The players are in place for the cult show Be More Chill, fresh from Broadway and now in transit to London’s The Other Palace for the UK premiere from 12 February to 3 May 2020. Scott Folan and Blake Patrick Anderson take the lead roles of Jeremy Heere and Michael Mell, while Renee Lamb and Millie O’Connell (formerly known as Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn in Six The Musical) also join the line-up.
Be More Chill runs at London’s The Other Palace from 12 February to 3 May 2020 (press night is 18 February) and is based on the groundbreaking novel of the same name by Ned Vizzini.
Scott Folan’s recent credits include Mother of Him at Park Theatre and Damned By Despair at the National Theatre and Blake Patrick Anderson’s previous musicals credits include Straight Dave in Pet Shop Boys’ Closer to Heaven and Starlight Express.
Renee Lamb (playing Jenna) and Millie O’Connell (Chloe) both starred in one of Britain’s most celebrated and popular new musicals: Six: The Musical. Lamb played Catherine of Aragon in the original Arts Theatre production and O’Connell played Anne Boleyn, also at the Arts.
Also announced today are: Miracle Chance as Christine Canigula, Stewart Clarke as The Squip, Eloise Davies as Brooke Lohst, James Hameed as Rich Goranski, Miles Paloma as Jake Dillinger, Christopher Fry as Mr Heere and Mr Reyes and Eve Norris (swing), with further company members to be announced.
With original music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz, Be More Chill has been described as an international sensation.
The musical was commissioned by and premiered at Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey in 2015, had a limited run, and Ghostlight Records released an original cast recording. In 2017, the number of online listeners to the recording started growing, with fans creating animated YouTube videos, art fiction, blogs and vlogs.
In 2018, the show’s creators thought it was time to bring it back – resulting in an ‘off-Broadway production’ and this year’s Broadway run at the Lyceum Theatre. Its success continues with this London premiere at The Other Palace and a film adaptation which is currently underway. Joining Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz on the creative team are director Stephen Brackett and choreographer Chase Brock.
