REVIEW: Be More Chill Musical

Be More Chill

What if popularity came in a pill? Would you take it, no questions asked? In Be More Chill, achieving that elusive “perfect life” in high school is now possible thanks to a mysterious new technology. What could possibly go wrong? This the problem faced by nerdy and unpopular Jeremy Heere (perfectly cast Will Roland).  He is in love with Christine, the ultimate theater geek who has only eyes for poor little rich boy Jake but he wants to be popular so she will “see” him and like him.

 

Jeremy’s  life changes when he is offered a computerized pill called a “Squip.” What he doesn’t know is that the “Squib” rewires his persona so he can run with the cool kids at school.  The Squib is played by Jason Tam who appears to Jeremy looking like Keanu Reeves in “The Matrix”. Tam’s performance and cool “Matrix themed” wardrobe add to his overwhelming influence over Jeremy.

There is a lot to like about Be More Chill from the diverse cast to strong performances including standouts Stephanie Hsu as Christine and George Salazar (Michael as the always be there best friend and of course Will Roland as Jeremy. I especially liked how Jeremy went from nerdily dressed geeky Jeremy to cool, hiply dressed Jeremy. A very subtle way to show his transformation from the unpopular kid to one of the in-crowd. It goes without saying that the music is what drives the show. Did I mention I don’t really like musicals but really liked the songs and music? And I bet your teen will too.

The show is a thrill ride of a show incorporating elements of sci-fi (I mentioned the Keanu Reeves Matrix Squib) that makes the show stand out.

That all said, I do think the show is more high school “age” show. I did see younger kids in the audience. I spoke to a kid sitting next to me who was in the sixth grade. He loved the show because he loved music. His mom told me all the inappropriate references went over his head so be forewarned if you do have younger middle school kids. You know your child more than me so the more inappropriate sexual and drug references may go over their head as well.

Your teen (and you) will be singing along with the cast of Be More Chill. #BeMoreChill @Bemorechillmusical Share on X

I definitely recommend the show for Teens. By the way, your teen may already know the music and show. Apparently, the music has been quite the thing for a while since there were a few songs that the predominantly teen audience gave a lot of applause love for.

Be More Chill for tickets. A limited number of Squip Zone tickets (including a seat in the first two rows of the theatre and one limited edition collector’s item created monthly and exclusively for Squip Zone ticket holders) are available at each performance.

Be More Chill, Broadway’s new musical sensation, is now playing at the Lyceum Theatre (149 W. 45th Street)

Disclosure: NYC Single Mom received tickets to facilitate this review. Opinions are 100% my own. Follow Be More Chill on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. #BeMoreChill