ONLINE PROGRAM
Heathers the musical
book, music and lyrics by KEVIN MURPHY & LAURENCE O'KEEFE
based on the film written by DANIEL WATERS
presented by the cast of SBT's 2024 STUDENT SUMMER INTENSIVE PROGRAM
Heathers The Musical - Teen Edition is presented through a special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
SBT Production photography by Tim Nguyen.
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights and actionable under copyright law.
August 16 to 31, 2024
Thursdays to Saturdays 7pm
Saturdays & Sundays 2pm
Recommended for 13+
Due to mature themes & subject matter
Running time:
Two-act musical, approx. 120
min with a 15 min. intermission
SHOW SUMMARY
Welcome to Westerberg High, where Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of better days. But when she is invited to join the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, rulers of the high school halls, Veronica’s dreams of popularity may finally come true. That is until mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…Wickedly funny, with a dazzling book, music, and lyrics, HEATHERS the musical is based on the 1988 cult hit starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. This is one top-of-the-class production you can’t afford to skip.
RECOMMENDED FOR 13+
Read more about show ratings and recommendations >
Video courtesy of The Music Man on Broadway, 2022, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, directed by Jerry Zaks.
CONTENT WARNING
Heathers is a dark comedy and deals frankly with subjects such as sexuality, mental health, murder, and suicide. We consider these to be aspects of real life which should be represented in art. However, we acknowledge that these subjects may be triggering for some people and inappropriate for some younger audience members.
Throughout the rehearsal process, our cast had the opportunity to meet and work with local support groups to help them navigate the subject matter of this show and their own feelings.
If you or someone you know needs help, please know that you can dial 9-8-8, for the Suicide Crisis Hotline or visit the links to our partner organizations here.
Production Inclusion Statics
68.60% FEMALE/NON-BINARY
REPRESENTATION
45.97% MARGINALIZED REPRESENTATION
15.38% BIPOC
REPRESENTATION
30.77% LGBTQIA2S+
REPRESENTATION
83.72% ON STAGE
65.38% OFFSTAGE
95.35% ON STAGE
42.31% OFFSTAGE
34.88% ON STAGE
15.38% OFFSTAGE
39.53% ON STAGE
30.77% OFFSTAGE
ABOUT THE CREATORS
LAURENCE O'KEEFE
Laurence "Larry" O'Keefe is an American composer for Broadway musicals, film and television. O'Keefe received 2007 Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his work on Legally Blonde. He won the Ed Kleban Award, the ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award and a Jonathan Larson award for his music and lyrics. Off-Broadway credits: Bat Boy: The Musical (Lucille Lortel, Richard Rodgers, Outer Critics' Circle awards), which has received 100+ productions worldwide; music for Sarah, Plain and Tall, lyrics by Nell Benjamin (touring with TheatreWorksUSA). Co-author with Nell Benjamin of Cam Jansen (Drama Desk nomination) and The Mice. Larry is a product of his education with the Harvard Krokodiloes, the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the Harvard Lampoon and the Actors' Gang, but especially the incomparable Nell Benjamin.
KEVIN MURPHY
Kevin was a producer of the original LA and NY productions of Heathers (Drama Desk nom for music). He also provided lyrics and co-wrote the book for the stage musical Reefer Madness and was a producer on both the original Los Angeles and Off-Broadway productions. Reefer swept the three major Los Angeles theatre awards which included triple wins for Best Musical and Best Score.
In New York, Kevin’s lyrics were nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Kevin co-adapted Reefer into a Showtime Original movie which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and screened in competition at the 2005 Deauville Film Festival, winning the Premiere Audience Award. The movie received three Emmy noms, winning for Outstanding Music & Lyrics. Kevin is currently showrunner for the AMC historical drama series The Son starring Pierce Brosnan. Other TV credits include Desperate Housewives (Golden Globe winner, two-time WGA Award nom, Emmy nom), Defiance, Ed, Reaper, Caprica and Hellcats. Kevin has co-written many songs for these shows, most recently “Across the Storm Divide” and “Teach This Boy to Fly” (co-written with Laurence O’Keefe), both of which were featured on Defiance.
SONG LIST
ACT ONE
Beautiful – Veronica and Students
Candy Store – The Heathers
Fight For Me – Veronica and Students
Candy Store Playoff – The Heathers
Freeze Your Brain – JD
Big Fun – Ram, Kurt, Veronica, the Heathers, and Students
Dead Girl Walking – Veronica and JD
Veronica's Chandler Nightmare – Heather Chandler and Students
The Me Inside of Me – Heather Chandler, Veronica, Cops, Ms. Fleming, and Company
You're WelCome – Heather McNamara, Heather Duke, Kurt, and Ram
You're WelCome (Reprise) – Heather McNamara, Heather Duke, Kurt, Ram, and Students
Our Love Is God – Veronica and JD
ACT TWO
Prom or Hell – Veronica
My Dead Gay Son – Ram’s Dad, Kurt’s Dad, and Mourners
Seventeen – Veronica and JD
Shine A Light – Ms. Fleming and Students
Lifeboat – Heather McNamara
Shine A Light (Reprise) – Heather Duke and Students
Hey, Yo Westerberg – Heather McNamara and Students
Kindergarten Boyfriend – Martha
Yo Girl – Heather Chandler, Ram and Kurt
Meant To Be Yours – JD and Students
Dead Girl Walking (Reprise) – Veronica, JD, and Students
I Am Damaged – Veronica and JD
Seventeen (Reprise) – Veronica, Martha, Heather McNamara, and Company
FROM THE DIRECTOR
It’s September 1st, 1989. Ronald Reagan is President, we are about to experience the revolution to end communism, and the New Kids on the Block are “Hanging Tough”.
Heathers the Musical is a heartfelt, if not slightly homicidal, show that takes us all on a journey of first loves, peer pressure and school hierarchy. Navigating High school can be tricky, even harder still when the “cool kids” are meanies, and the new guy seems to solve problems without even thinking twice about murder being the answer. Follow Veronica as she tries to navigate it all while simultaneously not to be completely erased from the school social structure.
Based on the cult film Heathers from 1988, which many of you have most likely seen, Heathers The Musical began its journey to the stage in 2010 with Kevin Murphy as both the screenwriter for the original movie and the stage adaptation. The 44 students who brought this story to life, went all in. We, as a company, grew through workshops to develop the show and tackle its colourful subject matter. The students in this project have overcome many challenges to tell this story. Their support for each other has made this journey an incredible one.
With the energy of two complete casts (Team Dynamite & Team Croquette), an incredible production team, and our tireless crew, we have brought this teen coming-of-age story to life.
Welcome to Westerberg High School. Now, sit back and get ready to ask yourself, “What’s your damage, Heather?!”
SAMANTHA McKENNA CURRIE
Director/Program Lead
THE COMPANY
THE CROQUET CAST
Veronica Sawyer Alexa Andrews
J.D. (Jason Dean) Laura Pratt
Martha Dunnstock Tayah Funk
Heather McNamara Hayoung Chun
Heather Duke Kiyomi Elford
Heather Chandler Gabriella Remillard
Ram Sweeney Isaiah Murdoch
Kurt Kelly Neveah Gross
Ms.Fleming Trina Remata
Ram’s Dad/Hipster Dork/Veronica’s Dad Alex Frederiksen
Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Beleaguered Geek Julia Zandvliet
Mom/Coach Ripper Adele Gaber
Principal Gowan Katherine Sampson
Officer McCord/Faculty Cambrie Dyrland
Officer Milner/Faculty Darwin Gelfand
Football Jock/Ensemble Jordan Zubot
Stoner Chick/Cheerleader Sawyer Crawford-Clarke
Cheerleader Taylor Krake
Young Republicanette/Cheerleader Keiara Orate
Preppy Prep/Cheerleader Kinley Fossenier
New Wave Girl/Ensemble Carmella Swift
Goth/Ensemble Danika Beede
THE DYNAMITE CAST
Veronica Sawyer Sophie O'Brien
J.D. (Jason Dean) Joshua Jack Natabio
Martha Dunnstock Tessa Laidlaw
Heather McNamara Alexandria Lee
Heather Duke Alysa Utigard
Heather Chandler Sasha Skibo
Ram Sweeney Sullivan Andrusiak
Kurt Kelly Nicolas Florez
Ms.Fleming Allysha Nolasco
Ram’s Dad/Hipster Dork/Veronica’s Dad Madz D'Agnillo
Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Beleaguered Geek Trent Krause
Mom/Coach Ripper Ella Quinn
Principal Gowan Nadya Dunfield
Officer McCord/Faculty Athena Caballero
Officer Milner/Faculty Naomi Hoover
Football Jock/Ensemble Natalia Davis
Stoner Chick/Cheerleader Kate Probert
Cheerleader Eve Kirby
Young Republicanette/Cheerleader Maysan Kawash
Preppy Prep/Cheerleader Sarah Hope
New Wave Girl/Ensemble Charlotte Bieichert
Goth/Ensemble Sandra Ou
THE CREW
Director Samantha McKenna Currie
Choreographer Taylor Rae Steedman
Musical Director Ethan Vasquez Taylor
Asst. Musical Director Katie McMillan
Acting/Vocal Coach Joel Schaefer
Stage Manager Serena Lemire
Assistant Stage Manager Midori O'Connor
Assistant Stage Manager Jayden Durksen
Assistant Stage Manager Chloe Zhu
Assistant Stage Manager Kenny Bye
Costume Designer Paige Prystupa
Wardrobe Asst. Darcie Howe
Makeup Designer Melody Kielek
Hair Designer Cat Bentley
Property Master Danelle White
Set Designer DeNeane Osmond
Set Builder Josh Bailey
Set Support Nathan Snyder-Blok
Lighting Designer Ben Childs
Asst. Lighting Designer Alex Bhargava
Lighting Operator Jo Ackerman
Sound Design & Programming Owen Jones
Sound Operator Paul Davies
Sound Operator Aretha Smith
Fight Director Rico Pfieffer
Intimacy Director Anastasia St Amand
Artistic Producer JP Thibodeau
Artistic Associate Nickolas Bishop
Box Office & Facility Supervisor Tanecia Cromwell
Marketing Director & Graphic Design Jennifer Merio
Marketing Intern Abby Lyons-Mantyka
Marketing Intern Mackenzie Devlin
Marketing Intern Shuo Liu
Office Admin & Accounting Eva Stieber
Show Photography Tim Nguyen
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS & PRODUCTION SUPPORT
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL touches on many mature themes and addresses critical issues prevalent in today's society. Creating a safe space for our performers was essential, particularly as the show depicts several instances of violence.
Our production team recognized the importance of engaging experts to facilitate conversations about the show's themes and the struggles teens face. In its commitment to preparing and supporting our young performers to present challenging and potentially triggering themes, StoryBook reached out to community organizations and partnered with them to facilitate coaching and workshops . An open learning environment was created to learn more about performing sensitive subject matter and support our teens' mental health.
Certified Intimacy Director, Anastasia St Amand, whom SBT has employed for many of its past productions, was brought on board to choreograph the more emotional and sensitive moments in the show. St Amand acted as a liaison, communications coach and support between the production team and the scene partners for scenes that involved intimate dialogue and physical contact.
Calgary's Woods Homes hosted a workshop that focused on crucial aspects such as maintaining mental well-being during busy or challenging times, supporting peers in crisis, and recognizing when to seek help from an adult. The seminar also delved into essential topics like mental health and family dynamics, teen suicide awareness, and the impact of social media on teens’ well-being.
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) visited StoryBook Theatre to deliver a vital presentation on sexual abuse in all its forms to the students. The session covered key topics such as defining and understanding sexual violence, exploring the concept of consent and the legal ages of consent, and providing guidance on how to act as an ally to someone in crisis, as well as how to seek help.
MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
SUPPORTERS, DONORS & CONTRIBUTORS
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS
PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORTERS
MEDIA SUPPORTERS
DONORS, SUPPORTERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Occasional Notes Productions
Calgary Arts Development
Paul Davies
Teresa O’Regan
Gregory Smith
Clarice Siebens
Lane Olafson
Hesson Persaud
Corinne Spence
Janine Labossiere
Frank Fowler
The Wawanesa Mutual Life Insurance Co.
M.E.G Energy/Kenneth Wilson
Maria Shaw
Blue Spruce Investments Ltd.
Ann Farebrother
Maureen Morris
Ella Quinn
Kirk Schmidt
Melissa Smith
THANK YOU TO...
Wood's Homes
CCASA
Anastasia St Amand
Rico Pfeiffer
Dani
Taylor
Wood's Homes
CCASA
Anastasia St Amand
Rico Pfeiffer
And thank you to ALL of our extraordinary volunteers - your time and efforts help make the magic happen!