author: Chris Pence
Voices in My Head: Be More Chill at Rockville Musical Theatre
It’s the classic high school drama: boy meets girl, boy fails to impress girl, boy takes pill containing supercomputer to become cooler, boy wins girl (at a cost.) Rockville Musical Theatre’s Be More Chill incorporates sci-fi, humor, and typical high school drama, to give audiences a new view on how technology and peer pressure mold students into the adults they learn to be during those endless teenage years.
Based on the 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini, Be More Chill follows Jeremy Heere, an outcast high school student struggling to find his place in high school society. His dad is still reeling from a recent divorce, he’s constantly harassed by the school bully, Rich, and he can’t get his crush, Christine, to even give him a second look, even after signing up for the school play, a post-apocalyptic take on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Nothing can go right for the poor kid until Rich suggests a recent technology to make Jeremy “more chill,” a pill containing a Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor (SQUIP). Suddenly, Jeremy finds himself a place in the popular crowd, following the advice of the AI SQUIP. But Jeremy’s popularity comes at a cost, risking his friendships, relationships, and even his sanity as he begins to doubt the voices in his head. With music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, Be More Chill proves that popularity, and technology, is not all it’s cracked up to be.
During its Off-Broadway run, New York Times reviewer Ben Brantley called the show, “the theatrical equivalent of one of those high-pitched dog whistles that only those under 25 can hear,” addressing the fact that the show’s intended audiences are typically within just a few years of the characters’ ages themselves. Director Mercedes Blankenship embraces this, clearly aiming the production toward the younger members of the audience, who stand to gain the most from this “cautionary tale.” Following many high school stereotypes and tropes, Blankenship’s direction turns Be More Chill into an R-rated afterschool special that any high schooler would gladly watch and sing along with.
Choreographer Katie Quinn adds understated charm to the production, using humor and teen awkwardness in order to develop the story. Following the corny love story of the nerdy teen falling for the popular girl, Quinn’s choreography has Christine picked up and carried across the room as though she were floating on a cloud, signaling Jeremy’s attraction. The choreography also skillfully shows the transformation of the characters, as it starts rather gawkily during the students’ everyday lives, and transitions into more modern, streamlined dancing once Jeremy starts to find his place among the cool kids.
Music Director Anton Van De Motter brings the pop-rock musical to life with a realism unrivaled by most polished productions. While some singers don’t exactly hit their notes perfectly, they do give off the charm and inelegance of being a teenager, showing that characterization is more than about being able to hit every note perfectly. That being said, a few standout performers really knocked it out of the park with their vocals, creating a perfect blend of professionalism and reality.
Stage Manager Hayley North does well to manage the small set, with assistance from Danielle Balsamo. Following Scenic Designer Andrew McMichael, the set is simple but remarkably effective. Giving off an 80’s tech feel, the set features a few static pieces, such as a set of lockers and a backdrop, as well as a constantly evolving black box which changes from a bed to a sales counter to a toilet, and several other set pieces. The school standard gray walled backdrop is enhanced by windows and doors bordered in red, green, and blue, calling back to the color scheme of most modern computers. Each door and window also features a scrim, showing the divide between Jeremy’s reality and his mind, and illustrating the increasing hold that the SQUIP has on Jeremy’s thoughts.
Costume Designer Giuliana G Weiss also does well to embrace the authenticity of the show, with costume choices that reflect teenage reality. In an interesting departure from most theatres, Weiss has actors constantly changing outfits, to illustrate the passage of time, instead of always wearing the same costumes, as though they were cartoons. A particular standout of Weiss’ costume design is the shoddy Halloween costumes worn by actors in the second act opening. These were clearly made at the last second, by teenagers who were more concerned about getting to the party and drinking rather than showing off their garb for the others. Nothing flashy, because nothing about high school is as flashy as the stage would usually portray, Weiss’ designs excel in their genuine nature.
Handing the lighting design, Jake Gunter also incorporates the RGB color scheme, using strong, full lighting cues to signify danger, isolation, and frustration in the character’s lives. Gunter also uses flurries of lighter colors to show the confusion and disorientation that comes with the operation of the SQUIP. Sound Designer Connor Lugo-Harris adds to the symbolism with sound effects that range from older computer sounds to more modern video game clips. Together, Gunter and Lugo-Harris mold the sci-fi aspects of the show into the everyday lives of the students.
The members of the orchestra handle the pop-rock score with efficiency, allowing the singers to command the scene rather than the music itself. The small but mighty orchestra features Rachel Bradley and Brian Berdan on keys, Robert Potter on guitar, AJ Potvin on bass, and Kevin Uleck on drums.
The show’s protagonist, Jeremy (Elijah Beeler), is the typical high school nerd, pining for the popular girl, playing video games with his best friend Michael, and pining to find his place in the cutthroat jungle of high school society. Beeler’s performance paints Jeremy as friendly and relatable, even when he makes poor choices when it comes to relationships with friends and family. While Beeler’s vocals were occasionally hard to hear, his dedication to the character is unwavering, allowing his voice to crack and shift in much the way that a high schoolers would. Rather than following the “Nutty Professor” trope, Beeler opts for a smoother, more understandable transition from nerdy outcast to popular kid, proving that change takes time and effort, even with the help of a supercomputer pill.
Performing the work of a Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor may sound like demanding work, but Jarod Glou makes it look easy. Dressed as a Matrix-era Keanu Reeves, Glou makes the HAL 9000 look like Rosie the Robot. Cool to a fault, the SQUIP gives the audience a sense of unease from the start, manipulating Jeremy’s thoughts and actions like a demented but chill puppeteer. This is enhanced with during the title number, with Glou’s slick vocals and robotic, “Vogue” -like dancing. Like any kind of peer pressure, Glou’s SQUIP is quick to give advice, and even quicker to avoid the blame when it all goes wrong. He presents a formidable yet charismatic foe, representing the dangers of drug use, misuse of technology, and putting too much worth into caring about what society thinks of you.
Jeremy’s best friend Michael (Charlie Williams) is the quintessential nerdy best friend. A collector, gamer, and Bob Marley enthusiast, Willaims shows Michael as that one friend that we know isn’t going to win prom king, but we don’t care. His personality and physicality emit a Steve Urkel quality, lovable and relevant. From his dorky awkward dancing to his showstopping vocals during “Michael in the Bathroom,” Willaims is the friend we’d all like to have, and all aim to be.
A high school epic would be nothing without the seemingly unattainable love interest, and Maggie Rocha’s Christine is nothing short of breathtaking. Rocha plays Christine as the everywoman, a lovely young woman whose interest in theatre and friendship with Jeremy help her to avoid the insecurities that every teen struggles with. Her sweet vocals and pleasant demeanor leave no question as to why Jeremy can’t take his eyes off her, and would risk everything just to get her attention, even if he didn’t really need to show off in the first place.
Jake (Nikolas Cummings), Jeremy’s main competition for Christine’s affection, is the classic high school jock. Clad in his letterman jacket and a dopey smile, Cummings plays Jake as the footballer that’s taken one too many shots to the head. Lovable in that kind of oafish way, Jake frequently misunderstands others, leading to comical mishaps that Cummings runs in like touchdowns. A favorite moment was at the Halloween party, when Christine shows up dressed as a princess, expecting Jake to show up as a prince. Jake mistakes her intent, and shows up in a frilly shirt and purple overcoat, declaring “I am Prince!” Superb timing and funny characterization make Cummings a great asset to the cast.
In the world of teen drama, there are usually two types of bullies: the gruff and intimidating one, ala Biff (Back to the Future), and the funny, kinda dopey one who still hangs with the main group despite his actions, like Roger (Doug) or Binky (Arthur). Jake C. Schwartz plays school bully Rich as the latter. His quick one-liners and cocky strut show that Rich is just showing off for his classmates, obviously trying to draw attention from his personal woes. It’s Rich’s advice that turns Jeremy to the SQUIP in the first place, and the two become friends following an exchange when Jeremy, at the advice of the SQUIP, reveals to Rich that he too has family issues. Rich’s story turns darker, as he becomes Jeremy’s warning of the power that the SQUIP has over him. An ever-evolving character, Schwartz transitions into Rich’s various personalities with ease, and never misses an opportunity to grab a laugh, even at the toughest moments.
Margot Cohen’s Chloe is the “mean girl” of the high school, the type that would chastise someone for forgetting to wear pink on the designated day, and would respond with “as if” to practically any request made of her. She’s confident, sassy, and is always ready to stand in the proverbial spotlight. Cohen and Jordyn Nicole (Brooke) make up the perfect best friends, offering Jeremy “Do You Wanna Ride,” their sultry vocals and confident strut, telling Jeremy that these girls ain’t nothing to be messed with. Nicole’s Brooke is tired of being in Chloe’s shadow, and is quick to react when she finds out that Jeremy’s advances toward her are just an attempt to make Christine jealous. Naturally, Chloe supports Brooke, taking just a second to show how much she really cares, before returning to her sassy self and telling Jeremy off. Cohen and Nicole artfully paint Chloe and Brooke as an inseparable pair who would do almost anything for each other, even if it means sharing the spotlight for a second or two.
The third member of the school’s gossipy trio is Jenna (Jordan Neave). Still a bit of an outcast, Jenna gains Chloe and Brooke’s ears when she starts dishing out the dirt on Rich’s mishap following the Halloween party. Neave positions Jenna effortlessly into the clique, offering little input and much uncertainty as she works her way into the other girls’ hearts, then blazing onto the scene once she has the attention. Her powerful vocals during the second act bring Jenna to the forefront, no longer the wallflower she was early on.
Rounding out the cast, playing triple duty, is Steven Magenheim. Magenheim spends a great deal of the show in his boxers, playing the newly divorced Mr. Heere, Jeremy’s father. Uncertainty and regret seep through Magenheim’s father character, who does his best to put on a good front for Jeremy, while still mourning the loss of his marriage. He’s an excellent ailing dad who can’t help but constantly embarrass his son. When Jeremy finally calls his father out, Heere and Michael join forces to save the day, sharing one of the most memorable numbers in the show in which they decide it’s time to put on pants, both literally and figuratively. Magenheim also tackles the role of Mr. Reyes, the overachieving theatre director, whose ambitions push him past Shakespeare into A Midsummer Nightmare (About Zombies), a work of his own that he thinks will rival its source material. Magenheim’s quirky director caricature is quick to catch giggles, especially when he steps into Jeremy’s role in the play, instead of searching for the preoccupied Jeremy. Jeremy’s SQUIP dealer, the Scary Stockboy who works at Payless Shoesource, is a one-scene wonder of Magenheim’s, providing a great deal of foreshadowing and exposition, while also showing the grouchier side of retail and customer service.
A witty sci-fi look into the life of teenagers, Rockville Musical Theatre’s Be More Chil” is sure to remind its audiences to be themselves, even if it’s not the popular thing to do. Be More Chill runs February 7th through February 23rd at Rockville Musical Theatre. Please be aware that, though the show is aimed at younger audiences, it still contains adult language and situations.
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission
Be More Chill plays through February 23rd 2025 with Rockville Musical Theatre at the Arts Barn— 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg, MD. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 301-258-6394 or in advance online.
