Above : Tiegan Denina as Veronica Sawyer with the the cast of this energetic dark high school satire. This and featured image photo credit: Nicholas Gomez.
In the words of this cast: Holy shit! There is ‘Big Fun’ going down right now at the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre! An impressive troupe of young stars are totally carving up the stage with triple threat ease in the Mitchell Old Company’s version of Heathers-The Musical.
Whether newcomers to this show, lovers of the 1989 movie featuring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater or die hard fans of any edgy cult-worthy off-Broadway musical, this dark twist on the American High School formula is a must see.
The clever, Slurpee-in-the-face show rockets along before us. This production gives the tale of a trio of popular girls (The three ruthless Heathers) a decent polish up for 2022 audiences. The recogniseable set and scenes from any U.S school comes to savage, satirical life, imbued with A-plus grade superstar stamina.
The action at Westerberg High has the usual spread of geeks through jocks and misfits to cheerleader. Its dark shades turn school bullying, popularity, bullemia, romance, violence, counselling, house parties and pop rallies on their head. The sensitive topics are given thorough theatre treatment . They demand a fiery and slick delivery of song and dance moments to survive, teach and entertain in this pop-tart-laced-with-poison parody. All of this passes the pop-quiz with flying colours here.
Above: Well known to local independent theatre audiences, Michele Lansdown delivers a great caricature of school teacher and hip counsellor Mrs Fleming. Photo credit: Nicholas Gomez.
Director Jake Tyler’s training at AIM and personal experience help him mould the talent into a pulsing machine. His direction is assisted by killer choreography from fellow creatives, choreographers Rheanna Hindmarch and Gelina Enriquez. The craziness of characters, which would make any hall monitor coping with forged passes run for their life is acturately captured in intense visual tableaux.
The stunningly-coiffed and costumed cast use the space well in group and solo song moments. They cover many moods, disorders and tortured senior year trysts which switch, swing, scare and impress in a melting pot of seventeen-year-old pressure.
Above: Sabrina Kirkham as Heather Chandler and Sam Welsh as Ram Sweeney. Photo credit: Nicholas Gomez.
A tight musical backdrop sets this show up for success. The story follows Veronica who becomes a Heather, tastes the bitter-sweet snacks of popularity and the danger of radical revenge when romance with broody new student J.D goes wrong. As this reality stage show hurtles along and the plot becomes darker and more exaggerated, this cast consistently nails the quality songs with double-edged sword lyrics penned by Laurence O’Keefe and Andy Fickman.
Stage time stands still for standout performances of numbers such as duets ‘Seventeen’ and ‘I Am Damaged’ from the irresistable indie-voiced, Slurpee-loving pyschopath J.D (Jerrod Smith) and the powerhouse makeover victim Veronica (with consistently strong vocals and stage presence from Tiegan Denina).
Above: (as in featured image at top of the review) Tiegan Denina and Jerrod Smith performing with powerful voices and keen chemistry as dangerous romantic duo Veronica and J.D. Photo credit: Nicholas Gomez.
Beautiful dips into teenage heartache and hidden dangers in the halls are provided in change-of-pace songs by the also promising Jayd Luna (in Martha’s ‘Kindergarten Boyfriend’ lament) and a controlled, simmering rendition of the chilling ‘Lifeboat’, commendably transforming the tone of the scene and character depth of Laura Dawson’s Heather McNamara in an instant.
Humour in buckets for several larger-than-life stereotypes was provided in satisfying portrayals of stock school drama roles. These were try-hard teacher Mrs Fleming (played by gold-star character actress Michele Lansdown) mythic bitch Heather Chandler (from a well-timed and scene-stealing Sabrina Kirkham) and big, bad blue-balling jocks Kurt and Ram (Jake Volbon and Sam Welsh).
The charismatic leading of the cast from this bible belt pair as dads of gays in Act Two is a total hoot and a pre Mardi Gras romp to make anybody’s rainbow day. This couple’s easy comic talents shone, surrounded by the lights of yet another scene with successful ensemble effort.
If you only break out of geekdom, lockdown, political correctness to see one edgy high school musical this term, make sure it is Heathers -The Musical. Be amazed at the strength of recently graduating talent surviving the pandemic and senior year classes in the performing arts. Support the industry we need and the enterprising energy that is Mitchell Old and his company.
Skip class or work for it. Hang with the cool kids. The brain freeze you get from gulping down the blinding talent will be worth it.
Heathers – The Musical plays at ARA Darling Quarter Theatre until March 5. Tickets from Ticketek.