Heathers has always had a cult following.
Heathers’ original form was a 1989 dark comedy cult film that visited topics of high school social hierarchy, bullying, toxic relationships, murder, suicide and starred Wenona Ryder, Christian Slater and Shannen Doherty. Twenty years after this film was released, Heathers: The Musical had its first production.
Eleven years ago, Heathers made its Australian Premiere (before even going to West End) through an independent professional non-replica production that had an Australian tour. Honestly, eleven years is too long between dance cards. So, when it was announced that Heathers: The Musical would have an Australia and New Zealand tour in 2026, I was super excited to see this musical again, but in the way it was always intended to be seen.
With Book, Music and Lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, based on a film by Daniel Waters and Directed by Andy Fickman, Heathers: The Musical kicked off its Australian leg at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse Theatre with a stellar cast.
For the uninitiated, Heathers walked so stories like Mean Girls could run. In the musical version, Veronica Sawyer (Emma Caporaso) hangs with three different girls, all named ‘Heather’, consisting of Heather Chandler (Calista Nelmes), Heather Duke (Amélia Rojas), and Heather McNamara (Abigail Sharp). They’re popular, selfish and unkind, but Veronica hangs with them because she wants to survive high school. Veronica then falls fast for new kid in town, Jason “J.D” Dean (Conor Beaumont), initiating the relationship and soon chaos ensues…
This production of Heathers has quintessential casting with insane talent and incredible voices! Ellis Dolan and Brodie Masini play multiple roles but are ace specifically when they are Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly’s dads and have the audience in stitches during, ‘My Dead Gay Son’. David Cuny and Nic Van Lits make a great pair as naughty two-some Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly.
Musical comedy darling, Mel O’Brien is adorable as Veronica’s uncool, sweet and naïve friend Martha Dunnstock, vocally and emotionally hitting it out of the park with her bittersweet solo ‘Kindergarten Boyfriend’. The Melbourne audience were particularly loud on opening night but were respectfully attentive and silent during O’Brien’s vocal performance, to the point that you could even hear a pin drop during the quiet pauses of the song. She also brings her comedic timing and humour to the role that makes you laugh and smile, even if against your will!
Zoe Gertz is hilarious as schoolteacher Ms. Fleming, having audiences in stitches during her church like style number ‘Shine a Light’ when her character is trying to support and encourage her students. Abigail Sharp in her professional debut as Heather McNamara, the airheaded cheerleader, is great. Sharp providing audiences with a convincing portrayal filled with purity, distress and vulnerability, particularly in her song, ‘Lifeboat’. Améila Rojas is feisty and ambitious as Heather Duke, shining during ‘Never Shut Up Again’.
Together with Calista Nelmes’ Heather Chandler, the three school ‘it girls’ are unstoppable, with their voices melding together flawlessly during ‘Candy Store’. Nelmes commands the stage whenever she’s on it and makes for the most intimidating Heather Chandler. Nelmes is quite tall and I love how the production plays into this when she’s next to characters Kurt and Ram.
And then we have our two anti-heroes, Emma Caporaso as Veronica Sawyer and Conor Beaumont as Jason “J.D” Dean. This pair have been cast so perfectly. Even so early in the musical tour’s run, Caporaso and Beaumont have electric chemistry together on stage, as well as insane vocal chops! The dangerous and dynamic pair sound exquisite when their voices meld together for songs ‘Dead Girl Walking’, ‘Our Love Is God’, ‘Seventeen’ and ‘I Am Damaged’, it’s like they’ve been singing together for years.
Beaumont shines particularly with solo ‘Freeze Your Brain’, vocally brilliant and with so much believable emotion, you wish you could jump into his world to help save J.D. from himself, despite all his anger, hurt and frustration. You really feel for his character, just wanting to be loved. Caporaso is jaw-droppingly impressive with soaring vocals during every single damn number, to the point where it’s hard to believe this production is her professional debut. Incredible, truly. This baddie slays.
The new song ‘I Say No’, not performed the last time the musical had a version in Australia, fits seamlessly with the rest of the music and lyrics. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that this song was always part of Heathers’ fierce, open and unapologetic identity.
Finally, the epic set and costume designs by David Shields and the stellar lighting design by Ben Cracknell go hand in hand, making for bold, bright and contrasting popping colours that scream the 80s, whilst also looking modern at the same time. At certain points of the show, I wished I could watch how frantically the lighting tech would be flicking switches and pressing buttons around, because the end result on stage is stunning.
Overall, Heathers is a phenomenal musical production. Filled with the perfect cast, catchy songs, powerful vocals, dark humour, and thought-provoking topics that will leave you discussing the show long after the curtain falls. You’d be hard-pressed to find anything nearly as fantastic as this musical in Australia right now. So, you know what to do. Join the cult following fandom while this show is still here.
Heathers is the blueprint for a bad romance. There’s really nothing like Heathers, returning to grace Australian stages in its ultimate final form.
Proudly presented by Bill Kenwright LTD, Paul Taylor-Mills, GMG Productions & Stoddart Entertainment, Heathers the Musical is currently playing in Melbourne at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse Theatre until May 9.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://heathersthemusical.com/australia
https://stoddartentertainment.com.au/productions/heathers-the-musical
https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2026/musical/heathers-the-musical
https://www.instagram.com/heathersmusicalaunz
Photography by Grant Alexander.
