The musical, first performed in 2015 before moving to Broadway and London’s West End features a pop-rock score that was nominated for a Tony Award and also was nominated for a number of Drama Desk and Outer Critic Circle Awards. The Enfield version of the show will be directed by Erin Dugan and Julianne Thorn, with music director Michael Zappala. The cast will feature local acting and musical talent, with James Thatcher starring as Jeremy Heere, Christine Canigula as Samantha Choquette, and Matthew Bussell as the supercomputer The SQUIP. The narrative is described as:
“just your atypical love story - a guy who wants to fit in, a girl who wants to be noticed, and the supercomputer inside the guy's head that tells him what to do - take over the world!”
The musical is part of the OHP Summer Theater Production for Young Performers program, featuring young acting talent. There will be six performances, split between matinee and evening shows. Musical productions such as this often use tools such as poster printing and social media to attract theatre lovers.
The Opera House Players performances typically take place at the Enfield Annex, but Be More Chill has been moved to the Griswold Theatre at American International College, a short drive away. Performances will take place from August 9 to 18.