Welcome to Westerberg High, where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather. It’s going to take a Veronica and a mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count and reveal that everyone fears being a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…
In 2010, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy turned the iconic 1988 movie Heathers, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, into a musical – Heathers the Musical. And as illogical as it sounds mostly it works, there’s even a film version.
To celebrate their 10th Anniversary local music school Amusix is bringing Heathers the Musical live to Hong Kong on the 13-14 May at The Box, Freespace in West Kowloon. Director Joul Jacquin spoke to bc magazine about his new production.
What attracted you to put on Heather’s the Musical in Hong Kong?
I’m not a big fan of musicals. I thought that Grease was my only favorite. But the soundtrack of Heathers is wonderful. As a music school for over 10 years, we’ve done many types of performances from bar shows to big venues, to touring around Asia. A bigger project was the next step to celebrate 10 years of the school. The major thing about this show is that the music is played live by the students of Amusix, in a rock band formation.
Have you made any ‘local’ changes to make the show more relevant?
Not really, the talented cast is very eclectic due to HK’s multicultural society.
The film the musical is based on is quite old, do you think it still resonates with a very changed modern youth who exist on social media?
We’ve made a few changes to make it modern, but otherwise, the problems are still the same: ‘popular’ girls, bullies, anorexia, and people who don’t even know you exist. The High School Society.
What were you looking for when casting?
Characters that match at best the role and are ready to spend 6 months on a project. And I think we did pretty well on that. I love this cast. They know what compromise for each other. means.
Can you introduce yourself and Amusix to our readers?
I have been a gweilo in HK for +17 years now. As BC magazine readers know, I was the frontman of a band called Dr. Eggs till it was over my head and I chose to spend more time on productions with young artists at Amusix. We are not only coaching music but we are producing some of them. Let’s say I’m sharing my experience from the past with them. They are fresh. They want to go. They want to play.
What do you hope the audience can draw from the show?
Heathers remind you how important decisions you take are important for your life. Be kind to your friends and also to your enemies. This is a micro-society. Be good for everyone. Be sunshine. it will always pay.
Heathers the Musical
Date: 13-14 May 2023
Venue: The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District
Tickets: $450, $280 from Amusix
