The Cast-Be More Chill

 

The cast and creatives of BE MORE CHILL met with the press yesterday. The buzz is hot, hot, hot, coming off huge accolades and a sold out run off Broadway to now open on Broadway beginning previews at the Lyceum Theatre on February 13 and a scheduled opening night on March 10.  Theater Pizzazz’ Magda Katz was on the scene to capture it all.

 

The Creatives

 

 

Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen, The Black Suits) as Jeremy; George Salazar (tick tick BOOM!, Godspell, The Lightning Thief) as Michael; Stephanie Hsu (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Christine; Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening, Groundhog Day) as Rich; Katlyn Carlson (Dirty Dancing, The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin) as Chloe; Tiffany Mann (WaitressJerry Springer the Opera) as Jenna; Lauren Marcus (The Humans at St. Louis Rep, Company at Barrington Stage) as Brooke; Britton Smith (Shuffle AlongAfter Midnight) as Jake; Jason SweetTooth Williams (Freaky Friday, Benny and Joon, Bloodsong of Love) as Mr. Heere – Mr. Reyes – Scary Stockboy; and Jason Tam (NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” KPOP) as The Squip. THE CREATIVE TEAM –  composer/lyricist Joe Iconis (NBC’s “Smash”, The Black Suits, Broadway Bounty Hunter), book writer Joe Tracz (The Lightning Thief, Netflix’s “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”), choreographer Chase Brock (HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark), and director Stephen Brackett (Buyer & Cellar).

What if popularity came in a pill? Would you take it, no questions asked? In Be More Chill, achieving that elusive “perfect life” is now possible thanks to some mysterious new technology-but it comes at a cost that’s not as easy to swallow. What could possibly go wrong? Blending the contemporary with retro sci-fi, this thrillingly exciting, comically subversive, and deeply felt new musical takes on the competing voices in all of our heads. And ultimately proves, there’s never been a better time in history to be yourself-especially if you’re a loser…geek…or whatever. 

 

Be More Chill features scenic design by Tony Award-winner Beowulf Boritt (Come From Away), costume design by Bobby Frederick Tilley II (Lizzie BordenTop Girls); lighting design by Tony Award-winner Tyler Micoleau (The Band’s Visit); sound design by Ryan Rumery (Fool For Love); projection design by Alex Basco Koch (Buyer & Cellar); hair and makeup design by Dave Bova; musical direction by Emily Marshall; music supervision and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen (Prince of BroadwayHoneymoon in Vegas); fight direction by J. David Brimmer; production supervision by SenovvA Inc.; casting by Telsey + Company / Adam Caldwell, CSA & Rebecca Scholl, CSA; production stage management by Amanda Michaels (The ChildrenThérèse Raquin). John Corker and Lisa Dozier King are general managers for the Broadway run of Be More Chill.

 

Video Interviews/Photos: Magda Katz