Review: HEATHERS at Stray Cat Theatre

Tempe's Stray Cat Theatre is certainly not the Valley's only alternative theatre, but their stellar show selection and quality showmanship makes them arguably the best. The group, run by locally celebrated actor and director Ron May, will soon vacate their home at the Tempe Performing Arts Center, leaving behind nearly a decade of unique, creative history that is art in the truest sense. However, with their current production of HEATHERS, Stray Cat gets ready to depart the venue (literally and figuratively) with quite a bang!

Stepping outside their "normal" season of off-beat (non-musical) plays, Stray Cat Theatre triumphs in producing this fresh musical, based on the cult classic 80's film of the same name. With the show's New York debut shuttering barely a year ago, this production marks the regional premier of the deliciously dark dramedy.

As in the film, HEATHERS is about high school misfit Veronica Sawyer (Brittany Howk), who falls fast for teenage outcast Jason "JD" Dean (Cole Brackney). Just as quickly as Veronica finds her way into the class clique, the "Heathers," led by Heather Chandler (Sara Sanderson) - with sidekicks Heather Duke (Taylor Moskowitz) and Heather McNamara (Elyssa Blonder) - she finds herself out. When Queen Bee Heather Chandler sees that Veronica doesn't bow down to her, she promises to make her life a living hell. Without giving too much away, Veronica's beau JD turns out to be more dangerous than dangerously sexy, and life at Westerberg High is filled with more than your average life-or-death teenage angst.

Although the script and score of the musical already hit a hard home run, the real winner in Stray Cat's slick show is Brittany Howk as Veronica Sawyer. Howk finds the perfect balance of heart and humor, delivering some of the smoothest physical comedy the area has seen. Her rich, powerful vocals are the highlight of the evening, making "Beautiful," "Dead Girl Walking," and "Seventeen" standouts of this exciting pop score.

Speaking of strong vocal performances, the notes Cole Brackney reaches as JD are simply off the charts. Still, his pop-rock tenor voice manages to reach each note with ease. Brackney's impressive ability to transform from boy next door to manipulative teenage terror is equally impressive, if not a bit frightening.

Having seen HEATHERS twice last year during the Off-Broadway run, I have a rather strong memory of the show. And Sara Sanderson's portrayal of "mythic bitch" Heather Chandler could have easily landed her a spot in the New York cast. Despite her petite frame (and Kristen Bell face), Sanderson's voice is larger-than-life, with a welcome confidence that dominates the stage whenever she appears.

But that's not where the talent ends! Michael Thompson and Alex Crossland are a enjoyably hilarious duo as dumb jocks Kurt and Ram; Taylor Moskowitz and Elyssa Blonder (the other two Heathers) each get the opportunity to show off their impressive vocal ranges; Tony Blosser and Rob Allocca bring down the house with "My Dead Gay Son;" and the remainder of the skilled ensemble fill the stage with their menagerie of diverse characters.

Hats off to director Louis Farber and music director Curtis Moeller, who have not only assembled a top-notch cast, but have guided them to epic success. Eric Beeck's sleek scenery perfectly sets the tone of the show, allowing the scenes to transition seamlessly. Costumes by Danny Chihuahua and lighting by Daniel Davisson add all the right colors and textures to this exciting 80's flashback. Although Nicole Olson's choreography was somewhat disjoined in the production's first two numbers, "Beautiful" and "Candy Store," her period-inspired steps (including a nod to Michael Jackson's "Thriller") were entertaining. The production's only major fault was its inconsistent sound balance, which was perhaps an opening-weekend casualty.

So, are you in or are you out? Grab your corn nuts, throw a scrunchie in your hair, and run over to Tempe Performing Arts Center to catch HEATHERS, running through December 20th, 2015. Tickets and more information are available at www.StrayCatTheatre.org.

Photography credit: John Groseclose

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