Stage version might even be better than the cult classic film
When a cult classic takes to the stage, the actors must find ways to embody the familiar characters while making them their own. Such is the case with Heathers: The Musical – a stage adaptation of the 1989 film Heathers. The musical, written in 2010 by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, almost seems more relevant than it did in the ’80s. Set at Westerburg High, the story is named for the school’s bullies — the Heathers — who make it their priority to bully anyone who doesn’t fit the mold of their idea of perfection. The plot follows students Veronica Sawyer and Jason Dean, who find an irreverent and dark way to fight back.
Siena Widen and Connor Sheehan in ‘Heathers: The Musical’
Saying I enjoyed this show would be an understatement. Heathers is one of my favorite musicals. It is raw, gritty and in many ways disturbing, yet it embodies the high school experience many faced and continue to encounter. The score is fresh and exciting yet still pays homage to the sounds of the late ’80s and ’90s, and the lyrics help keep the story moving at a quick pace. Timing is everything in Heathers, and the entire cast of 24 in Durango Theatreworks’ performance were up to the task. They came at the audience from throughout the theater, singing and dancing on the stage and in the aisleways. Artistic Director Michael McKelvey made excellent use of the intimate Fort Lewis College Theater. At times, I felt that I was in the play myself as action happened all around me.
Heathers follows the story of Veronica Sawyer, a smart girl who wants to be popular. She finds her way into the clique of Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke, and they transform her into the “It” girl of Westerberg. Veronica struggles as she lets her conscience slip, becoming a bully herself. Durango actress Siena Widen tackles the multilayered and complex character with ease, belting out the many ballads Veronica sings to showcase her inner thoughts and emotions. Widen has a way of making the audience love her. You want to keep one eye on her at all times so as not to miss something. I also should say the set was fun, fitting the show and its 1989 era. Widen also designed the set, and did it well.
Widen has an onstage chemistry with her co-star Connor Sheehan, who seems to channel Christian Slater in the role of loner Jason Dean, or J.D. Slater was J.D. in the movie Heathers, and Sheehan not only looks like Slater, he moves like him as well. That being said, Sheehan is not a carbon copy; he took the role of J.D. and made it his own. J.D. is an angry young man with a troubled home life. He finds solace in the passion and love he feels for Veronica, yet he always takes things a bit too far. He is the character you love and want to win in the end. Sheehan makes him lovable. Even when J.D. is doing horrible things, you can see how conflicted he is, because of Sheehan’s superb acting.
The truly abominable characters are the Heathers – Chandler, McNamara and Duke. They are portrayed by the trio Madison Britton, Rebecca Thurston and Jade Graves, respectively. Britton is another who commands attention on stage, yet all three bring a dynamic all their own to the performance. Adding to the show are Julian Colby as Kurt and Wyatt Krob as Ram. And I would be remiss if I did not mention Geoff Johnson, Ben Mattson and Joy Kilpatrick, who round out the cast. One final shout out to Haley Sandford and her beautiful voice in the role of Martha.
Durango Theatreworks has proven with this musical in its premiere season that it is ready to deliver strong performances leaving the audience wanting more.
Debra Mayeux is an award-winning journalist who has covered news, events and the arts in both broadcast and print format during the past 30 years at media companies throughout the Four Corners region. She also is an actor with 40 years of experience on stage.
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