Intro
Sci-fi musicals explore futuristic ideas and speculative themes through the emotional and expressive power of music. Today, we will focus on a modern cult favorite that blends high school angst with cutting-edge (early 2000s) technology—Be More Chill.
Featured Musical: Be More Chill
Be More Chill is a sci-fi musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz. It is based on the 2004 novel of the same name by Ned Vizzini. The musical debuted in 2015 in New Jersey but soon gained significant popularity online. This viral campaign led to a successful off-Broadway run in 2018 and a Broadway debut in 2019. The story’s mix of teen drama and sci-fi elements, combined with its catchy score, struck a chord with younger audiences. Despite COVID shutdowns, it has had successful runs on the West End and in other parts of the world. There is also some talk of a possible film adaptation in the works.
Plot Summary
The story follows Jeremy Heere, a socially awkward high school student who is desperate to fit in. His life takes a turn when he learns about a “SQUIP” (Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor), a supercomputer in pill form that promises to help him become cool. After taking the SQUIP, Jeremy’s confidence skyrockets, but he soon realizes that the device is taking over his life. It keeps pushing him to do things he’s uncomfortable with in the name of popularity. The plot covers themes of identity, peer pressure, and the dangers of relying on technology to solve personal problems.
Music
Song Highlights
- “More Than Survive”: The opening number, where Jeremy outlines his desire to just get through high school without embarrassment.
- “Michael in the Bathroom”: A poignant solo where Jeremy’s best friend, Michael, expresses his feelings of abandonment and isolation.
- “The Pitiful Children”: A dark, driving number where the SQUIP begins to take control of the school, highlighting the dangers of conformity.
Sci-Fi Elements in Music
The music of Be More Chill incorporates electronic and synth elements to reflect the story’s technological themes. The SQUIP’s influence is often accompanied by glitchy, digital sounds. The blend of traditional musical theater styles with modern, tech-inspired music helps convey the collision of Jeremy’s everyday life with the futuristic SQUIP.
Characters and Performances
Main Characters
- Jeremy Heere: The protagonist, whose desire to be popular leads him to take the SQUIP. Jeremy’s journey from insecurity to empowerment—and ultimately to self-awareness—is the heart of the story.
- Michael Mell: Jeremy’s best friend, known for his loyalty and love of retro video games. Michael’s character serves as the emotional anchor of the musical, especially as he grapples with Jeremy’s transformation.
- The SQUIP: The artificial intelligence that takes over Jeremy’s life. The SQUIP is charismatic yet controlling, representing the seductive but dangerous power of technology.
Character Archetypes
The characters in Be More Chill are rooted in familiar high school archetypes—the outcast, the popular kids, the best friend, and so on. Jeremy’s journey mirrors the classic “deal with the devil” narrative, where the pursuit of power or acceptance comes at a cost. Michael represents the voice of reason, while the SQUIP embodies the theme of technological manipulation.
Performances
The original Broadway cast of Be More Chill included Will Connolly as Jeremy, George Salazar as Michael, and Jason Tam as the SQUIP. George Salazar’s performance of “Michael in the Bathroom” became particularly iconic, earning widespread praise for its emotional depth and authenticity. As anyone familiar with Joe Iconis has seen, he likes to cast his “family” in his shows, and he is known to stay loyal to his closest friends and colleagues even when negotiating Broadway deals. And we can’t forget to mention the fabulous Stephanie Hsu who played Jeremy’s love interest Christine. She went on to perform in other musicals (to be featured on this blog), as well as television and films like Everything Everywhere All at Once for which she earned the Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Visual and Special Effects
Special effects in Be More Chill are crucial for depicting the SQUIP’s power. Light and sound effects signal when the SQUIP is active. The set design is colorful and stylized, reflecting the heightened reality of high school life. The use of projections and LED screens helps visualize the SQUIP’s influence, creating a digital, almost video game-like aesthetic that contrasts with the more mundane aspects of Jeremy’s world. Costumes are contemporary, with the SQUIP often portrayed in sleek, futuristic attire to emphasize its otherworldly nature.
Cultural Impact
Be More Chill initially received mixed reviews during its 2015 New Jersey premiere. After a few years it started to gain a massive following online, particularly among younger audiences. The musical’s catchy songs, relatable themes, and quirky humor resonated with teens and young adults. The show’s online popularity is a testament to the power of social media in modern theater, demonstrating how a niche production can find success through grassroots support.
Personal Reflection
In an age where technology increasingly shapes our identities and interactions, Be More Chill offers a cautionary tale about the risks of letting external influences dictate who we are. The musical’s success, driven by an online fanbase, also underscores the changing landscape of theater, where audience engagement can extend beyond the stage and into the digital world.
On a very personal note, I have a family member who struggles with mental health issues similar to the ones in the show so it was a little difficult to watch some parts of the story where mental health seems to be taken lightly, but that’s my own perspective. I know that many other people have found the story and the characters empowering and I don’t dismiss that for them.
Summary
Be More Chill is a modern sci-fi musical that resonates with today’s youth, blending the pressures of high school life with a speculative exploration of technology’s role in shaping our identities. Its catchy songs, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes have earned it a place in the hearts of a new generation of theater fans.
Up Next
In our next post, we blast off into the wild, experimental cosmos of Via Galactica. This audacious rock musical takes you on a quirky, interstellar journey where misfit heroes navigate a futuristic universe built on chaos and cosmic debris. Though its Broadway run was as fleeting as a shooting star, its bold blend of rock energy, eccentric humor, and visionary staging continues to intrigue and inspire. Join us as we explore this cult classic and celebrate its daring leap into the unknown.
References
- Brantley, Ben. “Review: Anxious Teenagers Learn to ‘Be More Chill’ on a Big Stage.” The New York Times, 10 Mar. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/theater/review-be-more-chill-joe-iconis.html.
- Fleming, Mike, Jr. “Shawn Levy & Greg Berlanti Chosen to Team on Movie Version of Broadway-Bound ‘Be More Chill’” Deadline, 20 Oct. 2018, deadline.com/2018/10/be-more-chill-movie-shawn-levy-greg-berlanti-film-auction-broadway-musical-1202486576.