
- John Serba, “Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Heathers: The Musical’ on the Roku Channel, a Live-Shot Version of the Hit Stage Production Based on a Cult Classic Movie,” Decider (Sept 16, 2022)
- Alexis Soloski, “Heathers review – cult 80s film becomes a candy-coloured musical,” The Guardian (April 1, 2014)
- Marilyn Stasio, “Off Broadway Review: ‘Heathers’ the Musical.” Variety (March 31, 2014)
- Helen Sullivan, “How Very! Heathers: the Musical proshot has been released!” Curtain Call (Sept 22, 2022)
- Angela Thomas, “Filmed Heathers The Musical cast confirmed,” Musical Theatre Review (May 21, 2022)
- Angela Thomas, “Heathers’ school run at The Other Palace extended into 2023,” Musical Theatre Review (July 26, 2022)
- Shaun Tossell, "Heathers the Musical UK Cinema Release Announced," Theatre Fan (Jan 22, 2023)
- Ann Treneman, “Theatre review: Heathers the Musical, Theatre Royal, Haymarket SW1,” The Times (Sept 14, 2018)
- Hannah Vine, “Look Back at Heathers: The Musical Off-Broadway,” Playbill (March 25, 2018)
- Stephi Wild, “HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Returns to The Other Palace in November,” BroadwayWorld (Oct 29, 2021)
- Alex Wood, “Heathers the Musical filmed release – review,” WhatsOnStage (Sept 16, 2022)
- Uncredited, "'Heathers': Light Look at a Dark Topic: FILM 'Heathers' Satirizes' Teen-Age Suicide." New York Times (Mar 26 1989), p. 11 & 20
- Uncredited, “Review: Heathers the Musical, The Other Palace,” Ask the Ushers (July 8, 2018)
Websites
- AFI Catalog, “Heathers (1989),” Accessed via: https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/58108
- Concord Theatricals, “Heathers the Musical,” Accessed via: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/56725/heathers-the-musical
- Concord Theatricals, “Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition,” Accessed via: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/60416/heathers-the-musical-teen-edition
- IMDb, “Heathers,” Accessed via: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097493/
Written by Luisa Lyons (November, 2022; updated January, 2023)