By Dale King
Lake Worth Playhouse continues to exercise its theatrical muscle by bringing unorthodox plays to its main stage in downtown Lake Worth Beach.
Since the COVID pandemic eased, show planners have presented such quirky entries as Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a gender-bending two-person performance, and We Will Rock You, an idiosyncratic collection of tunes by the rock band Queen, set in a time-unspecific future where music is banned.
The latest entry in this off-kilter bent – Heathers, the Musical – is now playing at the downtown showhouse. Coincidentally, it marks the debut of the venue’s 70th season.
Based on a largely overlooked 1989 film that grew into a cult classic, Heathers, the Musical – with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and born off-Broadway — takes us to Westerberg High School, a gaudy, unwelcoming, cold, cement structure whose student body is ruled by a shoulder-padded, plaid-skirted, croquet-savvy, scrunchie-wearing trio of mean girls – all named Heather.
This is no Rydell High, Grease fans. To call Heathers a killer theatrical piece would not be far from the truth. But to follow that plot line at this point would reveal a bit too much of what’s going on at this Animal House-style education facility somewhere in Ohio.
Anyone who went to high school during the past half-century is certainly aware of cliques, jocks, nerds, geeks, football field antics, inappropriate rally behavior, fake detention excuses and “smokin’ in the boys’ room,” among other pranks.
Heathers amps up the level and severity of the action by tapping some 30 years of educational downhillism – from drugs to guns, mental health issues to gender dysphoria, poking fun at physical foibles, campus protests, both sides of the LGBTQ debate and a general, overall lack of respect.
Heathers, you might say, is a lurid combo of TV’s Happy Days and filmdom’s Reservoir Dogs. Still, this high-energy black comedy manages to address dark issues such as bullying, teen suicide, sexual assault and school violence, though some get short shrift due to the rapid pace of the performance.
Lake Worth Playhouse has gathered a cast of some two dozen performers to bring Westerberg High to life, employing a generally youthful ensemble that seems to play best to a youthful audience. At least on opening night, the screeches from the gallery following songs and significant onstage activity seemed to emanate from the vocal cords of adolescents and young adults.
Actually, one would think a character named Heather would be the star. But she’s not.
Veronica Sawyer (Jade Evori Master), a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit, is most often center stage as she hustles her way into the Heathers – the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High – made up of Heather Duke (Alex McCrary), Heather McNamara (Rachel Robinson) and Heather Chandler – the lead Heather – portrayed with ballsy panache by Catherine Boynton.
Veronica worms her way into the triad by forging a detention excuse that saves one of the Heathers from the ignominy of an after-school stay. That gets her in tight with the other girls – but apparently not tight enough.
Before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the sexy, dangerous new kid, Jason “JD” Dean (Luke DiLiddo), a youthful bully with evil on his mind and in his many facial expressions – which are diverse and dynamic. His attitude is also fierce.
The roller-coaster romance of JD and Veronica is resolved just before the last curtain. Their blow-out finale yields to an ending that’s surprisingly upbeat, though a tad sugary.
The music track pretty much follows the action, but many tunes feel like 1980s recaps. The opening song, “Beautiful,” is just that. “Candy Store” is a sexed-up number featuring the Heathers. “Dead Girl Walking” takes place while JD and Veronica are having sex in a scene that could have been visually toned down.
“The Me Inside of Me” is a touching number by Heather Chandler, looking back from the Netherworld. “You’re Welcome” is a rant and “JD Gets Beat” is sung while the good-looking guy gets slammed.
Act II’s top numbers include “Seventeen,” “Shine A Light” and, particularly emphatic, Veronica’s “I Say No.”
Lead players get enthusiastic backing from other on-stage performers. Bridget Silver has a significant role as Martha Dunnstock, an overweight student who is kind and gentle, but is bullied and ignored by most students (except Veronica). She’s the one character whose “difference” from other high schoolers isn’t specific to this generation.
Eli Farrell and Danny Distasio ruggedly portray a couple of sexed-out, wise guy jocks who get their comeuppance, and Brittany Sinitch-Menendez is particularly off-the-wall as wacky teacher Ms. Fleming.
Director Debi Marcucci (Footloose, Flashdance, We Will Rock You) manages to keep the massive cast in check and on point. So does musical director Roger Blankenship and choreographer Kassie Meiller.
Costume designer Jill Williams’ sharp, slick, authentic outfits, the impressive set design and lighting crafted by Ardean Landhuis and the school’s grim façade create a spectacular visual package.
Heathers, the Musical runs through July 24 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach. Tickets can be purchased by calling 561-586-6410 or visiting www.lakeworthplayhouse.org.