Review: HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL a Big Hit With the Film's Fans

If it were a high school student, HEATHERS would've been voted "Least Likely To Become A MUSICAL." Released in 1988, the dark comedy about an outsider's plot of murderous revenge against the popular kids' clique almost seems like a backlash to the sunnier view of high school life like THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985), PRETTY IN PINK (1986) and FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986).

One wonders if HEATHERS, which starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, would have been proposed as a movie idea 11 years later in the wake of the Columbine shootings.

Yet the film developed a cult following and was rewritten into HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL which had a successful Off-Broadway run starting in 2014. The musical got a warm reception in its central Ohio debut on May 12 at the Northland Performing Arts Center (4411 Tamarack Blvd in Columbus). Directed by David R. Bahgat, the Imagine Production's show attracted well over 200 people, the theatre company's largest audience for an opening night.

Set in the 1980s, the musical centers on Veronica Sawyer (Eryn Hollobaugh), a social misfit at Westerberg High School (a clever homage to The Replacements front man Paul Westerberg) and her quest to become popular. In the biggest compromise of principles since Sandy in GREASE, Veronica sacrifices who she is to become one of "the Heathers," a trio of popular girls all namEd Heather who ruthlessly control Westerberg.

Sawyer, however, finds her social existence as a serf to the Heathers hollow after she is forced to betray one of her friends. She soon finds herself being drawn to mysterious social outcast J.D. (Brandon Fox). After the two of them "accidentally" poison Heather Chandler (Kelsey Hopkins) and stage her death to appear as a suicide, J.D. convinces Veronica to join his "anti-bullying" campaign ... by killing off all the bullies at Westerberg.

"Dear Diary, my teen-angst bullshit now has a body count," Hollobaugh sings in "Prom Or Hell."

Although opening night had some sound issues, Hollobaugh and Fox forge a quirky, yet believable type of chemistry in songs like "Freeze Your Brain," "Our Love Is God," and "Seventeen." Hollobaugh conveys Sawyer's reluctance and revulsion as J.D. reveals his ultimate plan for blowing up Westerberg in "Meant To Be Yours:" We'll watch the smoke pour out the doors. Bring marshmallows. We'll make s'mores! We can smile and cuddle as the fire roars."

Hopkins, Elisabeth Zimmerman (Heather Duke) and Sarina Hyland (Heather McNamara) sink their teeth into these meaty roles as the Heathers. Each character has its own unique qualities but meld into the same wickedness when they work together. Hopkins is perfectly cast as the controlling queen bee that gets others to overcome their hesitations to do her bidding.

Zimmerman is a delight as Duke transforms from a meek, bulimic follower of Chandler to another cruel manipulative monster. Hyland's McNamara appears to be the only Heather even questions why she is even part of this domineering clique. Veronica tries parent logic with the old adage "If all the Heathers were going to jump off a cliff, would you do it?" McNamara pauses for a beat and nods, "Yeah, probably."

Danny DiMarino and Anthony DiCocco nail their roles as Westerberg's brainless jocks/thugs Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly and Emma English steals the spotlight as Martha Dunnstock with her torch song, "Kindergarten Boyfriend."

Under the direction of Zac DelMonte, the seven-member orchestra of Aaron Dvorak (keyboards), Ben Canton (guitar), Max Kilcup (bass), Kiffy Kokal (drums), Aroh Pandit (trumpet), Elise Skaggs (viola) and Tom Regouski (reeds) provide a solid soundtrack for the show's action.

HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL may not be everyone's cup of tea but chances are strong if you liked the movie, you will love the musical.

HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL will be performed 8 p.m. at May 12-14 with a 1 p.m. matinee May 15 at the Northland Performing Arts (4411 Tamarack Blvd in Columbus). Call 614-398-1110 for information.

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