Saltpillar gets loud, proud and chill on stage

Saltpillar Theatre Company has made a name for itself by putting Jewish voices at the heart of big, entertaining musicals, and its newest production is no exception. Following last year’s energetic staging of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Melbourne company is back with Be More Chill, a show that blends teenage angst, catchy pop-rock numbers, and a distinctly Jewish flavour.

At first glance, Be More Chill looks like a quirky high school comedy about awkward kids trying to survive adolescence. But beneath the surface, the story runs deeper.

“At its core, Be More Chill is about the tension between fitting in and staying true to yourself. It asks: what would you sacrifice to be accepted? And is it worth it? For our cast, young Jewish adults navigating a world that’s increasingly hostile, those questions feel especially urgent. The show celebrates individuality, friendship, and the courage to be unapologetically you,” co-producers Dani Harrison and Camryn Elbaum told The AJN.

That sense of urgency has carried through rehearsals, where the cast has turned their time together into something more than just a standard production schedule.

“One of our cast members said during a break, ‘This is the first time I’ve felt safe being loud and Jewish in a creative space.’ That stuck with me,” Harrison and Elbaum shared. “We’ve had rehearsals where laughter turned into deep conversations about identity, belonging, and resilience. And then we’d jump into choreography for a song called ‘Michael in the Bathroom’ – which somehow manages to be both hilarious and devastating.”

The rehearsals have also carried Saltpillar’s signature blend of playfulness and cultural pride, with the co-producers sharing that at every rehearsal, their non-Jewish director is taught a new Yiddish word like ‘shvitz’, ‘shlep’ and recently ‘holera’.

These details sum up the company’s approach to a T: rooted in heritage, yet eager to connect with wider audiences in a way that is warm, funny, and inviting.

For Saltpillar, Be More Chill isn’t just entertainment, it’s an act of community care, providing the audience with some much needed TLC and the opportunity to simply sit, be and laugh together.

“It’s a release valve. A chance to laugh, reflect, and feel seen. For young Jewish adults, it’s a declaration: we’re still here, still creating, still proud. For the broader community, it’s a reminder of the power of theatre to uplift, challenge, and connect – especially in difficult times,” Harrison and Elbaum explained.

Those difficult times are never far from mind. As the anniversary of October 7 approaches, for Saltpillar Theatre, the act of putting Jewish stories and Jewish voices on stage carries even greater weight.

“It’s emotional. The 2023 production of Spelling Bee came just days after the attacks, and the atmosphere was raw,” Harrison and Elbaum recalled when asked how it feels to be presenting a production so close to the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks.

“This year, Be More Chill feels like a response, a creative act of defiance and healing. We’re not ignoring the pain; we’re channeling it into something joyful and affirming.”

Audiences are being promised something that is both wildly entertaining and deeply heartfelt, with Harrison and Elbaum saying those who see the production should expect to laugh and expect to be surprised. But also expect to see the passion shine through the performers.

“The music is infectious, the story is sharp, and the heart behind it is real. It’s not just a show, it’s a statement,” he said.

It’s also a chance for audiences to show up for Jewish creatives at a time when their presence and visibility matter more than ever. Harrison and Elbaum said that simply buying a ticket shows that you support Jewish creatives.

“Buy a ticket. It’s the simplest way to support these young Jewish creatives who are pouring their souls into this production,” he said. “This is theatre by the community, for the community, and it’s a chance to lift the cloud, if only for a night.”

Be More Chill is showing from October 19-30 at Phoenix Theatre. For tickets, visit trybooking.com/DEJGX