Up and Coming Theatre Company Will Present HEATHERS; Begins Performances July 30

Up and Coming Theatre Company invites you to travel back to the '80s for some "Big Fun" as it presents "Heathers: The Musical."

Performances will take place at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 31; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4; and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Based on the cult classic 1989 film of the same name, "Heathers" tells the darkly comic tale of Veronica Sawyer, a teen struggling through to make it through her final year at a high school ruled by the "almighty" Heather Chandler and her minions, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke. While Veronica thinks she's found an ally in mysterious newcomer J.D., she gets more than she bargained for - and things take a deadly turn.

"While the '80s setting evokes nostalgia, the story of 'Heathers' absolutely speaks to issues we face today," says director Jason Harrington. "Our production will focus on the savage world that is high school - a place where the stakes are life and death, and everyone is at risk of being yanked from their social status at any time. Like Veronica, we too wonder if it's possible for all of society's 'cliques' to live together peacefully and as equals. It's a hard thing to imagine when the world today often feels so divided, but if it were possible, we agree with the show's opening number: 'That would be beautiful.'"

"Heathers" is produced by Lindsey Weiss and James Faust. Kelly Fitzgerald, a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award-winner for her work on UAC's production of "American Idiot," is the music director. The choreographer is BroadwayWorld Chicago Award-nominee Annie Jo Ermel, and the assistant director is Linda Andrews.

"While the story of 'Heathers' is timeless, the show itself is new, so we're excited to give our community a chance to see - and perform - something they haven't experienced before," Harrington says. "The show has a great book and great score, with lots of opportunities to feature talented individuals."

With a cast of more than 40 Chicagoland performers, the production stars Haley Gustafson as Veronica Sawyer, Melanie Frewen as Heather Chandler, Clare McLaughlin as Heather McNamara, Shannon McGraw as Heather Duke, Gina Carlson as Martha Dunnstock, Lauren Baker as Ms. Fleming/Veronica's Mom, Cale Singleton as Jason Dean, Cole Festenstein as Kurt Kelly, Jared Narter-Slezak as Ram Sweeney, Dan Ermel as Big Bud/Ram's Dad/Coach and Chris Zeglin as Kurt's Dad/Veronica's Dad/Principal.

The show also features Barrett Winston as Stoner Chick, Meaghan Rivera as New Wave Girl, Paige Brantley as Young Republicanette, Nick Santoro as Beleaguered Geek, Max Zumpano as Hipster Dork, Cole Geitner as Preppy Stud, Erica Chin as Officer McCord and John Fogarty as Officer Milner.

Rounding out the cast are ensemble members Kate Abbott, Charlie Acasili, Lola Badmus, Vealy Celdran, Nicole Chamberlain, Becca Duff, Jake Fava, Marixa Ford, Ethan Jankowski, Sean Jung, Aaron Kahn, Max Larsen, Jennifer Lenius, Heather Mall, Megan McDillon, Christina Melgar, Blaise Mollet, Rhiann Owen, Noreen Patel, Amelia Ropke, Rebecca Swan, Hugh Tully, Brenna Watkins, Alexa Williams and Hannah Yonan.

"We were humbled by the incredibly large number of talented people who came out to audition for 'Heathers,'" Faust says. "Our fierce, high-energy cast will blow audiences away with their acting and vocal skills - not to mention their '80s fashion and hairstyles."

"UAC is thrilled to bring a another suburban premiere to the area," Weiss says. "This dark comedy will leave the audience laughing, squirming and wanting more from this crazy-talented group. As Heather would say, it will be 'so very.'"

Visit uactheatre.com for more information and tickets.