Monday, March 11, 2019
Review: BE MORE CHILL
BE MORE CHILL
BMC opens with great energy, a cast that is diverse, and music that is deceptively sophisticated. And it maintains that energy throughout, even building as it reaches the set-pieces of the climax.
Like anything really well done, it seems simple, like any kid could do it. But look closely and it's skillfully directed, choreographed, written (book, lyrics and music) and expertly acted and sung. Every element has been carefully tweaked. It's satirical and genuine, sci-fi-ish and retro, serious and nonsensically escapist.
The play is about high school kids in New Jersey.
It is very funny. It's not just for kids: I was among the oldest in the audience and I laughed more than I do for most overt "comedies". It even has some sly throw-away comments on current issues in social media networking that go beyond the basic story. The songs (music and lyrics) are simultaneously happy and sad, banal in subject matter and profound in emotion. The lyrics are unusually important in telling the story and, happily (and somewhat unusually), both the lyrics and the unsung words were so completely well articulated that everything was clear.
The composer and lyricist, Joe Iconis, is well known in indie theater circles. He will be doing a cabaret show at FEINSTEIN'S / 54 BELOW in April and May. This is his first Broadway show. GL Joe!
After a preview...
a crowd waiting for the cast at the stage door
Photo by Eric Roffman, QPORIT
Photo by Eric Roffman, QPORIT
BE MORE CHILL
Joe Iconis - Music and lyrics
Joe Tracz - Book
Stephen Brackett - Director
Chase Brock - Choreography
Emily Marshall - Music direction and vocal arrangements
Charlie Rosen - Music supervision and orchestrations
Ned Vizzini - Original source novel
Gerald Goehring - Lead producer
Michael F Mitri - Producer
Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Producer
Will Roland - Jeremy Heere
George Salazar - Michael Mell
Stephanie Hsu - Christine Canigula
Jason Tam - The Squip
Jason Sweettooth Williams - Mr Heere/Mr Reyes/Scary Stockboy
Britton Smith - Jake Dillinger
Katlyn Carlson - Chloe Valentine
Lauren Marcus - Brooke Lohst
Gerard Canonico - Rich Goranski
Tiffany Mann - Jenna Rolan
LINKS
BE MORE CHILL
http://bemorechillmusical.com/
(FYI - This site is not broken. It's doing that on purpose!)
JOE ICONIS - HOME PAGE
https://mrjoeiconis.com/
JOE ICONIS & FAMILY - AT FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW
https://mrjoeiconis.com/events/2019/4/22/joe-iconis-amp-family
Labels: BE MORE CHILL, broadway, George Salazar, Joe Iconis, Stephanie Hsu, Will Roland
