Heathers The Musical

McKenzie Kurtz, Lorna Courtney, Elizabeth Teeter, and Olivia Elease Hardy (Photo: Evan Zimmerman)

By Fern Siegel (Posted July 11, 2025)

Teen revenge never looked so colorful — or so nasty.

But that’s what makes Heathers the Musical, now off-Broadway at New World Stages, work. For what it is — a teen revenge story on steroids — it delivers a high-energy, murderously entertaining show. The dancing, singing, lighting, acting and direction all score.

Direct from London's West End, this revival is written by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe and smoothly directed by Andy Fickman. Based on the 1988 cult movie, it nails all the horrors of high school. The timing, given our political climate, seems particularly on-point. Heathers is social Darwinism for teens. And just like a century ago, the cruel belief system wreaks havoc. Thankfully, there were no social networks in the Heathers heyday. The suicide rate, at least at Westerberg High, would have soared.

Here, in this boring Ohio town, popularity is all — cheerleaders, snobby rich girls and oversized jocks rule. Everyone else is at their mercy. The story revolves around Veronica Sawyer (a solid Lorna Courtney, the Tony-nominated star of &Juliet), who endures the hellscape veering between optimism and sassy retorts. Her close friend Martha (a sweet Erin Morton), like most of the kids, is teased by Ram and Kurt, two football players (Xavier McKinnon and Cade Ostermeyer) welded together in toxic masculinity.

In this severe hierarchy, the Heathers, Heater Duke (Olivia Hardy), Heather McNamara (Elizabeth Teeter) and “mythic bitch” Heather Chandler (a superb, snarky McKenzie Kurtz), the ultimate Heather, reign supreme. Veronica’s talent for forgery saves the trio from detention. As thanks, Heather Chandler invites her to join their inner circle. It’s a lucky escape — but her stay is finite. Westerberg is a Heathers cult, a battlefield of attacks and counterattacks. Submission is the price of entry. David Shields and Siena Zoe Allen’s costumes perfectly set the Heathers apart from their subjects.

Veronica takes refuge in J.D. (an excellent Casey Likes), the rebel with a cause. When the jocks attempt to torment him, he strikes back — until his initial cool reveals an explosive, darker side.

Of course, Heathers The Musical is all dark side. It manages to be both funny and disturbing, as it deals with the ills of teen life — fear of date rape, social ostracism and bullying. The musical has seen various iterations in the last decade, with rewrites and new songs added. The original film was strong on satirical critique. Here, the school's horrible response to teen suicide lands almost as a feel-good number. Same with the "I love my dead gay son" song. It's a fine line to walk.

Throughout, the audience is an active participant. Ardent fans, known as Corn Nuts, happily sing along at times and loudly applaud key moments. Gary Lloyd’s choreography is intense, while the score ranges from pop to fierce. Ben Cracknell’s lighting enhances the action and emotional mood. Kerry Butler skillfully plays several roles, from Veronica’s mom to Ms. Fleming, the hippie teacher. In fact, the cast hits all the right notes — belting at top volume.

Yet, Heathers is Kurtz’s show — and her tyrannical reign symbolizes what happens when social norms and basic decency are ignored. A few ironies and surprises abound, but as social commentary, the over-the-top teen angst rings true.