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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Be More Chill Also see Gil's reviews of Next Fall and Les Misérables: School Edition
The plot follows Jeremy Heere, an awkward, nerdy teen who is desperate to fit in. After struggling to gain the attention of his crush, Christine, Jeremy learns about the SQUIP, a supercomputer in pill form that promises to transform him into the coolest version of himself. Jeremy quickly discovers that while the SQUIP helps him gain popularity, it also has a mind of its own, controlling his actions and pushing him to make choices that are outside his comfort zone and that threaten to cut off his friends and family. As Jeremy grapples with the pressure to conform, he learns that the price of popularity may be steeper than he expected. Despite its charms, Be More Chill has a few shortcomings. Based on the novel of the same name by Ned Vizzini, the musical's book by Joe Tracz does a fairly good job of introducing the main characters and fleshing them out. However, the plot is somewhat convoluted and occasionally leans too heavily on its sci-fi gimmick and on humor, which detracts from the more meaningful messages about individuality, self-acceptance, and being yourself. Additionally, some characters, like the SQUIP, feel a bit underdeveloped, although the SQUIP is the type of antagonist that brings not only a unique sci-fi edge to the story but also an intriguing, satirical look at how technology-driven self-improvement can have disastrous effects. Joe Iconis' score is energetic and modern, blending pop and electronic sounds that fit the high school setting and sci-fi theme. Some of the songs focus on the character's vulnerability while others are odes to friendship or capture the universal angst of teenage life. However, some feel repetitive or overly long, leaning too heavily on similar themes without always advancing the plot or fleshing out the characters, and some of the lyrics include rhymes that feel obvious. Despite these minor shortcomings, Iconis' score does have some catchy melodies. Fortunately, under Leia Wasbotten's bright and upbeat direction, the cast bring a wonderful blend of humor, heart, and relatability to the characters and the show's eccentric plot. Jeremy, played by Gavin Kennedy with a fun balance of vulnerability and comedic awkwardness, is an easy character to root for, capturing the familiar struggle of self-doubt and the desire to be noticed. Kennedy is on stage for almost the entire show and he has great stage presence and a rich singing voice that shines throughout. Griffin Slivka is charming and quirky as Jeremy's loyal and supportive best friend, Michael, who provides a nice sense of emotional grounding to the musical; Slivka's voice soars on Michael's solo number, "Michael in the Bathroom." Jessica Lester is warm and charming as Jeremy's love interest, Christine, a young woman who is passionate about theatre and seemingly uninterested in popularity herself. Lester has a warm and strong singing voice and good comic timing and does a nice job using humor to highlight Christine's eccentric personality and upbeat spirit. As the SQUIP, which is portrayed as a cool, domineering presence who sounds a little like Keanu Reeves, Beau Morgan embodies the seduction and danger of peer pressure, pushing Jeremy to conform at all costs. In supporting roles, Kate Broadbent and Raegan Denton are Chloe and Brooke, two popular cheerleaders who have insecurity issues of their own; they both perfectly nail the popular but not exactly smart cheerleader trope with their domineering presence and vapid line delivery. Logan Holmes is strong and comical as Jeremy's classmate and bully who also clues him in to the powers of the SQUIP. Donovan Carabillas is very good as the popular boy that most girls want to be with, and Daphne Mizquez is fun as the girl who likes to gossip; Mizquez, Broadbent and Denton have fantastic harmonies with some soaring high notes from Mizquez in "The Smartphone Hour." RJ Gray has a couple of comical moments as Jeremy's divorced father who hasn't quite gotten over his wife leaving. The large ensemble does well portraying the various classmates and others, and under Darin Shryock's music direction they all bring strong vocals to the upbeat score. Ashley Bauer-Webb's choreography is energetic, varied, and well danced by the large cast with many creative ensemble numbers that morph in and out of fun group formations. Douglas Clarke's set is impressive, with multiple moving elements that form the various locations in the show. The immersive lighting by Nathaniel White is fantastic. Maci Hosler's costumes are bright, colorful and character specific. The eight-piece orchestra sounds wonderful with a rich, warm sound under Shryock's music direction. Even with the small issues I had with the book and score, Mesa Community College's production of Be More Chill is a delight. Each actor brings energy and authenticity to their roles, making their characters relatable and dynamic. The creative elements, from the colorful set design to the imaginative lighting enhance the sci-fi vibe and complement the show's offbeat tone beautifully. Be More Chill runs through November 10, 2024, at the Mesa Community College Arts Center, 1520 South Longmore Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please call 480-461-7172 or visit www.mesacc.edu/arts/events. Director: Leia Wasbotten Cast: |
