3/31/2014

It Was Very*

My high school experience was probably more like Sixteen Candles (minus Jake Ryan) than any other 80s teen movie. But as much as I love it (and all from the John Hughes film canon), nothing compares to the brilliance of Heathers.

Dark. Satirical. Hilarious.

Christian Slater when he was hot. Winona Ryder when she had a career.

I loved it so much that I made my parents watch it. My mom, like my husband years later, didn't get the appeal. But my dad may like it more than I do. Which is why I emailed him an article a few months ago. The article described how a group of (possibly crazy) people were turning Heathers into an off-Broadway musical. My dad promptly got tickets for today.





I don't know how they managed to keep all the original dark sarcasm of the movie and still make me dance my way out of the theater, but they did it. The show officially opens tonight and I hope it gets good reviews.

The book is wonderful. It keeps many of the movie's greatest lines ("Well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw") and adds some new ones, especially in songs like "Blue" (the "blue" is referring to balls) and "My Dead Gay Son". Coincidentally, the director's friends were sitting behind us and we got to hear his conversation with them during the intermission. One explained to us later that she'd known him since he was a child, which explained his first question to her: "Is it too offensive?"

I couldn't hear her reaction. It's totally offensive in the most wonderful, humorous way. Like high school itself, really. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and so did the everyone else; I have never heard such an enthusiastic audience. Did it hit me like Rent or Les Miserables? No. But you don't always need a gut punch; that's why Mamma Mia played for so long (I would rather watch this show that Mamma Mia, by the way. And I LOVE Abba.)

The cast is great. One of the Heathers looks EXACTLY like the movie character, but otherwise the casting doesn't follow the movie's, as far as types go. The leads were especially great; the actor playing Veronica has an amazing voice.

The only actual flaw - and I say this reluctantly - was the choreography. I get that they obviously hired singers who could move, as opposed to dancers who sing, but WOW. I think Ironflower has had more difficult - and interesting - choreography in her dance recitals.

The only flaw for a Heathers fan is that there was no song about the lunch time poll. I was really expecting that.

The staging was bare bones, there's no flashy stuff that so many shows have nowadays. But it didn't need it; the performances, the book and the score were captivating. At least to a Heathers fan. I'll be curious to see what people who've never seen the movie think about it.

*This is a line from the movie. And the show. I did not forget a word, even though that's what it looks like.


26 comments:

Paige AllOvertheMap said...

Oooh, I saw that they were going to make it a musical! We just watched the movie with our 14-year-olds last weekend. So dark and wonderful. Glad you got to see the show.

Melissa said...

Ahhh, I love Heathers! I actually caught it on one of the movie channels a couple months ago, recorded it & made my hubs watch it. He didn't really get it either, lol. I would die if I ever got to check out the musical though. Must. Tell. The. Hubs. (By the way, so jealous!!!)

Meredith Elizabeth said...

So nice to hear that another person enjoys musicals like me. Did you hear Marshall and Barney from HIMYM sing a song from Les Miserables off the cuff during an interview session?

Hezzi-D said...

I loved Heathers too but I think that's because my name is Heather. I always thought it was so cool a movie was named after me!

Maddi'sMommy said...

I've never seen this movie, or heard of musical but I'm a fan of 80's-esque movies.

Kathy said...

Now I really want to see that movie! It's one that managed to pass me by. I'm glad that you got to go see the show with your dad and enjoyed it so much :)

Unknown said...

My wife talks about this movie. I have never seen it..

Chasity said...

I have never seen this movie. You did a very well thought out review. If the only con is the choreography, it must be good!

The Kim Six Fix said...

I didn't even know they had made this a broadway show.. The movie I remember from my teenhood.. Maybe they are just catering to us 'newly middle agers'

Unknown said...

I want to see the show now! Jealous.

Anonymous said...

I remember Sixteen Candles, but not this one. I have to watch it now!

Lisa said...

Would Love To See Sounds Like A Great Musical!!Great Review!!

Heather Jones said...

You know my name is Heather and people always bring up this movie. I think I finally need to sit down and just watch it!

Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

OH I totally want to see it! I don't really care about the dancing as long as they can sing!

Anonymous said...

NO WAY!?! "THE" Heathers?!? I totally have to see this!

Petro Neagu said...

Your dad seems like such a fun guy :) And the show also seems lots of fun and a must see. Enjoy and let us know how it was.

Unknown said...

I would love to see this! I loved the movie, it was so good!

mystylespot said...

haha loved reading this! sounds like we had a very similar high school experience!

mystylespot said...

haha loved reading this! sounds like we had a very similar high school experience!

ChickadeeSays said...

I haven't seen the movie in ages but I would love to see how they have created a musical!

Samantha said...

I am a musical junkie. I hope I have a chance to see Heathers

Amber Nelson said...

I have not had the chance to check this out.

Ckrusch said...

Would Love to see it, it sounds Like a Great Musical!! Great Review!!

Kiittäkää Aina ja Kaikesta said...

Great review! I have not seen the movie (sorry, I promise to get it and watch it) but the show sounds like something I would love to go to see. Too bad it's so far away!

First Time Mom and Losing It said...

That is so cool that they made a show out of it. I loved watching that movie.

Tonya said...

I've never actually seen it, but now I totally want to!