Be More Chill is a super-charged teen comedy with a sci-fi twist. A nerdy guy yearns for a special girl and gets hold of a “pill” that promises to help him get the girl of his dreams. Just because the so-called pill is a secret micro supercomputer chip that gets inside the guy’s head and has devious intentions of its own, why not swallow what’s called “The Squip” and see what happens. What could go wrong, right? Everything! Along with mega-fun for everyone along the way.
Jeremy starts off in full loser mode, clumsy, the butt of jokes, totally disregarded and bullied. Like Charlie Brown (and a little redhead girl), Jeremy is totally smitten by Christine, whose very name evokes old-fashioned schmaltzy intro music. Jeremy would do anything to change his life, which continues to spiral and sink. His home life doesn’t help with the emotional stagnation of his dad, who has sunk into functional depression with his wife’s betrayal and abandonment. Dad is alert but won’t put on clothes, preferring to stay in a bathrobe all day. As such, Jeremy is a prime candidate for a miracle, even a brain-altering solution for a makeover to help him “chill,” instead of just be “cool” — a distinction that’s clarified nicely in the script.
The casting is musical theater heaven with Elijah Beeler, as Jeremy, who has the mannerisms and movements to a T as he transitions from nerd to the coolest guy around. His voice handles the unbelievably tough range of passionate tenor to a precious light falsetto that cackles with adolescent charm.
Also at the top of his game is Jarod Glou as The Squip, the supercharged micro-computer processor that, once ingested as a pill, manifests as a physical persona who must be seen to be believed. Appearing only behind the screen in the first half, he lets loose in the second act with full-bodied mayhem wreaking havoc and potential worldwide treachery. Glou strides with maniacal intention and maneuvers his charges with a thriller mystique and wicked vocal trill that made several of us holler our appreciation.
Maggie Rocha’s Christine is fearless with totally uninhibited outbursts and can go somber quiet in a beat. Charlie Willams as best buddy Michael is a treasure and delivers the signature “Michael in the Bathroom” with incredible force. The other cast members portray their characters with unabashed enthusiasm and verve, with a special nod to Jordan Neave’s energetic Jenna and rafter-grazing vocals. Steven Magenheim’s performance depth switches from his role as Jeremy’s dad, Mr. Heree, who sympathetically tries to function through his depression, to the overzealous theater director with quirky views about high school drama class. The entire ensemble is off the charts fun to watch.
Mercedes Blankenship’s direction kept the action flowing in sync with Katie Quinn’s bouncy choreography, assuring a fun vibe throughout the story. The five-piece band/orchestra unobtrusively tucked behind the back wall rocked the house with an energetic beat, terrific tone, and perfect volume. Costumes by Giuliana/G Weiss made the high school teen punk attire look easy. Scenic designer Andrew McMichael worked wonders with a basic flat back wall with translucent scrim screens for doors and windows, then simple box formations could be stacked and/or layered to function as a podium or laid out as a bed. Versatility was the key. Sound design by Connor Lugo-Harris included fun phone and digital computer tones as well as cackling flames and firetrucks from a perilously close house fire. Special kudos go to extraordinary lighting by Jake Gunter with colors that turned on a dime, spotlighting a sign-up sheet on the wall, and provided a backlight to imagine a stage in the back of the set. One scene lit cloaked performers in such penetrating emerald green to make you recall a popular movie showing around town.
Be More Chill was a Broadway hit in 2014 and has been a media sensation ever since. The songs are filled with messages of early longing, yearning to belong, and temptations to accept easy ways out. With its eerie warning about relying on technology to save the day, it is universal, ageless, and timeless. This first-rate production is full-throttle musical theater fun at its finest and shouldn’t be missed.
Running Time: Approximately two and a half hours with a 15-minute intermission.
Be More Chill plays through February 23, 2025 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm), presented by Rockville Musical Theatre, performing at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD. For tickets ($25; $23 for students ages 15–21; $16 for youth 14 & younger), call 301-258-6394 or go online. Online ticket sales end two hours prior to the performance. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Arts Barn box office or by contacting the Arts Barn.
COVID Safety: Masks optional.
Be More Chill
Music & Lyrics by Joe Iconis
Book by Joe Tracz
Based on the Novel by Ned Vizzini
THE CAST
Jeremy Heere: ELIJAH BEELER+
The Squip: JAROD GLOU
Christine Canigula: MAGGIE ROCHA*^
Michael Mell: CHARLIE WILLIAMS
Rich Goranski: JAKE C. SCHWARTZ
Chloe Valentine: MARGOT COHEN+
Brooke Lohst: JORDYN NICOLE*
Jake Dillinger: NICKOLAS CUMMINGS
Jenna Rolan: JORDAN NEAVE
Mr. Heere: STEVEN MAGENHEIM
CAPTAIN SYMBOL KEY
Dance Captains*, Fight Captain^, Music Captains+
PRODUCTION STAFF
Producer: Jacqueline Williams Rocco
Director: Mercedes Blankenship
Choreographer: Katie Quinn
Music Director: Anton Van De Motter
Stage Manager: Hayley North
Fight & Intimacy Director: Kiefer Cure
Asst. Stage Manager: Danielle Balsamo
Scenic Designer: Andrew McMichael
Costume Designer: Giuliana/G Weiss
Lighting Designer: Jake Gunter
Sound Designer: Connor Lugo-Harris
Properties Designer: Cathy Kieserman
Assist. Properties Designer: Christal Taylor
Lead Carpenter: Bill Rogers
Lead Painter: Bridget Egan
Dialect Coach: Elijah Beeler
Rehearsal Pianists: Daniella Ignacio, Andy Mauer, Virginia Moses
Backstage Crew: Tianna Leon, John Rocco
Build Crew: Jackie Rogers, Kathie L. Rogers, Kathie M. Rogers, Steven Brown
ORCHESTRA
Keys 1: Rachel Bradley
Keys 2: Brian Berdan
Guitar: Robert Potter
Bass: AJ Potvin
Drums: Kevin Uleck
