'Heathers: The Musical' brings dark teen comedy to Arts HUB in Lafayette

Jan. 12—Before Regina George and "The Plastics" ruled the halls of North Shore High in 2004's "Mean Girls," a frightful clique of croquet-playing, double-breasted blazer-wearing harpies reigned supreme at Westerberg High in "Heathers."

The late '80s dark comedy — written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann — turned the concept of the coming-of-age teen movie on its formulaic head with darker subject matter that brilliantly spotlighted themes of bullying, homophobia, fat-shamming, sexual assault, self-esteem and the daunting price of popularity.

Synthesis Theatre Company is bringing "Heathers: The Musical" to the stage at The Arts HUB in Lafayette for eight performances that appropriately kick off on Friday the 13th.

"We are so excited to be able to present 'Heathers,'" said Kenzie Rosen-Stone, director of programming at The Arts HUB. "Our Emerging Artist program supports up-and-coming artists in the launch of their new theater company for their first two years."

The incubator program helps mentor new companies, like Synthesis, through producing, designing, auditioning, managing and marketing. Synthesis previously produced Green Day's punk-rock show, "American Idiot: The Musical."

"This program strives to provide young artists the opportunities to gain the skills and experience they need to succeed on their own," said Rosen-Stone.

The production follows three wealthy girls, all named Heather, who lack empathy and are pretty much all-around snobs. Heather Chandler, the ringleader, is perhaps the worst of all. The trio's latest recruit is Veronica Sawyer — played in the film by Winona Ryder — an intelligent protagonist who is wrought with angst and pretty peeved about the unjust social hierarchy and high school politics.

She gets entangled with a new and mysterious student, JD — played in the film by a young Christian Slater — who brings her into a world of violence and crime, although Veronica didn't need much luring.

The two are like the '80s version of Bonnie and Clyde, albeit with curfews and a penchant for convenient-store slushies.

"Ironically, I cannot imagine a more perfect time than now to put on this cult '80s classic," said Mikaela Schindler, the show's director and co-founder and artistic director of Synthesis Theatre Company. "The difficult themes of mental health, suicide and shootings presented in 'Heathers' are more real and prevalent now than ever."

While the movie was released over 30 years ago, its relevance is just as fresh — perhaps more so — than when it first hit cineplexes.

"This show isn't exclusive to teens in the '80s," Schindler said. "This generation grew up facing these issues in day-to-day life. These problems are real, and we are so grateful to be able to spread awareness of and commentary on these pressing issues through the arts."

In addition to the intense subject matter, the upcoming production is bursting with an array of musical numbers that are sure to break the tension between harrowing and grim scenes.

"The cast spent over 20 hours learning just the music alone," Schindler said. "Our production will feature fan favorites such as 'Candy Store,' 'Seventeen,' 'Lifeboat,' 'Meant To Be Yours' and many more."

Songs whose lyrics boast about "maxing dad's credit card" and exploding bombs are paired with high-energy choreography.

"Our production will also feature newer songs, which are some of our personal favorites," Schindler said. "These include Duke's new solo, 'Never Shut Up Again,' Kurt and Ram's duet, 'You're Welcome' and Veronica's new power solo, 'I Say No.'

"Heathers" certainly paved the way for other deliciously dark films featuring minors like 1996's "The Craft," in which a posse of high school witches turn their backs on a member of their coven, and 1999's "Jawbreaker," where a prank among popular girls goes awry when they accidently choke their friend with oversized candy.

"Heathers truly has a cult following," Schindler said. "Those who grew up watching the movie love the nostalgic music, actors and scenery. The musical first appeared off-Broadway in 2014, which invited a new generation to fall in love with this truly beautiful story."

"Heathers: The Musical," like the film, takes the audience on a thought-provoking ride while still providing laughs when needed most.

"Growing up, I was intensely into theater and performing arts and even went to an arts high school in California to train more intensively," said Kayla Curneen, who plays Veronica in the production. "However, when I went to college, I decided to pursue other interests and have not performed in five years. This is a role that I have been wanting to play since I was 15 years old. So when I heard auditions were happening, I believed this was the perfect show and role to finally step back into performing and theater."

Curneen was also inspired to audition because of the lasting impact "Heathers" has had on her.

"I also loved this movie as a teenager," Curneen said. "I'm a huge fan of anything Winona Ryder."

Curneen credits her fellow thespians with making the transition back to the stage a smooth one.

"The most rewarding part of this role and this process has been the validation I feel in my performance abilities," Curneen said. "Veronica is a beast of a part, and I feel honored to be able to portray her while also having my abilities challenged in the best ways. Being surrounded by such an incredible and talented cast and crew makes the challenge far less intimidating, as well."

Fiona Spencer also plays Veronica in the upcoming production that features different cast members on different nights.

"My amazing castmates have been the best aspect of this entire show, and I could not do it without them," Curneen said. "Veronica and I are similar in the fact that we just want to make something of ourselves, leave our mark on the world and find what makes life beautiful."

After many hours of hard work, the cast is excited to slip on the knee socks, letterman jackets, pleated skirts and present audiences with a production that conjures both reflection and revelry.

"I play Martha Dunnstock, a character who I've grown very close to over this process," said Phi Johnson-Grimes, who serves as the extracurricular theater director for Girls Athletic Leadership School in Denver. "She represents what's real in this larger-than-life, absurd world the Heathers drag us into. I can't wait to share her story on opening night with all of the other amazingly talented people I share the stage with and feel everything come to life in real time."

Tickets to "Heathers: The Musical" are $18-$22.

"As the musical has adapted and evolved to more accurately represent the lives of teenagers today, it has still maintained the nostalgia of the original movie, appealing to multiple generations," Schindler said.