BWW Reviews: HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL Brings the Eighties Back

Friday night, Street Theatre Company continued their history of bringing edgy, daring theatre to the Nashville theatrical community. HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL is the latest venture for Street Theatre Company. Based on the 1989 movie of the same name, starring Wynona Rider and Christian Slater as Veronica and JD, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL could possibly be the darkest, most twisted comedy this theatre-goer has ever seen. With book, music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL takes audiences inside of a typical 1980s high school, with an extreme twist.

Directed by Martha Wilkinson, with music direction from Randy Craft and choreography from DeVon Buchonon, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL creates the world of high school in the 1980s and multiplies the emotional, click-y, mean-spirited bits by a hundred. Veronica, our heroin, shows the hierarchy of high school in the opening number, Beautiful, and the audience becomes immediately aware that they are dealing with a comedic show, introducing characters and their place in their world. Adding to the 80s of it all is the amazing set, resembling a giant boom box and cassette tapes, from set designer Randall Ty Pike.

By the time we meet the Heathers in Candy Store all the pieces in the high school hierarchy have fallen into place. Veronica has abandoned her only friend to be "friends" with the Heathers and we begin to see the twisted pieces of the story fall into place. While Veronica, played by the talented Rosemary Fossee, wants to hold onto her morals and good intentions, she finds herself becoming more and more like the three Heathers that torture the school. Heather Chandler, played by Marnie Price, runs the group while Heather Duke, played by Malory Gleason Mundy fills the role of second-in-command. Heather McNamara, played by Katelyn Rose, rounds out this malicious trio by heading up the cheerleading squad.

The story begins to shift when Veronica meets JD, played by the gifted Chris Lee. JD is the school loaner. He has no friends, but he and Veronica make a connection. With their relationship comes a dark and twisted side that leads to death and sadness. While this sounds like it could be a horrible change from comedy to tragedy, it really becomes a comedic look at some really dark subjects.

Those familiar with the movie will recognize the "What's your damage??" that eventually leads to the number I Am Damaged. A strangely beautiful number that shares all the damage that every single person has; young or old. Some more comical numbers in the show include Blue and My Dead Gay Son, both of which give a very comical look at some very serious topics.

Martha Wilkinson performs double duty as director and playing the role of Ms. Fleming and Veronica's mother. Her portrayal of Ms. Fleming, the hippie and quirky teacher, was by far my favorite part of the show. Followed closely by Rosemary Fossee's Veronica and Sydney Hooper's Martha "Dumptruck".

HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL is the kind of show that will find a place in the hearts of children of the 80s, fans of the original movie, and those who like a slightly twisted view on real life. If you're up for it, get to Looby Theatre to see Street Theatre Company's production of HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL. It's so very.

All tickets are pay-what-you-can this season with STC's 10th Anniversary season and HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL runs through September 13th. You can purchase tickets by visiting Street Theatre Company's website.

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