Stage Review - Be More Chill (SecondStory Rep)

Stage Review - Be More Chill
Presented By: SecondStory Rep - Redmond, WA
Show Run: June 20 - July 13, 2025
Date Reviewed: Friday, June 27, 2025
Run Time: 2 Hours, 30 Minutes (including a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman

One thing those of us who have been lucky to make it into our twenties (some of us, well beyond) have in common is that we’ve all survived being a teenager. It’s likely safe to say that in surviving high school and those few years beyond, we’ve surmounted a challenge or three, whether it was in our inability to feel like we fit in with any of the high school social groups, or in the ease with which we made fools of ourselves when trying to ask someone out, or even in dealing with the physically awkward phase we all experienced as we approached adulthood. What time, distance, and a certain level of maturity give us is the ability to look back with hindsight and understand that, even then, we had more in common than we ever considered. Each one of us was going through something, each one of us felt lonely, even if we weren’t necessarily alone, and each struggled sometimes just to make it through the day. And everyone means everyone, the “nerds”, the “jocks”, the “theatre kids”, the “popular kids”, well you get the idea. The point is, even the ones who acted like they were above teenage drama and angst weren’t, they just used different mechanisms to hide it, though at the time nobody realized it. Those of us who struggled mightily in those days, what would we do if we were given the option of having it all go away? What if that girl (or boy) we had our eye on didn’t know we existed, but if by making that angst go away we could change our level of acceptance among our classmates, or social status, thereby making us more noticeable? That’s the general premise of Be More Chill, the 2015 musical from Joe Tracz (book) and Joe Iconis (music and lyrics), based on the 2004 Ned Vizzini novel of the same name.

The show, which is currently running on stage at SecondStory Rep in Redmond through July 13, in a production directed by Doug Fahl, tells the story of social outcast Jeremy Heere, bullied by the more popular students at school, stuck at home with a father who is still adjusting to his wife (Jeremy’s mother) walking out on them and who, as a result, refuses to wear pants around the house he never leaves, and who has his eye on a girl, Christine Canigula, an actor whom he is too nervous to talk to. When Rich Goranski, one of the bullies who has been tormenting Jeremy, tells him in a moment of clarity that he, too, used to be relegated to the social shadows but that he found escape through a pill that he bought from a stranger at the Payless Shoes store, a pill that contains a mini-supercomputer called a SQUIP (Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor), he’s intrigued. The SQUIP has the power to remake Jeremy into someone who Christine will notice and be interested in, but it turns out this AI chip may have met its match, just as Jeremy may have met his match with the SQUIP. Programmed to make someone rise through the typical teenage social hierarchy, to “be more chill”, by understanding how to manipulate the insecurities and fears that all teenagers have, it hasn’t accounted for Christine, someone who doesn’t care what people think of her, an enigma in the high school playing field. Be More Chill is about what we’re willing to give up to get what we want and the consequences inherent in looking for a “quick fix”, along with a subtext about the ethical use of technology. And while the messaging is important, the show itself is fun, with songs that are smartly written, a mix of genres, including pop, rock, and electronic, and characters who are relatable and complex. The SecondStory Rep production captures all of Be More Chill’s relatability with a cast that acts, sings, and dances their way through an entertaining story that accurately depicts the kind of angst and trepidation so many have felt during their high school days.

I haven’t had much experience with this show prior to seeing Friday’s performance in Redmond, but it’s clear that others in the audience that night had. It’s also clear how good this version of this musical is, if only from witnessing how much those familiar with it enjoyed it. I’ll have to say, though, my experience with it now would probably make me feel the same as those others in the audience. The setup for the show, with regards to the design, does a nice job in reflecting the theme of this science-fiction, almost dystopian story. Mark Chenovick again is responsible for the lion’s share of the scenic design, the set, lighting, sound, and projections. Mark relies on his projections quite a bit for Be More Chill, he’s deployed a set that is simply constructed, with plenty of open space for the decently sized cast to move, especially during the ensemble musical numbers, the only static piece being a set of concrete-looking stairs leading toward the rear of the stage. What the stairs lead to depends on the scene, of course, and that’s where the projections help. They also help with the tone of each particular scene, whether it’s in the school, Jeremy’s bedroom, or whether it’s just floating musical notes or circuit patterns, Mark’s projections help to fill up the set, and provide a background for the action on stage, such as the choreography executed by the actors, which also includes, in some cases, other set pieces like lockers and other room components. When those prop devices are used during the musical numbers, they’re as much a part of the choreography as the actors are, and the pieces are creatively designed themselves to be versatile in their use. Mark’s ability with lighting and sound has come to play as well, perhaps the part I appreciate the most, for Be More Chill especially, is how he’s managed the volume balance between the live band, under the musical direction of John Allman, and the large cast, all using microphones. Ensembles sometimes compete with live bands or orchestras, with the combined volume making the lyrics of the songs unintelligible, but that’s not the case here. Sure, there were a few microphone hiccups on Friday, but all and all the balance was spot on and, especially considering the size of the space, the actors and the band were supported wonderfully.

On the acting front, it’s Jeremy’s story, and in the lead role, Will Chadek is excellent. He’s able to capture the essence of the struggle that is high school, the challenges of not fitting in, and the desperation of letting a chance, or a girl, go by, a desperation that sometimes drives people of Jeremy’s age to do drastic things, like, say, take a pill built on artificial intelligence that takes control of him in order to make him popular, so the girl will notice him. In “More Than Survive”, Will musically presents his hopes for high school, that he doesn’t just want to survive, he wants more, and with best friend and video game partner Michael Mell (Robin Langenhop), they promise to go through it together, all the way. I like Will’s singing voice, his range is just right for the role, and his power and sustainment are wonderful. He and Michael sound good together too, and in “Two Player Game” they show their ability to maintain their individual tone and harmony together while executing Mackenzie Malhotra’s choreography. Robin’s highlight, though, is in “Michael in the Bathroom”, a song that is filled with pain, anger, and sadness, pointing out that he is the “friend that is left behind”. It’s a not so uncommon trope in stories like this, where the protagonist does something crazy to become popular, does, and forgets about his friend. That’s Michael here, and the emotion that Robin brings to this song is excellent. The whole story is something that’s been played before, boy wants to be popular to get the girl, becomes popular, leaves old life (and friends) behind, almost gets the girl, has a revelation, and it all gets wrapped up in a nice little bow. Be More Chill is generally the same, but the fun is in the ride to get there. A big component of that fun is the SQUIP itself, personified by Tommy Beale. Tommy is funny as the SQUIP, but when things get serious, in a Little Shop of Horrors sort of way, in “The Pitiful Children”, he shows an ability to be despicable, but never in a way that the audience turns on him. This is a comedy after all. Tommy has nice singing voice, and he adds some acrobatics to the choreography, and in “The SQUIP Song”, Mackenzie goes into the way back machine, dusts off, and modernizes an ensemble version of the robot, a dance that is even better served with Audrey Herold’s costumes for the group. Audrey does a good job with the show’s costumes, from those gray pajama outfits worn by the ensemble in “The SQUIP Song”, to the individual Halloween costumes the cast wears in “Halloween”, and to the casual school clothes the actors wear most of the time.

It’s Christine that Jeremy is hoping to get close to, and Eilish Rhoades plays her in this production. For a character that is confident, and doesn’t base her life on what other people think of her, Eilish is the right person for the job. The song “I Love Play Rehearsal” includes everything the audience needs to know about Christine, and Eilish’s delivery is quick, precise, and fun. The best part about Christine is how, when everyone around her is willing to change to suit everyone else, she remains true to herself, and I like how Eilish is consistent and solid in the role. While she is steady, the other girls in school aren’t so much. This includes the popular Chloe (Annika Peterson), best friend Brooke (Skyla Rathert), and gossip Jenna (Chloe Henry). Each of these actors perfectly portray individual personas that bely something sinister underneath, their own jealousies and loneliness. I especially like what Chloe adds with her Jenna to “The Pitiful Children”. In fact, the energy that she brings to the show throughout is electrifying. Rylee Worth as bully-turned-friend Rich and Thomas Anthony Pierson as Jake the popular football player are both good here, but out of the supporting group, it’s Tadd Morgan, who does triple duty as the “pants-less” Mr. Heere, Mr. Reyes, the drama teacher who has written his own version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but with aliens and zombies, and the “Scary Stockboy” at Payless. Each role show’s Tadd’s ability to deliver a humorous role, and his duet with Robin’s Michael in “The Pants Song” is both funny and poignant. One final note, and this one on the ensemble, is how impressive the the choreography is in its execution, and how well the group sounds together. That’s a credit to Doug, his creative team, and of course this cast.

Be More Chill, the 2015 musical that artfully presents the uncomfortable angst that most everyone feels at one time or another during their teenage years, is a show that combines fun and catchy songs with a unique way of telling the classic story of the unpopular kid who will do anything to raise his social standing in order to get the girl. Featuring a cast of talented and funny actors under the direction of Doug Fahl, the SecondStory Rep production proves once again what a theatre is capable of, even in a small space. And when a capable group of actors who perform well individually come together to create a full and solid ensemble in a show like this, it’s a recipe for success, and anyone who comes to Redmond for this musical will agree, Be More Chill is a rousing success.

Be More Chill runs on stage at SecondStory Rep in Redmond through July 13. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://www.secondstoryrep.org/.

Photo credit: Michael Brunk