We had forgotten how dark this twisted tale gets.
Just like the 1989 movie it’s based upon, Heather The Musical shines a light on eating disorders, rape culture, homophobia, bullying, school violence and teen suicide. Sadly, coming up on 40 years since the film’s original release, bullying-related suicidal behaviour is more prevalent than ever with cyberbullying entering the equation.
As Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder’s part), recent WAAPA graduate Emma Caporaso makes a notable professional debut. Sawyer’s reactions and witty asides drip with teen intensity. The audience really feels for her, dissolving into a collective sigh on occasion. Standout power-ballad duet Seventeen sees Veronica lamenting what could have been a great match in Jason “JD” Dean (were it not for the murders framed as suicides she unwittingly aided and abetted using her talent for forgery).
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The shadow of Christian Slater’s irresistibly dangerous Jason “JD” Dean would hang over any actor attempting this role, and Connor Beaumont – making his mainstage debut – does a commendable job throughout.
This pacy story centered around Westerberg High’s “lip gloss gestapo”, all named Heather (until Veronica joins the clique) and wielding croquet mallets, is endearing despite its grim subject matter.
All three Heathers (Calista Nelmes, Amélia Rojas and Abigail Sharp) nail it, making each character’s personality traits easily distinguishable amongst the pack.
Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell enhances cartoonish elements with splashes of primary colour to match each Heathers’ – and Veronica’s – ensembles. Red, green, yellow and blue, their costumes act as wordless bios (eg. red identifies Top Dog).
We blinked and missed Heather Duke (Rojas) morphing from green to red, head to toe – knee-high socks included – when she stepped into Queen Bee position as Heather Chandler’s successor – that’s some kinda David Copperfield-level shit!
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As Martha Dunnstock, Mel O’Brien brings much tenderness to one of the musical’s standout numbers, Kindergarten Boyfriend.
Nic Van Lits (Kurt) and David Cuny (Ram) – the goofy jocks, who often perform in their jocks – bring an elasticity of movement and easy chemistry to their stock characters. Slow-mo fight choreography brings the LOLs, but also minimises the violence – keeping things light.
The jocks’ dads (Ellis Dolan and Brodie Masini) bring the house down with My Dead Gay Son, which turns a double-funeral into a mardi gras.
Be prepared for audience members to squeal like they’re at a Beatles concert, many wearing red Varsity jackets (genius Heathers merch. Scrunchy packs also available – “how very”).
Any musical that includes a song about slushie-induced brainfreeze (Freeze Your Brain) is a hit in our eyes.
Heathers The Musical plays at The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne until 9 May.
