Sweet Briar Theatre presents ‘Heathers: The Musical’ Oct. 18-21

Taylor Watson ’20 as Veronica Sawyer (top) and the three “Heathers”: Mary Parker ’21 (from left) as Heather Duke, Zoe Steenwyk ’22 as Heather Chandler and Isabella DePaulo ’20 as Heather McNamara. Photo by Kylene Hayslett


Sweet Briar Theatre’s fall production will be “Heathers: The Musical,” a 2010 rock musical adaptation of the 1988 cult film by the same name. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20, as well as at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, in Murchison Lane Auditorium at Babcock Fine Arts Center.

The off-Broadway musical, which closely aligns with its cinematic inspiration, centers around “brainy, beautiful teenage misfit” Veronica Sawyer, “who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers.” Created by the award-winning team of Kevin Murphy (“Reefer Madness,” “Desperate Housewives”), Laurence O’Keefe (“Bat Boy,” “Legally Blonde”) and Andy Fickman (“Reefer Madness,” “She’s the Man”), “Heathers: The Musical” is “hilarious, heartfelt and homicidal,” its creators promise; it’s a “moving love story, laugh-out-loud comedy” and an “unflinching look at the joys and anguish of high school.”



Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Melora Kordos, who will direct Sweet Briar’s production of “Heathers,” notes how timeless — and valuable — the show’s themes are.

“This is an important show right now because of the issues it tackles — teen suicide, bullying, eating disorders, depression and sexual harassment,” Kordos says. “Looking at it through a humorous lens helps to shine a light on these topics and bring them out in a way that is relatable to students today. Sometimes seeing a show that is set in the past, in our case 1989, allows the audience to draw clearer parallels to the problems they face today. In this fun and dark comedy, everyone will find themselves being able to relate to at least one of the students of Westerburg High.”

The lead role will be played by Taylor Watson ’20. Luke Milhoan will play Veronica’s boyfriend Jason “JD” Dean, while the three “Heathers” will be played by Zoe Steenwyk ’22 (Heather Chandler), Isabella DePaulo ’20 (Heather McNamara) and Mary Parker ’21 (Heather Duke). Other cast members include Amelia Burnett ’20 (Martha Dunnstock), Stephen Nicosia (Ram Sweeney), Mason Patrick (Kurt Kelly), Jeff Price (Ram’s Dad, Big Bud Dean), Phoenix Brown ’20 (Ms. Flemming, Creepy Teen), Bryan McHenry (Coach Ripper, Kurt’s Dad, Veronica’s Dad), Jordan Sack ’20 (Principal Gowan, Officer Milner, Creepy Teen), Haylei Libran ’20 (Preppy Stud, Officer McCord, Creepy Teen), Olympia LeHota ’20 (Beleaguered Geek, Creepy Teen), Amber Snyder ’20 (Stoner Chick, Creepy Teen), Erin Snyder ’20 (Republicanette, Creepy Teen), Anna Davis ’20 (Goth Girl, Creepy Teen), Madeleine Young ’21 (Head Cheerleader), Rachel Mills ’22 (Ensemble, Creepy Teen), Rachel Barnes ’20 (Ensemble), Kaitlan Blackwell ’21 (Ensemble), Meenakshi Verma ’22 (Ensemble), Reesa Artz ’22 (Ensemble) and Tamia Jackson ’21 (Ensemble).

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for non-SBC students and free for Sweet Briar faculty, staff, students, alumnae and retired faculty and staff. Please note that this event is for mature audiences only. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 434-381-6120 or online at sbc.tix.com.

For more information, email Kordos at mkordos@sbc.edu.