by Chris Peterson
Warning: Spoilers ahead
I haven’t seen the new revival of Heathers: The Musical at New World Stages, but I’ve been paying attention to the reviews, the audience reactions, and the growing conversation around it. And whether you’re a longtime fan of the original film or discovering the story for the first time, there’s no denying that this production is sparking strong opinions.
Based on the 1989 dark comedy, Heathers has always dealt with heavy themes: bullying, suicide, sexual assault, school violence, and the toxic social dynamics of high school. In its original form, the story was biting and uncomfortable by design. It didn’t soften its blows. It wanted you to squirm.
The current Off-Broadway production, however, appears to take a different approach, even from its original 2014 production. From what I’ve read, including The Daily Beast’s recent feature, the revival leans into pop energy and fan-favorite moments, often wrapping the darker material in catchy musical numbers and stylized choreography. Audiences are reportedly showing up in costume, singing along, and treating the show like a concert or an event, rather than a cautionary tale.
Critic Tim Teeman describes it this way: the production “feels nervous about fully dramatizing sexual assault and attempted suicide.” He points to Martha’s suicide attempt, which is “referenced then essentially forgotten,” and suggests that the show often “neuters itself” by pulling back from the weight of its subject matter. Instead of delivering emotional clarity or critique, the revival ends with what he calls a “go-girl assertion of personal goodness” that lacks the ambiguity and punch of the film’s original conclusion.
At the same time, the show has its strengths. The cast has been praised for its energy and precision. “My Dead Gay Son” still resonates with humor and heart. And for many audience members, especially those encountering Heathers for the first time, the experience seems to be thrilling, cathartic, and fun. That raises its own set of questions. Is it possible to make entertainment out of darkness without dulling its meaning? And if the audience is cheering and laughing through scenes of trauma, does that change the impact, or just reflect the complicated way we process these topics today?
There’s no doubt that Heathers means different things to different people. For some, it’s nostalgia. For others, it’s a mirror of high school pain. For younger fans, it might be their first encounter with a story that mixes dark comedy and musical theatre. The current revival seems to offer a version of Heathers that prioritizes energy over introspection, and depending on your perspective, that’s either a refreshing take or a missed opportunity.
I don’t know where I personally land on all of this, especially without seeing the production myself. But I do think it opens up a meaningful conversation about tone, intent, and how we present serious subject matter in musical theatre.
Because Heathers was never meant to be easy. And when a show built on discomfort becomes something that feels purely celebratory, it’s worth pausing to ask—what story are we really telling?