By Eric Smith
Splashed across the backdrop of the silver screen or acted out to the wandering eyes of a live audience, theatrical characters not only entertain, but often allow audiences to explore, compare, contrast and relate to situations past, present and future.
For their fall production, Leawood Stage Company is rolling out their rendition of the novel-inspired Broadway musical “Be More Chill” as it follows main character Jeremy Heere and his high school struggles with romance and trying to fit into a world that he feels he largely doesn’t.
It’s a story that Carrigan Hope, a member of the board of directors for Leawood Stage Company as well as playing Christine Claigula in the production, finds relatable.
“I feel like I am Christine at times…always doing theater, having fun,” Hope said. “But I think there’s definitely a character in the show that anyone can relate to.”
The crux of Be More Chill, is the unique way Jeremy seeks a resolution to his awkward, shy, hesitant nature – a pill he takes that uploads an AI named The Squip into his brain as a form of co-pilot, helping to guide Jeremy through the awkwardness of daily high school life.
One such precarious position forms between Jeremy, Christine and Brooke Lohst, one of the most popular girls in school and Jeremy’s secret crush. It’s an interesting ‘what would you do?’ moment for audiences.
Combining an eclectic cast and unique narrative perspective, Be More Chill also brings a musical score that equally, uniquely sets the stage for a familiar story told very differently.
“I think the biggest thing is that they use the music to get the story across and transition the plot faster,” Hope said. “I would say (the music is) New-Age Broadway Pops, there’s some Rock. A little bit of techno.”
But at its core, what Be More Chill does is open the door to a conversation about the mental hurdles teens face in their formative years that go beyond cliques, grades, parties, young love and final exam scores.
“(Movies like) Mean Girls, all these shows have the typical high school struggles, but they’re not focusing on the same issues,” Hope said. “You have the bullies or the cool kids, but this takes on the new challenge of Jeremy’s mannerisms and aspects of different social awarenesses throughout the show that other shows cannot have.”
As the stigma around mental health concerns and mental illness fades, increased awareness of conditions such as general anxiety disorders or conditions along the autism spectrum have become topics of improved understanding.
With opening night set for Oct. 24 and running through Nov. 2, Be More Chill marks a bit of a tone shift for the Leawood Stage Company. Hope said the fall production is normally one that carries more of a message with it as the school year is in full-swing and the holidays begin to faintly echo through the air.
Julia Masterson’s role in the play isn’t a role with any lines. She is one of the support dancers and singers further bringing the production to life. But just because her role doesn’t speak in the form of dialogue, doesn’t mean that the production speaks any less to her.
“I really felt very boxed in growing up,” Julia Masterson, one of the supporting singers and dancers in the show, said. “If you step outside the box, you’re going to be forced back into it right? … My mind is not going to stay in this box. It’s not who I am, it’s not what I want.
“I think the cool thing about this musical is that it has so many different characters who are all just very unique people.”
Learn more at leawoodstageco.org.
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