Broadway NewsBe More Chill, From Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz, Opens on Broadway March 10The musical plays the Lyceum Theatre following a New Jersey premiere, an Off-Broadway triumph, and a cult following online.
By
Ryan McPhee
March 10, 2019
Will Roland and cast of Be More ChillMaria Baranova
Be More Chill celebrates its official opening on Broadway March 10. The musical began previews at the Lyceum Theatre February 13.
Unlike many shows, the contemporary musical from composer Joe Iconis and book writer Joe Tracz arrives on the Great White Way with an established cult following, garnering the attention of young audiences online after a New Jersey world premiere at Two River Theater in 2015 and a subsequent commercial Off-Broadway run last year.
Stephanie Hsu and Tiffany Mann
Marc J. Franklin
The full company from the latter engagement reprises their performances at the Lyceum, including Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen) as Jeremy, George Salazar (Godspell) as Michael, Stephanie Hsu (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Christine, Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening) as Rich, Katlyn Carlson (Dirty Dancing) as Chloe, Tiffany Mann (Waitress) as Jenna, Lauren Marcus (Barrington's Company) as Brooke, Britton Smith (Shuffle Along) as Jake, Jason SweetTooth Williams (Freaky Friday) as Mr. Heere/Mr. Reyes/Scary Stockboy, and Jason Tam (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert) as The Squip.
Rounding out the cast as understudies are Cameron Bond, Anthony Chatmon II, Morgan Siobhan Green, Troy Iwata, Talia Suskauer, and Joel Waggoner.
The musical, directed by Stephen Brackett, is based on Ned Vizzini’s novel about an average teenager who takes a pill purported to make people more—you guessed it—chill.
The production features choreography by Chase Brock, sets by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by Bobby Frederick Tilley II, lighting by Tyler Micoleau, sound design by Ryan Rumery, projection design by Alex Basco Koch, musical direction by Emily Marshall, and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen. Casting is by Telsey + Company.