Produced by: Marina de Jager
Directed by: Riley Cope
Musical Direction: Rachel Breeze
Choreography: Abby Cutlack
If you were looking for a show that packed an emotional and musical punch, 'Heathers' was the ticket you’d been waiting for. Based on the 1989 cult classic film, this production plunged us straight into the hormone-fuelled world of Westerberg High, where the Heathers rule the school and Veronica Sawyer is tangled up in a web of power struggles, mean-girl antics, and a whole lot of questionable life choices.
As my first-time stage experience with 'Heathers', I was blown away from start to finish! The opening number 'Beautiful' showcased Veronica's impressive vocals and the memorable quick-change moment that had the audience cheering. From there, we were thrust into the heart of Westerberg, with a set that captured everything from the school's high walls to more intimate spaces, like JD’s bedroom and the local 7/11. The lighting and costuming were spot-on, with signature red, yellow, and green hues enhancing the 80s atmosphere.
Kristin Sparks truly lit up the stage as Veronica Sawyer, capturing the character's teenage dorky charm. Her nuanced acting abilities and extensive experience allowed her to adeptly guide the character through a transformative journey, from vulnerability in the face of the Heathers' manipulation and susceptibility to JD's influence, to a steady realisation of the consequences of their cruelty.
The legendary 'Dead Girl Walking' was electrifying as Veronica tipsily climbs through JD’s window to seduce him. Sparks' vocal register shifts and belting ability while executing challenging movements just further emphasised her remarkable talent. She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand, balancing intense passion and rebellion with an underlying vulnerability. Plus, the stunning lighting enhanced the fiery atmosphere that engulfed the stage. By the time Veronica unleashed her solo, “I Say No,” Sparks had activated her character's inner badass survival mode. You could feel the weight of her character’s journey in every note. Her expressive eyes—exhausted, frantic, and desperate—told the entire story, akin to the gaze of someone struggling with an addiction.
Nathan Wheeler as Jason Dean (JD) paired well with Sparks, resulting in an electric vocal connection on stage. His velvety voice infused with intensity brought a haunting quality to songs like 'Freeze Your Brain,' where the reverberation effect on the microphone transformed his delivery into something cinematic - revealing his villain origin story. As the show progressed and the stakes grew higher, JD's descent into darkness only enriched Wheeler's interpretation. By his climactic solo 'You Were Meant to Be Mine,' Wheeler's raw and desperate vocals drove home JD’s manipulative nature. The chemistry between Nathan Wheeler and Kristin Sparks was divine, particularly in the 'Our Love is God' and 'Seventeen' duets. Their voices meshed beautifully, with Wheeler’s deep, commanding tones perfectly complementing Sparks' equally strong vocals.
The three Heathers nailed their roles like they were born for it! Ashlyn Hehir as Heather Chandler, Kyra Stout as Heather McNamara, and Natalie Ferris as Heather Duke formed an impeccable trio, serving up a combination of ruthless cruelty and pure teenage ignorance. 'Candy Store' was exceptional, producing a rich harmony that hit that sweet spot (pun intended). These '80s mean girls had a magnetic pull that made it impossible to look away.
Ashlyn Hehir was like the dream Heather Chandler I never knew I needed! Her voice soared and her comedy shone in 'The Me Inside of Me.' And even in her ghostly form, she completely dominated that stage. Kyra Stout poured her heart out in 'Lifeboat' as Heather McNamara, making us all feel the emotional weight of suicidal thoughts. It was a moment that reminded us of the real and painful realities of these characters' lives. And then there's Natalie Ferris as Heather Duke - she was the perfect mix of authority, sass, and attitude in her show-stopping solo 'Never Shut Up Again,' asserting herself as the new queen. Her lightning-fast costume change, insane vocal runs, and the whole ensemble dancing around her made it an iconic scene to remember.
Kurt and Ram were absolute scene-stealers who fully embraced the absurdity of their characters with wild enthusiasm. Played with impeccable comedic timing by Sage Lynch (Ram) and Eli Fahey (Kurt), the duo embodied the brutish buffoonery. These two might have been the stereotypical clueless jocks, but their performances were anything but one-dimensional. From their amusing antics in 'You're Welcome,' to their continuous reappearances in ghostly form, these two had a knack for turning every moment into a punchline.
Sally Hancock delivered a remarkably heart-wrenching performance as Martha singing 'Kindergarten Boyfriend.' Her angelic vocals exuded vulnerability as this seemingly sweet song transformed into a poignant moment that revealed a lot more depth than anticipated. Sophie Mason played multiple roles, but her portrayal of Ms. Fleming was especially memorable. Her soulful gospel solo 'Shine a Light' was flawless in both vocal execution and stage presence (as expected), but also included some impromptu audience interaction and some awesome light-up prop books.
Of course, we couldn’t talk about this production without mentioning the ensemble. They brought the energy and urgency needed to keep this dark comedy rolling. Portrayed by Jackson Kellaway and Mackenzie Pratt, Kurt and Ram's fathers triumphed with 'My Dead Gay Son,' characterised by its prideful spirit and iconic mullet wigs. Everyone on stage had this palpable chemistry and enthusiasm that made me wish I could hop up there and join them.
Under the musical guidance of Rachel Breeze, every number reached the highest standards of professionalism. Abby Cutlack’s choreography was the cherry on top, especially during 'Fight For Me'; a hilarious slow-motion scene as the three lead boys engage in a fight on stage, which not only elicited big laughs but also displayed unexpectedly graceful movements. The show’s climax was staged as well as they could have, with tension and adrenaline escalating through the fight choreography. It was the final group encore that left many of the actors visibly moved to tears.
While 'Heathers' touched on some dark and controversial topics—bullying, teen suicide, sexual assault—it managed to balance these moments of intense drama with just the right amount of humour. The cast’s ability to make even the darkest moments light-hearted was a testament to the strong direction from Riley Cope. The mix of comedy and tragedy was expertly executed, and by the time we reached the explosive finale, I was thinking how quickly we had reached that point!
From captivating choreography to show-stopping solos, this 'Heathers' production delivered on every front. The cast and crew should be incredibly proud of their work. As I overheard one audience member say while leaving the theatre, “It exceeded my expectations.” And honestly, it exceeded mine too.
Photos by Brit Creative
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