Two River Theater will concludes its 2014/15 Season with Be More Chill, a new musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, based on the acclaimed 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini. The production is directed by Stephen Brackett, with orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, music direction by Nathan Dame, and choreography by Chase Brock.
Two River Theater commissioned Be More Chill in 2011 and has supported its development through readings, workshops, and artist residencies. The project is the largest musical and one of the most ambitious projects in the theater’s history.
Says Artistic Director John Dias, “I knew the sensibilities of Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz would blend beautifully and they would be the right team to adapt Be More Chill, which combines a cringingly real look at teenage life with techno-fantasy and wry humor. ‘The Joes’ create the perfect mix of emotional honesty and bad-ass cool-so key when writing about the popularity battleground that is an American high school.”
Jeremy Heere (played by Will Connolly, Once) is just an average teenager. That is, until he finds out about “The Squip” (Eric William Morris, Bloodsong of Love by Joe Iconis)-a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most: a date with Christine (Stephanie Hsu, Winners), an invite to the raddest party of the year and a chance to survive life in his suburban New Jersey high school. But is being the most popular guy in school worth the risk?
The company of Be More Chill will also feature Jake Boyd (Rock of Ages) as Jake, Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening) as Rich, Katlyn Carlson (Dirty Dancing) as Chloe, Katie Ladner (Heathers: The Musical) as Jenna Rolan, Lauren Marcus (The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks) as Brooke, George Salazar (Godspell) as Michael, and Paul Whitty (Once) as Jeremy’s Dad.
The production will run May 30-June 21, 2015, with the opening night on Friday, June 5. Tickets starting at $20 are available from 732.345.1400 or www.tworivertheater.org
