Now here’s a high school musical I’m interested in.
Heathers, the 1988 dark comedy about high school social clicks, is being transformed into a stage bound musical by Andy Fickman. Previously, Fickman directed the stage production of Reefer Madness, based on the 1936 campy, cautionary film, before moving on to helm the upcoming Race To Witch Mountain film. Fickman is working on the project with his Reefer partner Kevin Murphy (not the MST3K Kevin Murphy), who is writing the lyrics and book for the new project, and composer Larry O’Keefe.
Evidently, the three have been quietly working on the project for a while and just held some table readings of the script earlier this week, with Kristen Bell playing the role of Veronica, originated by Winona Ryder in the film. Christian Campbell stepped into original film star Christian Slater’s role of J. D., while reading the parts of the terrible titular trio of girls were Corri English, lead singer of BrokeDown Cadillac, Jenna Leigh Green and Christine Lakin. Participation in the table read is no guarantee though that these particular actors will be the ones who appear on stage when the production finally opens.
Fickman is hoping to have the show open regionally next year, followed by a Broadway run. If it proves popular, a film adaptation of the musical would be considered.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fickman has talked with Heathers original screenwriter Daniel Waters, who has given his blessing to the show.
“‘I love my dead gay son,'” Fickman states in the Reporter story. “If you can get that into a song, then that is just perfect.”
Personally, I’m holding out for the “F**k Me Slowly With A Chainsaw Interpretive Ballet.”
