Highs and lows hit home in Be More Chill
In Saltpillar Theatre's musical Be More Chill, a gawky teenage student who dreams of being the coolest kid at school gets his wish, but at a cost.
Teenage angst ranging from social pressures and bullying to sexuality issues come to the fore in the musical Be More Chill, currently being staged by Saltpillar Theatre at Melbourne’s Phoenix Theatre.
Be More Chill is set in an American high school and features plenty of energetic scenes, pop-rock songs and spectacular stage numbers.
Taking centre stage in Be More Chill is Jeremy Here, played by former Mount Scopus Memorial College student and Saltpillar regular Jasper Sherman, as an awkward, insecure student struggling with the challenges of normal teenage life.
His best friend is Michael Mell, less of a nerd but also dogged by social issues, played by Giddy Date in his impressive Saltpillar debut after graduating from Mount Scopus Memorial College in 2024.
When Jeremy meets bubbly, attractive Christine Canigula (Jess Lenga) at rehearsals for the school play, he is hopelessly smitten, but she only has eyes for handsome Jake Dillinger (Zac Goldman).
To make matters worse, Jeremy is the target of abuse and threats from the school bully, so when Jeremy hears about a pill called the Squip designed to make him popular, he uses money from his bar mitzvah presents to buy it from a shady drug dealer.
The Squip implants itself in his brain and tells him what to wear, say and act to achieve the ultimate coolness.
Experienced performer Eitan Meyerowitz plays the Squip, resplendent on stage in glitzy silver outfits and invisible to everyone except Jeremy.
Meyerowitz, who is founder of Stars And The Moon theatre company and has played in musicals and Purim Spiels, gives a powerful performance as he helps make Jeremy popular.
Through drama and humour we see Jeremy magically transform into the coolest student in the college, catching the attention of popular girls Chloe (Georgia Harrison) and Brooke (Bailey Silver) while trying to woo Christine.
However, Jeremy soon discovers a dark side to the Squip as his new-found popularity threatens his core values and long-standing friendships.
In the process the other students reveal their own insecurities, issues and frailties.
Among the musical’s highlights is when Michael sings ‘Michael In The Bathroom’, a powerful ballad filled with pathos as he lays bare his feelings.
Another highlight is Christine emphasising her effervescent outlook on life by doing acrobatic cartwheels across the stage.
The special effects incorporating creative lighting as Squip and the ensemble sing ‘The Pitiful Children’ deserves praise.
The ensemble is constantly active, engaged in conversations around the stage that brings the musical to life.
Musical director Mantan Franco, who plays keyboards, conducts the five-member orchestra to provide excellent musical accompaniment.
Be More Chill, which premiered on Broadway in 2019, tackles many of the challenges facing teenagers in their senior high school years, but finds a winning formula that combines drama with humour.
Director Christian Cavallo has teamed up experienced performers with talented newcomers to produce an entertaining, thought-provoking musical that deals with contemporary student issues.
Saltpillar Theatre’s Be More Chill is at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood until October 30. Bookings: saltpillar.org.au