Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition

Full-Length Musical, Dark Comedy  /  10w, 14m plus ensemble

Book, Music & Lyrics by Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe

Based on the film written by Daniel Waters

This title is not currently available for performance. To be informed as soon as it becomes available in the future, please submit a license application.

Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously handsome new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized butt... but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.

Image: 2014 Off-Broadway Production (Chad Batka)

Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    10w, 14m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Stage & Screen)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Heathers received two Drama Desk nominations (Outstanding Music and Outstanding Actress in a Musical) and two Lucille Lortel nominations (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical and Outstanding Choreography).
Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition
Also Available

Details

Summary

Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously handsome new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized butt... but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.

Brought to you by the award-winning creative team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, Desperate Housewives), Laurence O’Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde) and director Andy Fickman (Reefer Madness, She’s the Man), Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition is a hilarious, heartfelt and homicidal new show based on the greatest teen comedy of all time. 

Are you in, or are you out?

Changes made to the Teen Edition

(1) Removal of curse words as well as onstage smoking, drinking and R-rated sexual scenes (note: there are still PG-13 sexual scenes).
(2) Replace “Blue” with “You're Welcome,” a new song created by the authors that adds Veronica's perspective.
(3) Changes to lyrics and stage directions of “Big Fun” to remove drinking and recreational drug use.
(4) Changes to lyrics and stage directions of “Dead Girl Walking” to remove R-rated sexual scenes.

Please purchase a digital rental perusal to determine if Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition is a good fit for your students.

History
The first performance of Heathers The Musical was September 2010 at Joe’s Pub in New York City, followed by a run at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles in 2013. Heathers returned to New York Off-Broadway in March 2013 at New World Stages under the direction of Andy Fickman and ran through August 4, 2014. 
Performing Groups
VERONICA SAWYER - 17. She burns to be both cool and kind, but doesn’t know yet how to be both at the same time. Fierce sense of right and wrong, keen sense of ironic humor. Thinks she's an old soul, but she's still innocent enough to be blindsided by love/hormones (or shocked by cruelty). Voice: High belting required, up to Ab. Must have dynamic and stylistic range.
RAM SWEENEY - 17, Linebacker. Big, insensitive to the feelings of others, ruled by appetites. Plays Dead Ram & Fantasy Ram. Voice: Strong Baritone, belt to G, some Falsetto useful.
MARTHA DUNNSTOCK - 17. Nicknamed “Martha Dumptruck”, the opposite of hot, confident, or popular. Huge and beautiful soul, optimistic even in the face of rejection. Voice: Strong belt to E or F, wide vocal expression.
KURT KELLY - 17. Quarterback and Captain. Big, chiseled, rude, entitled, cocky. Mean, thinks he’s the brains in the friendship with Ram. Voice: Tenor, strong belt to Ab or A, some Falsetto. NOTE: in certain songs Ram and Kurt can switch choral assignment if, say, Ram sings higher than Kurt.
HEATHER MCNAMARA - 17. Beautiful, innocent, stupid, can be mean on command if Heather Chandler orders it, but actually quite vulnerable and fearful. Voice: Strong belt to Db, D preferred. Soprano for chorus. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Mac and Duke can switch vocal parts as needed.
HEATHER DUKE - 17. Whipping-girl of the 3 Heathers. When she finally becomes Queen Bee she wields power like a bulldozer. Alto for chorus. Voice: Strong belt to C, D preferred.  Alto for chorus. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Duke and Mac can switch vocal parts as needed.
HEATHER CHANDLER - 17. Richest, hottest, most magnetic, cruelest girl in town. Relishes power and wields it like a scalpel – no fear, no patience, no mercy. Also plays Dead Heather Chandler. Voice: Strong belt to F or higher preferred.  Mezzo for chorus. NOTE: In certain choral songs Chandler can switch parts with her other Heathers as needed. 
HEATHER MCNAMARA - 17. Beautiful, innocent, stupid, can be mean on command if Heather Chandler orders it, but actually quite vulnerable and fearful. Voice: Strong belt to Db, D preferred. Soprano for chorus. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Mac and Duke can switch vocal parts as needed.
HEATHER DUKE - 17. Whipping-girl of the 3 Heathers. When she finally becomes Queen Bee she wields power like a bulldozer. Alto for chorus. Voice: Strong belt to C, D preferred.  Alto for chorus. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Duke and Mac can switch vocal parts as needed.
JASON DEAN (JD) - 17. He is darkly charismatic, compelling, attractive, charming on the outside yet very damaged on the inside. Keen smarts and strong inventive comedy. Voice: Strong, confident belt to at least an Ab, A preferable; wide emotional range.

PRINCIPAL GOWAN -Rumpled, burned out, hates conflict.
COACH RIPPER - Stalwart, man’s man; quick to defend his players.
MS. FLEMING - Aging hippie teacher, still yearning for the day the Age of Aquarius reaches Ohio. Hungry for the spotlight, resentful of entitled youth. Aging hippie teacher, still yearning for the day the Age of Aquarius reaches Ohio. Hungry for the spotlight, resentful of entitled youth.
VERONICA’S MOM - Easygoing, distant, yet capable of laying down the law. Voice: Great belt up to C, higher always welcome.
VERONICA’S DAD - Easygoing and distant.
RAM’S DAD - Former football player turned suburban Dad, has never outgrown his glory days in high school. Hates weakness, but capable of soul-searching when tragedy strikes.
KURT’S DAD - Straight-laced, very conservative, also former football player. A simple guy, not book smart, you’d be happy to share a beer with him.
OFFICER MCCORD
OFFICER MILNER
BIG BUD DEAN - JD’s single Dad. Big jolly personality that barely conceals the enormous rage bubbling just below the surface. Quite possibly a serial bomber.

BELEAGUERED GEEK (BOY 1) - A put-upon, bitter geek. Voice: Bari (up to F#) or Tenor (up to A).
PREPPY STUD (BOY 2) - A blowdried 80’s preppy. Voice: Bass (up to E) or Bari (up to G#).
HIPSTER DORK (BOY 3) - Thinks he’s Ducky from ‘Pretty In Pink.’ Voice: Bari (up to F#) or Tenor (up to A).
NEW WAVE GIRL (GIRL 1) - A sullen New Wave girl. Voice: Belt to at least C# (a Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).
STONER CHICK (GIRL 2) - A fuzzyheaded stoner chick. Voice: Belt to at least C# (a Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).
YOUNG REPUBLICANETTE (GIRL 3) - A tennis-playing, uptight Student Council type. Voice: Belt to at least C# (Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).

ENSEMBLE:
Westberg Students (Spooky Kids, Jocks, Cheerleaders, Teen Party Guests, Dead Westerberg Teens)
Westerberg Faculty (Faculty Mourners)
Congregation
  • Time Period 1980s
  • Setting Westerberg High School in Sherwood, a small suburban town in Ohio. 1989.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Stage Combat
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots
    • Mild Adult Themes
    • Suicide

Media

“Very funny. Heathers still cliques!” – New York Post

“A rowdy guilty pleasure.” – The New York Times

“Cue the corn nuts — and much-deserved applause. HOW VERY.” – NY Daily News, Read More

“Ingenious, naughty and very funny. Heathers still cliques.” – New York Post, Read More

Heathers The Musical should score with just about everyone.” – Variety, Read More

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Heathers The Musical: 10 Facts for 10 Years
March 28, 2024

Heathers The Musical: Reimagining J.D. as a Female Role
June 25, 2021

How Heathers: High School Edition is helping difficult discourse on teen issues
September 6, 2018

Beautiful: The Multi-Generational Draw of Heathers The Musical
February 3, 2017

Videos

  • Featurette from Red Phoenix Theatre Co.  youtube thumbnail

    Featurette from Red Phoenix Theatre Co.

  • Songs from the Show (High School Edition) youtube thumbnail

    Songs from the Show (High School Edition)

  • Hear from the Students youtube thumbnail

    Hear from the Students

  • A Director's Perspective: Why Perform Heathers youtube thumbnail

    A Director's Perspective: Why Perform Heathers

  • A Director's Perspective: Approaching your Administration youtube thumbnail

    A Director's Perspective: Approaching your Administration

  • A Director's Perspective: Favorite Moment youtube thumbnail

    A Director's Perspective: Favorite Moment

Show more +

Photos

  • Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition

    Image: 2018 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

  • Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition

    Image: 2014 Off-Broadway Production (Chad Batka)

  • Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition

    Image: 2014 Off-Broadway Production (Chad Batka)

  • Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition

    Image: 2014 Off-Broadway Production (Chad Batka)

Music

Song Samples

1 Beautiful
2. Candy Store
3. Fight for Me
4. Freeze Your Brain
5. Big Fun
6. Dead Girl Walking
7. The Me Inside of Me
8. You're Welcome
10. Our Love Is God
11. My Dead Gay Son
12. Seventeen
13. Shine a Light
14. Lifeboat
15. Hey Yo Westerberg
16. Kindergarten Boyfriend
17. Yo Girl - Meant To Be
18. Dead Girl Walking (Reprise)
19. Finale
Act I
1. “Beautiful (Part 1)” – Veronica, Martha, Ram, Kurt, Gowan, Ripper, Mrs. Fleming & Students
1a. “Beautiful (Part 2)” – Veronica, Chandler, McNamara, Duke, Mrs. Fleming, Gowan, Ripper & Students
1b. It’s Been Three Weeks – Orchestra
2. “Candy Store” – Chandler, McNamara, Duke, Vernoica, Martha & 3 Girls
3. “Fight For Me” – Veronica & Ensemble
3a. Transition to Croquet – Orchestra
3b. “Candy Store Playoff” – Chandler, McNamara & Duke
4. “Freeze Your Brain” – JD
4a. “Ow, Ow, Ow/Transition to Party” – JD
5. “Big Fun” – Ram, Kurt, Chandler, McNamara, Duke, Veronica, Martha & Ensemble
5a. Piñata of Doom – Orchestra
6. “Dead Girl Walking” – Veronica & JD
6a. “Hello, Veronica – Chandler, Veronica, All Students & Faculty
6b. Death at Dawn – Orchestra
6c. “Pain in My Path” – JD
7. “The Me Inside of Me” – Veronica, JD, Chandler, Officer Milner, Officer McCord, Mrs. Fleming, Students & Teachers
7a. The Me Inside of Me Playoff – Orchestra
7b. Transition to Cemetary – Orchestra
8. “You’re Welcome” – Veronica, Ram, Kurt & Male Ensemble
8a. Ghost Heather – Orchestra
9. “Never Shut Up Again” – Duke, Veronica, Ram, Kurt & Ensemble
9a. DJ Gets Beat – Orchestra10. “Our Love is God” – JD, Veronica & Ensemble

Act II

10a. Organ Entr’Acte – Orchestra
10b. “Prom or Hell?” – Veronica
11. “My Dead Gay Son” – Ram’s Dad, Kurt’s Dad & Ensemble
11a. Dead Gay Son Playoff – Orchestra
12. “Seventeen” – Veronica & JD
12a. Martha Suspects – Orchestra
13. “Shine a Light” – Everyone except Martha
13a. Shine a Light Playoff – Orchestra
14. “Lifeboat” – Heather McNamara
14a. “Shine a Light (Reprise)” – Duke & Ensemble
14b. You’re Welcome, McNamara – Orchestra
15. “I Say No” – Veronica, DJ & Ensemble
15a. “Hey Yo Westerburg (Cheerleader Transition)” – Heather McNamara & Students
16. “Kindergarten Boyfriend” – Martha
16a. Transition to Petition – Orchestra
17. “Yo, Girl/Meant To Be Yours” – JD, Heather Chandler, Ram, Kurt & Students
18. “Dead Girl Walking (Reprise)” – Veronica, JD & Students
18a. Back To School – Orchestra
19. “Finale (Seventeen Reprise)”– Veronica, Martha, McNamara, Duke & Ensemble
20. Bows – Company
21. Exit Music – Orchestra
  • Musical Style Pop/Rock, Contemporary Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Medium
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.


    This title is not currently available for performance. To be informed as soon as it becomes available in the future, please submit a license application.

    PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are multiple versions of this title. Before you proceed, please double-check to ensure that you are applying for the version you want. We will not be able to refund rental or shipping fees if you pay for the wrong version. If you’re not sure which version best suits your needs, you may purchase a perusal for each available version.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
30   Student Librettos
1   Production Guide
1   Piano-Conductor (Keyboard) (rehearsal & performance)

1   Reed – Oboe, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone & Baritone Saxophone
1   Trumpet – dbl. Flügelhorn & Piccolo Trumpet. Mutes: Harmon
1   Percussion – Drum Kit & Congas
1   Guitar – Electric, Steel Acoustic & Nylon Acoustic
1   Violin
1   Bass – Electric & Upright

DIGITAL DELIVERY:
Digital Resources – Logo, 2020 Errata, Audition Resources (Audition Form, Sides, Character Descriptions), Production Resources (Guide Vocal Tracks, Sets, Props, Costumes, Music Cues, and Prop Weapons and Stage Combat Info)

Performance tracks (Provided through Right On Cue Services) are included in your licence. Rehearsal tracks are available for an additional fee. Please contact your licensing representative for more information.

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Laurence O'Keefe

Larry was a producer of the original LA and NY productions of Heathers (Drama Desk nom for music). With his wife Nell Benjamin, he won the Olivier Award (London’s Tony) for co-writing Legally Blonde: The Musical, which ran 2 1/2 years on the West End and has toured the UK. B ...
View full profile

Kevin Murphy

Kevin was a producer of the original LA and NY productions of Heathers (Drama Desk nom for music). He also provided lyrics and co-wrote the book for the stage musical Reefer Madness and was a producer on both the original Los Angeles and Off-Broadway productions. Reefer swept ...
View full profile

Now Playing

Related