TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple High School Theatre Arts department will give audiences a chance to return to high school and revisit a popular 1980’s movie with performances of Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition from February 1-4th.
The Temple HS thespians will perform the musical take on the 1980’s film with 7:00 p.m. show on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday. All of those performances will be in the Temple High School Auditorium. General admission tickets for each of the shows may be purchased in advance at: https://centraltexastickets.com. In addition to the acting ensemble, the production will feature members of the Temple High School orchestra and band. The crew also built an addition to the stage to create an orchestra pit to put the musicians in the middle of the action.
Heathers The Musical: Teen Edition is described as the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerburg High; the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously handsome new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss up to Heather, but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.
“I’m incredibly excited to be a part of Heathers,” said Avery Tarbet, who plays Veronica Sawyer in the production. “Our cast and crew have poured their hearts into this show, and I can’t wait for our community to experience the energy and passion that we have collectively brought to this production.”
The play also deals with some difficult subject matter and themes and that was one of the aspects that makes the play so important to Temple High School Theatre Arts Director Kayla Stewart.
“This production has been so meaningful to me for a variety of reasons,” Stewart said. “The script covers difficult subject material such as bullying, suicide awareness, self-harm, etc. I want this production to start those difficult conversations about what high school teens face in their everyday life. I brought in a professional Mental Health/CPS worker to talk to my students. She discussed the issues that teens are facing, provided them with resources for mental health, and opened a discussion with questions. I truly hope the community enjoys this dark comedy musical and sees the value in our students performing mature subject matter. This show is rated for a PG-13 audience.”
Heathers The Musical is written by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and is based on the 1988 film of the same name that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.