Cappies review: Colonel By Secondary School presents Heathers: The Musical

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Show #11: Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition)

Where: Colonel By Secondary School

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Director: Greg Crossett

Fabiha Adiba, Critic
Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School

Colourful costumes, huge dance numbers, and a flashback into the 80s? Dang, dang, diggety-dang! Colonel By Secondary School brought a night of “big fun” in their energetic and captivating take on the cult-classic film, Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition).

The illustrious movie was originally released in 1988 and later performed Off-Broadway in 2014. The dark comedy tells the story of Veronica Sawyer, a seventeen-year-old girl who longs to be like the most popular and elite clique at her school: the Heathers. Trouble brews when she and her new boyfriend accidentally kill the top-dog of the school hierarchy, Heather Chandler, and Veronica must figure out how to stop the entire situation from going too far.

Handling heavy topics such as suicide and bullying with an important message in mind, the cast and crew cooperated on all aspects to create a memorable show. Each second was filled with perfectly timed lights and music that emphasized the powerful vocals of the actors onstage.

The extensive range and physicality displayed by Petra Ginther brought together the challenging role of Veronica Sawyer. She was able to switch from intense dance numbers to high belts in a matter of seconds, all while shifting her character from the awkward, giggling teenager seen at the beginning to a self-assured leader in the final number “Finale (Seventeen Reprise)”. Alongside her as the damaged J.D., Tip Finless used subtle yet effective mannerisms to create a believable character. He highlighted J.D.’s internal struggle building up to its heartbreaking apex during his last song “I Am Damaged”, where he showcased his versatile voice through his well-supported belting and sustained notes.

Providing some much-needed comedic relief, Kurt and Ram, portrayed by Yousif Hassan and Steven Fulton, worked in tandem to maintain impeccable stage presence throughout the show. They seemed to have an endless reservoir of energy as they constantly bounced on each other and fist-bumped to complete the hilarious jock image that is so well recognizable. Rianna Persaud in the brazen role of Heather Duke naturally transitioned into her temporary role of queen bee after Heather Chandler (Demi Boutzouvis) was killed. She changed her entire characterization thereafter due to her new leadership position, and she guided the rest of the story along with excellent comedic timing.

The Big Fun Orchestra played beautifully throughout the entire show. Performing at 8 feet up is no easy task, but they all worked as a unit to fill the stage with dynamic music that provided a base for all the musical numbers and eased the transitions between each scene. Although a little loud at times, they were able to take non-verbal cues from each other and the actors onstage to quickly adjust accordingly. As the head of lights, Isaac Lee timed all his cues to a tee and shifted the atmosphere of many scenes. From adding flashing colours during the animated “Big Fun” to inserting a single, lonely spotlight on Heather McNamara (Bella Reyes) during her lament “Lifeboat”, the lighting elevated the mood of the entire musical.

Colonel By Secondary School’s outstanding rendition of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) was a vibrant and thoroughly planned out show that left a resounding reminder about how “beautiful” we can all be.

Liam Greig, Critic
Philemon Wright High School

Timid geeks, pumped-up jocks, preppy studs and hipster dorks were just a handful of the diverse array of personalities brought to life by the gifted cast and crew of Colonel By Secondary School in their riveting rendition of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition). Though sombre in subject matter, the material was handled expertly by the students, while preserving fabulous energy and spirit from start to finish.

Based on the 1989 cult classic starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, this darkly comedic rock musical follows the juvenile toils of outsider Veronica Sawyer, who climbs the high school hierarchy and joins the malicious trio of the elite Heathers. When the devilishly good-looking new student Jason “J.D.” Dean plays on her heartstrings, Veronica realizes there lies more in the character of a human being than what their exterior might reveal.

Every single member of Colonel By Secondary School’s 34-person cast remained engaged, sharp and in character throughout the entire show, no matter the task at hand. Whether exhibiting impressive synchronized dance moves or pitch-perfect harmonies, the multi-faceted ensemble excelled at maintaining an electric energy that resonated loud and clear with viewers. Everyone possessed their own stylized and eclectic persona, rendering every scene authentic, dynamic and rich in detail.

Petra Ginther dominated the stage as Veronica Sawyer with her commanding physicality and powerful vocals. By establishing subtle mannerisms such as a dorky laugh and even putting herself out of time during certain choreography, Ginther was able to smoothly evolve into a more confident version of herself by controlling her voice and volume to effectively portray her character’s development. Shared between Ginther and Tip Finless as J.D., these co-stars kept up a compelling and raw relationship that shifted, as did their characters’ identities. Finless delivered an astounding performance by infusing mystery and insanity in every furrowed brow and belt of his bold voice, and he illustrated his character’s gradual descent into madness with poise.

Entertaining ensembles were abundant in Colonel By Secondary School’s cast. The Heathers: Chandler, Duke and McNamara, played by Demi Boutzouvis, Rianna Persaud and Bella Reyes respectively, consistently showed coherence by strutting in frightening unison or shooting identical dramatic glares, further enforcing their power and ruthlessness. With exuberant physicality and impeccable comedic timing, Steven Fulton as Ram Sweeney and Yousif Hassan as Kurt Kelly always managed to uphold strong stage presence, even when the focus of the scene wasn’t on them. Their delightful chemistry and doltish facial expressions were especially highlighted in the song “You’re Welcome”.

From floor to ceiling, the PROPerties of Westerberg High team utilized every space available to skilfully transport audience members to adolescent life in the late 1980s. The careful attention to details like offensive graffiti on lockers and miscellaneous posters on the bulletin board (all hand-painted) significantly elevated the credibility of Westerberg High, and the design of certain set elements that provided various perspectives from different seats in the audience prompted a curious and exciting viewing experience. Co-headed by Sarah Lopes Sadafi and Bethany Cummings, the talented choreography team, had the challenge of organizing and synchronizing a large cast on a relatively smaller stage, but they made it seem like an easy feat. From upbeat disco to realistic slow motion, moves were always era-appropriate and crisp, notably in such songs as “Big Fun” and “My Dead Gay Son”.

Every cast and crewmember of Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) should feel immensely proud of their extraordinary achievements. Through each individual’s tremendous dedication and passion, this proficient group of students exemplified unmatched unity and untamed energy, which made for a truly memorable performance.

Thu Pham, Critic
All Saints High School

Being seventeen is no easy task. Aside from stacks of homework and assignment deadlines, teenagers also stress about their social status and peer pressure. When suddenly one is the victim of discrimination, what should one choose: violence to achieve peace or compassion and forgiveness? In their beautiful rendition of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition), Colonel By Secondary School tackled these sensitive subjects of bullying, suicide and self-acceptance.

With music, lyrics and books by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) is a dark comedy musical based on a 1988 movie written by Daniel Waters. The show follows Veronica Sawyer’s turbulent last year of high school. Wanting to be on top of the Westerberg High School’s social hierarchy, Veronica betrays her childhood friend and joins the popular trio of Heathers. However, troubles ensue as she helplessly falls in love with the rebellious new kid, Jason “J.D.” Dean, who surreptitiously steers her into a downward spiral of revenge and murder.

Petra Ginther’s zestful performance brought authenticity to the strong-spirited Veronica. She relentlessly captured Veronica’s wide range of emotions, from awkward chuckles and love-struck gazes at J.D. to pained expressions and ferocious motion at the deceased Heather. During the passionate “Dead Girl Walking”, Ginther showcased her impressive vocal ability with belted notes while displaying Veronica’s determination and lust for her boyfriend. As Veronica’s crazed lover, Tip Finless convincingly embodied J.D.’s anger at the inequality in society. His characterization heightened during “Meant to Be Yours”, where Finless delivered the solo with an aggressive demeanour while staying in key. The couple’s compelling chemistry and well-blended harmonization during duets, such as “Our Love Is God”, allowed for a touching romantic story.

As the leader of the Heathers trio, Heather Chandler, Demi Boutzouvis was captivating with her menacing grins and seductive strides. Rianna Persaud and Bella Reyes played Heather Duke and Heather McNamara respectively, with brimming arrogance seen through their eye-rolls, hair-flips and confident poses. In the roles of the bawdy jocks obsessing over sexual innuendos, Steven Fulton as Ram Sweeney and Yousif Hassan as Kurt Kelly brought hilarity with their boundless energy and great physicality.

Opposite to the devilish bullies was Alexia Pantieras as the naive Martha Dunnstock. Playing Veronica’s kind-hearted childhood friend, Pantieras maintained an innocent and cheerful aura throughout the show, even when performing the tear-jerking “Kindergarten Boyfriend”, with splendid vibrato.

The choreography, done by Bethany Cummings and Sarah Lopes Sadafi, provided ceaseless entertainment with a myriad of movements from each individual on stage, whether it was during the dramatic slow-motion fights or the energetic party during “Big Fun”. Designed and directed by Isaac Lee, the lightning effects successfully enhanced the show’s realism through impeccable timing, such as a swift red flash for the gunshot or bright glares of light followed by complete darkness for the bomb explosion. Despite occasionally overshadowing the actors’ voices, Big Fun Orchestra efficiently accompanied the cast with commendable response to vocal cues and flexibility in tempo adjustment. Their fluid play-offs ending in smooth decrescendos also facilitated seamless set changes between scenes.

Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) was both deliriously vibrant and strikingly stirring. With immense talent from cast and crew, they succeeded in emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself and proving that empathy should triumph hatred.

Bernice Cheung, Critic
All Saints High School

Who knew the colour of one’s scrunchie could determine their social standing? This could seem quite peculiar to most, but this is all too common in the fictional Westerberg High. At Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition), the cast and crew explored the themes of loss, betrayal, and love with skill and talent, discovering how “life can be beautiful”.

The 1988 cult-classic film written by Daniel Waters, Heathers, was adapted for the stage in 2010 by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, bringing musical numbers to the edgy teen-drama. Heathers: The Musical follows the story of Veronica Sawyer, a defiant senior at Westerberg High, and her qualms with high school society, especially the elite trio called the Heathers. After meeting the mysterious outsider Jason “J.D.” Dean, the pair quickly falls in love and rebel against teenage popularity, and it is not until things get too deadly that Veronica begins to find her true self.

The cast of Colonel By’s Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) accurately embodied their roles as upbeat high schoolers. To heighten dramatic monologues, the ensemble used tableaux effectively, freezing in difficult positions with exaggerated facial expressions for long periods of time. During the song “Big Fun”, the cast exuded infectious energy and disco-danced like it was the 80s once again.

Petra Ginther played the clever and witty Veronica Sawyer skilfully, conveying her character’s flurry of emotions through facial expressions and dynamic motions. She captured Veronica’s excitement when adorning her iconic blue vest for the first time, bouncing across the stage, her voice never faltering during her wild fist bumps. Ginther’s strong and passionate vocals were prominent in “Dead Girl Walking” as she belted out difficult riffs with ease. Her wide vocal range was evident throughout her entire performance, expressing Veronica’s raw heartbreak with her fervid voice. Whether sulking in corners or setting off explosions, Tip Finless acted as the broody Jason Dean effortlessly, with calculated movements and soft tones that resembled the psychopathic behaviour of his character. He showcased his powerful vocals during “Meant to Be Yours”, remaining on key during his crazed plea for forgiveness.

In the power-hungry role of Heather Chandler was Demi Boutzouvis, where she commanded both her subordinates and the stage. She flawlessly encapsulated the malicious and spiteful attitude of Heather Chandler, as she spat insults with intensity to Veronica’s face. Every step Boutzouvis took was followed by a sassy sway of the hip, accompanied by cunning smirks that expressed her character’s ill intentions. Resident jock, Ram Sweeney, was characterized by Steven Fulton’s rambunctious physicality, his high energy bringing out the goofy nature of the quarter backer. Fulton’s over the top hip thrusting was paired with sexual innuendos, amplifying the excitement of the hollow-headed teenage boy.

Impressive use of lighting was carried out by Isaac Lee, creatively adding authenticity and interest to the set. Lights were timed accurately, with red and blue lights flashing to resemble a police car’s arrival, spotlights to indicate Veronica’s inner monologues, and bright glares used to mimic the explosion of a bomb. Live music performed by Big Fun Orchestra accompanied the cast with liveliness, although occasionally overpowering the main vocalists. They skilfully adapted and riffed off what was happening on stage, while remaining coordinated and truthful to the original score.

The trials and tribulations of being a teenager were characterized in Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) with expertise and finesse; from both the cast members and production crew. Although the original storyline dates back to the 80s, one lesson remains: to stay true to one’s authentic self.

Cameron Boese, Critic
Merivale High School

As the spotlight sprang to life to illuminate Veronica Sawyer in the centre of the stage, it was as if the clock had been turned all the way back to 1989, the stage transforming into the centre of Westerburg High. Then as Veronica began to sing, the clock once again began to tick forward, and so began Colonel By Secondary School’s performance of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition).

Heathers: The Musical, written by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, is an adaptation of the 1989 film by Daniel Waters. The musical opened on Off-Broadway in 2014. Heathers: The Musical is a dark comedy rock musical following Veronica Sawyer as she is swept up from the ranks of the social outcasts to be part of a prestigious clique: the Heathers. However, she soon realizes the cruelty of her new friends and falls in love with the new kid, Jason “J.D.” Dean, leading her down a path riddled with fibs, suicides, and even murder.

The energy of all of the performers was outstanding in this production and was consistent among all of the performers. The cast worked extremely well together and demonstrated great chemistry through the way they played off of each other to build emotion. Every scene featured performances that maintained a high level of vibrancy. The cast’s ability to depict complex emotions while maintaining a comedic tone made for a layered experience built on the contrast between the light-hearted and the sinister.

Petra Ginther and Tip Finless both portrayed their roles with expertise, and as a duo they were altogether magnetic. Ginther as Veronica displayed tactful character progression, modifying her physicality and line delivery as the production progressed. Finless displayed a subtle physicality that later morphed into an explosive and intense performance. Together, their chemistry was hypnotic; they contrasted and mirrored each other with impactful execution, such as in their duet, “Our Love is God”. They depicted the intensity of the characters’ love without inhibitions, and every part of their performance pushed their relationship further while the shadow of Veronica’s doubt silhouetted their passion.

The landscape of Westerberg High’s social hierarchy contained many iconic groups, including the jock duo Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly, played by Steven Fulton and Yousif Hassan respectively. Fulton and Hassan had a commanding on-stage presence, using exaggerated movements combined with their comedic line delivery to create an instantly recognizable identity for themselves. Their comedic relief and light-hearted energy added even more depth to the darker topics in the musical. Moreover, another integral group in the fabric of Westerberg High’s social setting is the Heathers. They effectively characterized themselves through their ways of moving, acting as a group while also containing three distinct personalities, their identities cleverly separated through tone of voice and body language.

The atmosphere of this production was perfectly captured through the creative use of lighting, carving out a world and then bringing it to life. The lighting was constantly changing to not only accompany the mood but also define it. Perfectly synchronized with the orchestra, non-stop lighting changes and details gave the stage a character of its own and personified the emotions of the characters upon it. Through the attention given to lighting, not one moment was allowed to fall flat.

As Colonel By’s performance of Heathers: The Musical drew to a close, a tangle of emotions remained. With the final song, “Seventeen Reprise”, Colonel By’s production of Heathers: The Musical (High School Edition) ended with a bittersweet remembrance of the events that took place. With a mix of mourning and celebration hanging in the air, the stage faded back into the present.

About the reviews:
The production at Colonel By Secondary School was reviewed by 40 critics representing 8 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Electra Hatzopoulos of A.Y. Jackson Secondary School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Brett Walker of St. Pius X High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

Next review: Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School’s Production of Clue: On Stage (High School Edition)

 About the Cappies:

The Citizen and 25 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.-based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Three schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The four winners of the lead acting categories will receive a bursary provided by the international law firm Gowling WLG Canada LLP. Follow the Cappies on Twitter @OttawaCappies.