Larry A. Ryle High School's HEATHERS THE MUSICAL: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION

Review by Adelaide Littner, Highlands High School Critic Team

High school has never looked so deadly—or so stylish in Larry A. Ryle High School's production of Heathers the Musical: High School Edition. This side-splitting satire slams teenage angst, high school hierarchy, and murder into one candy-coated, explosive package.

Heathers: The Musical, based on the 1980s movie of the same name, was written by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy. This production follows Veronica Sawyer as she is thrown into the depths of manipulation and popularity at Westerberg High School. Veronica faces the ruthless clique of "Heathers" as she balances her newfound popularity, growing feelings for the new student, Jason Dean, and her old friendship with Martha Dunnstock. The satirical aspects of this production underscore the topics of murder, suicide, and bullying as Veronica is forced to face the dark side of high school.

The cast of this performance kept the audience teetering on the edge of their seats as their high energy created a coherent and fast-paced two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza. Further, the cast's vocals, particularly in songs such as "Beautiful" and "My Dead Gay Son," were incredibly impressive as the entire cast demonstrated vast vocal abilities.

River Collier, playing Veronica Sawyer, demonstrated incredible character development as her views and values shifted throughout the show. Collier delighted the audience with her talent in songs such as "Dead Girl Walking" and "I Say No" as she both gave in to and fought against Jason Dean's charms. Jason Dean, more commonly known as J.D., was played by Parker Roland. It was clear that Roland had delved into the depths of his complicated character's mind through his choices, mannerisms, and interactions with other characters, ensuring that the stark contrast between the other students and his character was clear. Together, this duo had both strong chemistry and incredible tension, demonstrating the difficulties of manipulation and young love.

Heather Chandler, played by Grace Cole, was the fierce leader of the clique. Cole had a fiery attitude that left audience members wanting more. Her sassy sentiments perfectly represented her well-renowned character in the so-called society of Westerberg High School. Charlotte Bryan and Nik Coleson, playing Heather Duke and Heather McNamara, respectively, nailed their roles as they supported Heather Chandler in their clique while also showcasing their individual talents.

The technical elements of this production brought the show full circle. This is first highlighted in the lighting, designed by Carter Breig. The most notable aspect of the lighting was the changes in the color of the backdrop to correspond with the character that was the focus of the scene. Another technical element of note was the costumes, which were designed by Charlotte Bryan. The designs were well planned, and the handmade tear-away suits were fantastic to watch. Further, many of the costumes had unique originality as they were made by Bryan herself.

In conclusion, Larry A. Ryle High School's production of Heathers the Musical: High School Edition took the glittering facade of teen popularity and peeled it back to reveal something far more real as they tastefully brought everyday mental health issues to light.

Review by Grace Siener, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team

Suffocated in red, green, and yellow, Larry A. Ryle High School constructed a fabulous performance of Heathers The Musical: High School Edition that overflowed with snarky comments, petticoats, and scrunchies.

Heathers The Musical: High School Edition is based on the cult classic film, released in 1988, Heathers. This production illustrates Veronica Sawyer's teenage life as she and her diary go on a murderous rollercoaster of emotions with her psychotic boyfriend.

Larry A. Ryle High School beautifully portrayed a show consumed by dark comedy as their cast and crew created an intense environment that had a phenomenal mixture of laughs, gasps, and cheers. It was obvious that those involved in the show truly stepped up to the plate and contributed all they could to transform a heartfelt script into a momentous production.

River Collier inhabited Veronica Sawyer's complex persona as she told stories through her meticulous vocals and emotions. Furthermore, Collier's expressions and her stage presence added a whole new level of passion to Veronica's narrative. In addition to Veronica comes her love interest, J.D. (Parker Roland). Despite having to enact the insanity of his character, Parker Roland did a remarkable job building J.D.'s explosive temperament. On top of that, the rage and romance in Roland's vocals constructed a vehement atmosphere that added a brilliant bit of flavor to the production. This toxic duo wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the talent and realistic mannerisms both Collier and Roland brought to the table.

One of the most heartbreaking songs in the show, "Lifeboat," was carried out exquisitely due to the sentimental performance by Nik Coleson, who depicted the understandably emotional Heather McNamara. Coleson made the crowd silent as she mourned over her lost friend in a rage-induced hurricane of woe. On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum comes the iconic Dominic Rowen, who grabbed the opportunity of being Bill and just ran with the role and his loving partner, Paul (Alex Towner), in head-to-toe rainbow suits. This pair shed some light in the deep sea of dark that this show is, as they dominated their duet "My Dead Gay Son."

Last but most certainly not least comes the technical aspects of the production. First off, it is critical to note that all of the crews from this show truly exemplified what it means to work cohesively as they pulled together a very clever and organized performance. One crew that added an immense amount of originality and flow was the student choreographers (Charlotte Bryan, Wylie Grigsby, Nik Coleson, Grace Cole). Both the large group choreography and the more intimate duets were enchantingly tasteful. Along with choreography was the significance of the lighting (Carter Breif, Joe Anderson, Samantha Shufflebarger). The lighting in this show was wonderfully timed, precisely placed around the set, and creatively infused with a plethora of colors. Ultimately, these two crews together created a combination of clean-cut cues and ingenious arrangements.

Larry A. Ryle High School made a tremendous decision to tackle this profound production, because their cast and crew's tenacity and coordination bled through each laugh chuckled, each shout cried, and each tear dropped.

Review by Alexandra Hess, Campbell County High School Critic Team

Dear Diary,

An array of flashy colors and killer tunes, Larry A. Ryle High School's production of Heathers The Musical: High School Edition turned teenage drama into a hilarious high school horror story.

Initially premiering in 2010 as a concert at Joe's Pub in New York City, Heathers The Musical, by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy, quickly gained fame for its dark humor and sincere themes. While the show has never graced a Broadway stage, its notable impact on the teen-centered psychological-health discussion can be seen in its Off-Broadway and community revivals.

Despite the comedic atmosphere and satirical style of the show, Heathers addresses serious messages surrounding teenage mental health and suicide awareness. The collected composure and respectful approach of the students at Larry A. Ryle High School demonstrate a level of professionalism that is needed to educate an audience on these highly stigmatized social issues.

A murderously twisted couple, Veronica Sawyer and Jason Dean (J.D.), played by River Collier and Parker Roland, executed physically demanding and mentally challenging scenes with detailed precision and breathtaking conviction. Collier's undeniable command over her mixed vocal register was supported by her calculated breath control and deliberate sound placement, allowing her to perform staggering high notes and engaging riffs. She, along with Roland, maneuvered through stunning harmonies and overlapping lyrics while still maintaining a strong emotional connection to one another. Similarly, Roland's complete embrace of J.D.'s character provided convincing motivations, tactics, and choices that elevated his performance from satisfactory to terrifyingly phenomenal.

The startling combination of humor and gravity within this production tastefully navigated societal flaws involving bullying and harassment through the performances of Grace Cole, Hudson Gaiser, and Finn Eddleman, who portrayed the three Westerberg High murder victims: Heather Chandler, Ram Sweeney, and Kurt Kelly. Cole and Gaiser's unwavering confidence supported their on-stage personas, creating believable motivation for the events surrounding their deaths. This, together with their energized physicality and purposeful comedic timing, exemplified the show's precise technique of using jaunty entertainment to acknowledge the real-world issues it mirrors. In another display of virtuosity, Finn Eddleman demonstrated his instantaneous adaptability when he took on the role of Kurt Kelly a mere four days before opening night. The consequent change in blocking, combat, and general stage tracks never fazed Eddleman or his fellow cast members as they quickly adjusted to the new rhythm of the show.

The collaborative efforts of the crew at Ryle High School filled the stage with subtle nuances and prominent symbolism that drove the show to a new level of production. The props crew, led by Karma Turpin and Grace Cole, created an astounding number of intricately detailed properties, such as 30 illuminating accordion-like books. Though it took approximately 5 hours to assemble each individual book, their ambition resulted in enhanced visual intrigue that extended beyond the 7/11 slushies and BBQ Corn Nuts referenced in the script. Additionally, the choreography of this production was divided among 4 student choreographers (Charlotte Bryan, Wylie Grigsby, Nik Coleson, and Grace Cole). Furthermore, during the rehearsal process, these inventive individuals not only outlined their desired ensemble movements but also taught the cast their combinations, resulting in a cohesive dance tapestry that wove a coherent narrative throughout the entire show.

Overall, the dedicated cast and crew at Larry A. Ryle High School put together a side-splitting and heart-wrenching production that was truly "Beautiful."

Excerpts From Other Top Reviews

"Finn Eddleman and Huson Gaiser (Kurt and Ram) worked well together as a comedic duo. Their chest bumps and goofy handshakes perfectly brought life to their dumb jock characters and elicited many laughs from the audience."

-Catherine Foster, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team

"Alongside the cast, the technical elements were just as remarkable. The props crew, led by Karma Turpin and Grace Cole, spent hours crafting intricate, glowing books that dexterously enhanced the act two number, 'Lifeboat.' Similarly, the set crew, headed by Carter Breig, Kirsten Lageman, and Dakota Brummett, created a set that didn't compromise on scale or safety, a set versatile enough to be both a high school and a cow pasture, and substantial enough to easily support an entire ensemble."

-Clark Sayre, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

"Veronica Sawyer, played by River Collier, delivered an incredible performance filled with emotional nuance and vocal power. Her small, but intentional movements displayed the inner conflict that Sawyer experienced while clashing with the Heathers. Coupled with J.D. (Parker Roland), the two dominated the stage, consumed in their complicated love story, which was showcased beautifully in 'Our Love is God.' The Heathers (Grace Cole, Charlotte Bryan, and Nik Coleson) presented an iconic trio that embodied confidence and cruel charisma, while also carefully navigating the depths of each character to fully express their influence."

-Nyla Shahanavaz, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

"Along with the excellent work of the cast, the crew's technical craftsmanship added stunning detail. For example, costume design by Charlotte Bryan and crew sewed garments from rainbow tearaway suits to the iconic pleating of the green, yellow, and red plaid skirts. Hoping to connect with the community, marketing and publicity designers Cooper Benton, Charlotte Bryan, Anabelle Price, and crew implemented a kindness campaign throughout the school leading up to the performance, as well as themed display cases in the hallways."

-Norah Shadwell, Highlands High School Critic Team

"As the dark stage suddenly illuminated green, red, and yellow and the nostalgic synth intensified, three vibrant silhouettes appeared in a cloud of smoke. This extravagant entrance could not have been more appropriate for the chaos-filled time capsule of the 1980s that followed. Though 'Heathers' relies on exaggeration to carry its social commentary, its warnings remain dangerously relevant. The cast and crew of Heathers The Musical: High School Edition struck this delicate balance between side-splitting satire and shocking messages with tact and ease."

-Caroline Lovelace, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

"As an ensemble, the Heathers were very strong, both vocally and emotionally. As Heather Chandler, Grace Cole expertly played both the bully and comedic ghost aspects of the role. Also shining in comedic talent, Hudson Gaiser and Finn Eddleman repeatedly had the audience laughing out loud at their jock shenanigans as Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly, respectively. Cole, Gaiser, and Eddleman all brought a lot of energy to Act Two as the versions of their characters speaking beyond the grave."

-Kendall Davis, William Mason High School Critic Team

"Altogether, Larry A. Ryle High School's production of Heathers The Musical: High School Edition brought light to societal problems while also providing a fun and entertaining spin. With incredibly talented actors, designers, and crew members, this show was overall a very strong production."

-Adah Mosher, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team