★★★★½
Based on the 1989 film of the same name, Heathers has become a fan favourite for musical lovers in the last decade. Having major runs internationally, Australia is now lucky enough to be visited once again by the show after its first Australian tour in 2015.
Directed by Andy Fickman, with choreography by Garry Lloyd, this run of the show brings a strong mix of new and familiar. As an observer with little background in either Heathers or musicals in general, this reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this production, in terms of narrative, songs, and all the touches this cast and crew bring to the table.
For those just as uninitiated: Heathers is set at Westerberg High in the late 1980s, opening as Veronica Sawyer (Emma Caporaso) begins her senior year. Everybody is split up into their own social cliques, and nobody gets along.
Existing above this toxic social culture are the titular “Heathers.” Heather Chandler (Calista Nelmes), Heather Duke (Amélia Rojas), and Heather McNamara (Abigail Sharp). The Heathers are the most popular and powerful girls in the school. Veronica is desperate to befriend them in order to get through her senior year as easily as possible.
At the conclusion of the opening song, Beautiful, Veronica immediately achieves this goal, thus completely blowing away any expectations of the plot this reviewer had. Now being the fourth member of the Heathers, Veronica has to reckon with her own changing identity, as her new friends push her to commit morally questionable deeds.
Taking her even further down this dark path is Jason “J.D.” Dean (Conor Beaumont), the new kid at Westerberg and Veronica’s love interest. Heathers begins as a high school drama in the vein of something like Mean Girls, but takes many twists, leading to a much more violent and darkly funny tale than one might first expect.
Caporaso and Beaumont make for a fantastic on-stage pairing, with songs Our Love is God and Seventeen sitting among the best of the night. Caporaso’s desperation to save the boy she finds herself falling for from himself is truly believable. Beaumont’s portrayal of J.D.’s trauma makes for a convincingly sympathetic antagonist.
Likewise, the three Heathers constantly spice up the show with their unique brands of chaos. Abigail Sharp’s bimbo cheerleader Heather McNamara provides laughs through the show. Amélia Rojas makes a flawless shift from downtrodden to tyrannical in her role as Heather Duke. Standing above the rest is Calista Nelmes as the downright psychotic Heather Chandler, whose onstage presence dominates the whole show.
The supporting cast do fantastic work throughout to elevate the production as well. Jocks Kurt and Ram (Nick Van Lits and David Cuny) bring regular comedic relief via their exaggerated dude-bro tendencies. They take part in some impressive fight sequences thanks to fight director Lyndall Grant and consultant Lisa Connell.
Mel O’Brien’s understated turn as the school’s “fat-girl” Martha Dunstock shines in her exceptional performance of Kindergarten Boyfriend.
Similarly tricky to appraise are performers Ellis Dolan and Brodie Masini, who both play multiple roles as schoolteachers and fathers. The duo come together at the start of the second act to perform My Dead Gay Son, a highlight of the night.
Zoe Gertz bounces between roles throughout the show, but as hippie schoolteacher, Ms Fleming, she wows with Shine a Light. It’s worth noting at this point that if you find yourself in the front row, brace yourself for some audience interaction.
Bringing the show together is an incredibly confident team of musicians and designers. Music direction by Martine Wengrow and Arrangements by Laurence O’Keefe and Ben Green present the audience with a score full of catchy tunes that lift the excellent vocals by the whole cast.
Designer David Shields has created a set that constantly shifts and morphs in surprising ways, taking the audience all across Westerberg from the comfort of their seats.
Whether you know the show or are a first-time viewer, or even if you have little background knowledge of musicals, Heathers is a great night at the theatre.
Heathers the Musical runs to 9 May at Arts Centre Melbourne before touring Australia and New Zealand.
See full dates below.
Tickets: https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2026/musical/heathers-the-musical
Website: https://heathersthemusical.com/australia/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/heathersmusicalaunz/
Photo credits: Cameron Grant
2026 Australian Tour Dates:
Melbourne 8 April – 9 May, Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne Tickets
Adelaide 16 – 26 July, Her Majesty’s Theatre Tickets
Gold Coast 30 July – 9 August, HOTA, Home of the Arts Tickets
Canberra 14 – 23 August, Canberra Theatre Centre Tickets
Sydney 26 – 29 August, Coliseum Theatre Tickets
Sydney 1 – 19 September, Roslyn Packer Theatre Tickets
Perth 30 September – 11 October, Regal Theatre Tickets
