This is the second half of my recent conversation with author Doug Reside, whose fascinating new book is titled Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory.
BE MORE CHILL to Release Broadway Cast Recording
By: Julie Musbach
BroadwayWorld has just learned that hit Broadway musical sensation Be More Chill will record a new cast album! The recording will be available later this Spring.
The show's Original Broadway Cast Recording will be produced by Kurt Deutsch, Joe Iconis, and Charlie Rosen, and co-produced by Ian Kagey and Emily Marshall. Be More Chill is now playing at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street, NYC). The album will be recorded March 17-19.
Featuring a score by Joe Iconis, the new album will feature the Broadway cast of Be More Chill: Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen, The Black Suits) as Jeremy; George Salazar (tick, tick... BOOM!, Godspell, The Lightning Thief) as Michael; Stephanie Hsu (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Christine;Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening, Groundhog Day) as Rich; Katlyn Carlson (Dirty Dancing, The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin) as Chloe; Tiffany Mann (Waitress, Jerry Springer the Opera) as Jenna; Lauren Marcus (The Humans at St. Louis Rep, Company at Barrington Stage) as Brooke; Britton Smith (Shuffle Along, After Midnight) as Jake; Jason SweetTooth Williams (Freaky Friday, Benny and Joon, Bloodsong of Love) as Mr. Heere-Mr. Reyes-Scary Stockboy; and Jason Tam (NBC's "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert," KPOP) as The Squip.
BE MORE CHILL features music and lyrics by Joe Iconis (NBC's "Smash," The Black Suits, Broadway Bounty Hunter) and a book by Joe Tracz (The Lightning Thief, Netflix's "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events") based on the cult sensation novel by Ned Vizzini. Stephen Brackett (Buyer & Cellar) directs and Chase Brock (HBO's "Last Week Tonight," Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) choreographs. Be More Chill features musical direction by Emily Marshall and music supervision and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen (Prince of Broadway, Honeymoon in Vegas).
Iconis said, "The original cast recording of Be More Chill changed my life. It was the launchpad for this entire crazy journey which has led myself and my collaborators all the way to Broadway. I couldn't be more excited that the new material written for the show since our 2015 recording will finally be preserved, along with the performances of our brilliant current cast. I am so proud that a second cast recording will soon be able to sit beside our first beloved album in the CD carrying cases, LP shelves, and hard drives of Be More Chill fans everywhere."
What if popularity came in a pill? Would you take it, no questions asked? In Be More Chill, achieving that elusive "perfect life" is now possible thanks to some mysterious new technology-but it comes at a cost that's not as easy to swallow. What could possibly go wrong? Blending the contemporary with retro sci-fi, this thrillingly exciting, comically subversive, and deeply felt new musical takes on the competing voices in all of our heads. And ultimately proves, there's never been a better time in history to be yourself-especially if you're a loser...geek...or whatever.
For more information about Be More Chill, visit www.BeMoreChillMusical.com.
Photo Credit: Maria Baranova
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Podcasts
In 2017, the original cast album of BE MORE CHILL was one of the most streamed cast recordings of the year, and it had yet to premiere on Broadway. In fact, it hadn't been performed since its world premiere in New Jersey two years earlier!
Joel Waggoner (Broadway’s School of Rock) on Advocating for Yourself
In this Artist Exploration, Joel and Charlie discuss revisiting a show after the pandemic, navigating imposter syndrome, and learning to advocate for yourself. We revisit Joel’s victory on $100,000 Pyramid by recreating his Winner’s Circle Round.
#133 - Miracle Chance - BE MORE CHILL WEST END
Miracle Chance / @miraclechance. Miracle is currently on West End as Christine Canigula in Be More Chill. She grew up in a very artistic home with her parents, which igniter her love and passion for music and performing arts.
Amanda Flynn had her share as a performer until something called her towards vocal health and education. 🎶 She worked with the companies of The Lightning Thief and Be More Chill while they were running on Broadway!
Ep147 - Lauren Marcus: Be More Chill, Tick, Tick... Boom
From iconic stage roles, to cabaret and rock band performances, this performer is building a successful artistic career while also navigating an autoimmune disorder with grace.
Ep129 - Stephanie Hsu: Be More Chill, Spongebob Squarepants, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Stephanie Hsu is a familiar face on both the stage and screen, maybe best known for originating the role of Christine in Be More Chill at Two River Theater, and then on Broadway. She previously made her Broadway debut as Karen the Computer in the original cast of Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical.
Ep126 - George Salazar: Be More Chill, Percy Jackson, Works & Process at the Guggenheim
Catapulting into the limelight after originating the role of Michael Mell in Be More Chill on Broadway, George Salazar speaks candidly about struggling with his identity growing up, as a child of a Filipino immigrant and an Ecuadorian immigrant.
#44: "Be More Chill" (feat. Miss Nightmare)
C-C-C'mon! C-C-C'mon! This week Jess and Andrew are joined by the incredible Videomaker Miss Nightmare to talk about Joe Iconis' Sci Fi Teen Comedy Be More Chill. There is intelligent talk about the Squip's symbolism, questions about lyrics, and an overall love of the show.
Ep40 - Chase Brock, Choreographer: Be More Chill
Making his Broadway debut at just 16 years old in The Music Man, Chase Brock has grown into the role of choreographer on many projects on the stage and screen. He is perhaps most well known as the choreographer of Be More Chill, giving the show its distinct “finger tutting” style.
Episode 134: The Be More Chill Band gets Broadwaysted!
Play along as the Be More Chill band joins Bryan, Kevin, and Kimberly for whiskey, broadway talk, theatre games, bad puns, and Pop Tarts. Become a supporter on our Patreon: https://bit.ly/2Q2zELG.
Ep. 32: Broadway Book Club with Chase Brock (Be More Chill)
The boys discuss Manila Luzon on Drag Race, #NotALabRat, Actor's Equity, and Head Over Heels! Merch Madness precedes our interview with Chase Brock, choreographer of "Be More Chill"! We talk about books to read, Spiderman, glasses and how coffee actually isn't water.
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