Be More Chill, the Broadway musical phenomena by Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz based on Ned Vizzini’s novel is to get its UK premiere at The Other Palace London.
A few years ago I reviewed the premiere American cast album of Be More Chill, one of the most exciting scores I had heard, but at that time its run at Two River Theater had concluded and the cast album on the Ghostlight label was the only record of the show. But then something magical happened!
The 2015 cast album started being downloaded by millions of people (300 million to be exact!). Such was the passionate following the show developed that an Off-Broadway production was announced in 2018. That production sold-out almost instantly before announcing its Broadway transfer.
Be More Chill tells the atypical love story of a boy, a girl….and the supercomputer inside the boy’s head guiding him every step of the way. The boy is desperately trying to fit in. The girl’s longing to be noticed. And the supercomputer just wants to take over the world.
The Tony Award-nominated score bursts with addictively catchy songs including More than Survive, Be More Chill and the hugely popular Michael in the Bathroom.
When the 2019 Broadway Cast Recording was subsequently released, it debuted at #2 on the Top Cast Albums Chart. Songs from the musical have accumulatively garnered over 318 million streams, with the breakout track Michael In The Bathroom amassing over 31 million streams and 8 million YouTube views alone. Tumblr has ranked Be More Chill as the #2 most talked-about musical on their platform, behind only Hamilton.
Now, it’s London’s turn as the UK premiere of Be More Chill was announced this morning. The show will run at The Other Palace Theatre from 12 February – 3 May 2020. Casting will be announced soon.
Joining Joe Iconis (Music and lyrics) and Joe Tracz (Bookwriter) on the creative team are director Stephen Brackett, choreographer Chase Brock, set designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Bobby Frederick Tilley, lighting designer Tyler Micoleau, sound designer Ryan Rumery and projection designer Alex Basco Koch. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Charlie Rosen, music vocal arrangements by Emily Marshall and UK casting is by Will Burton.
