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February - March 2022
ARA Darling Quarter Theatre
The Mitchell Old Company presents, HEATHERS: The Musical, a high-energy immersive theatre experience. Based on the cult classic film of the same name, this heartfelt, hilarious and provocatively dark comedy will come to Sydney for a strictly limited season in February 2022. Featuring NEW SONGS straight from the West End production – come and join the 1989 class of Westerberg High School, for an explosive night of theatre!
Synopsis
Brought to you by the award-winning writing team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, “Desperate Housewives”), Laurence O’Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde) and Andy Fickman (Reefer Madness, She’s the Man). HEATHERS: The Musical, is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized ass... but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.
Reviews
"Fun created of murderously good performances, lethal ensemble work, terminal velocity action and infectiously deadly music." - Reviews By Judith
"The Mitchell Old Company's production of the West End musical showcases an exceptionally talented cast and simultaneously highlights the importance of independent theatre in Sydney." - City Hub
"In the words of this cast: Holy shit! There is 'Big Fun' going down right now at the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre!" - Sydney Arts Guide
"Collectively a wonderfully tight performance with strong vocals and clean choreography. If this is an indication of The Mitchell Old Company's capabilities, this new theatre company is one to watch out for..." - Broadway World
"The producer and musical director Mitchell Old, barely out of his teenage years himself, has put together a terrific production, which is comparable in standard to the original Australian season at Hayes Theatre in 2015." - Stage Whispers
"In the central, pivotal role of Veronica, Tiegan Denina is an outstanding triple threat... [who] grounds the production and holds it together with significant talent, excellent vocals and a powerful stage presence." - Sydney Chic
"With a stellar cast, led by a voraciously talented lead, Heathers is a rollercoaster ride that is made for fans of modern musicals, and those seeking a night of high energy entertainment. How very!" - Theatre Thoughts
Production Team
Creative Producer Mitchell Old
Director Jake Tyler
Choreographer Rheanna Hindmarch
Resident Choreographer Gelina Enriquez
Lighting Design Jasmine Rizk
Music Director Mitchell Old
Creative Consultant Jason Langley
Sound Operator Emma-Jade Dwyer
Intimacy Director Shondelle Pratt
Publicist Amanda Buckworth
Artistic Design Mitchell Old & Cassandra Stokan
Repetiteur Maia Hopf
Production Assistant Yannis Low
Stage Manager Hannah Ribbons
Run Time: 2 Hours 20 Minutes (Including Interval)
Performance Dates: 8 February - 5 March 2022
Theatre: ARA Darling Quarter Theatre
This production of HEATHERS: The Musical is recommended for audiences over the age of 15. HEATHERS: The Musical contains: Strong Language, Gun Violence, Violent Death/Murder, Child Abuse, Rape, Suicide, Alcohol & Drug Use, Mild Domestic Violence, Bulimia, Homophobia, Fat Shaming, Sex and Sexual Themes. This production will also contain strobe lighting, theatrical haze, theatrical cigarettes, simulated gunfire and loud noises. For a more detailed content warning including spoilers, click here.
CEO and Artistic Director of The Mitchell Old Company is a young and upcoming Sydney based Theatre Producer and Director. With a passion for empowering young professionals to rise above their own perceived limitations and to unlock their inner leadership, craft and artistic identity, Mitchell naturally gravitated towards musical theatre. In 2019, Mitchell directed and produced his first Cabaret show...
Mitchell Old
Creative Producer
Jake Tyler is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Music graduating with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Musical Theatre. As a performer he has worked alongside American Composer John Bucchino and was invited to perform with international star Adele in her Australian tour in 2017. Jake has toured with the Australian Shakespeare Company and Echelon Productions...
Jake Tyler
Director
Rheanna Hindmarch graduated Dargie Entertainment receiving a diploma in Elite Performance in 2019 and has gone onto perform at countless commercial events in Sydney. As a performer Rheanna specialises in commercial dance and is often engaged as a cheerleader for some of Australia's largest sporting teams. After touring nationally with Pro Cheer Australia, Rheanna is currently signed with the Sydney Kings Basketball Team...
Rheanna Hindmarch
Choreographer
From a Filipino family of musicians, Gelina (she/her) extends that same passion to other outlets such as theatre, dance and choreography. Gelina can be seen in music videos ‘Italiana’ and ‘Child’ – both by Sony Music Australia artist KOTABANKS, as well as ‘Sunday Suit’ by Tyne James Organ with Crater Productions. Theatre credits include ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘We We Will Rock You’ all by Packemin Productions...
Gelina Enriquez
Resident Choreographer
Jasmine is an accomplished Sydney based theatrical lighting designer and programmer, working with both the professional and independent theatre community. Recognised for her creative expertise and producing inspiring lighting designs, Jasmine was thrilled to be the lighting designer for the Jekyll & Hyde 25th Anniversary Concerts starring Australia’s best, Anthony Warlow and Jemma Rix in 2019...
Jasmine Rizk
Lighting Designer
Cast
Veronica Sawyer Tiegan Denina
JD (Jason Dean) Jerrod Smith
Heather Chandler Sabrina Kirkham
Heather Duke Kira Leiva
Heather McNamara Laura Dawson
Kurt Kelly / Ram's Dad Jake Vollbon
Ram Sweeney / Kurt's Dad Sam Welsh
Martha Dunnstock Jayd Luna
Ms Fleming / Veronica's Mum Michele Lansdown
Stoner Chick Gelina Enriquez
Cheerleader Girl Jordan Predl
Young Republicanette / Swing Danika Rojas
Blow-dried Preppy Kid Manu Sarswat
Bitter Geek Ryan Webber
Principal Gowan / Swing Zachary Aleksander
Tiegan is a versatile performer from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Throughout her childhood, Tiegan grew up singing with the Australian Girls Choir culminating in being awarded the 2016 June Bronhill Encouragement Scholarship. In 2017, Tiegan completed the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) Diploma of Musical Theatre and during her studies performed in Sydney Theatre Company’s ‘Chimerica’ (dir. Kip Williams)
Tiegan Denina
Veronica Sawyer
Jerrod grew up in a large musical family and was encourage to pursue his skills in performance. He graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelors Degree in Musical Theatre. During his time at The Conservatorium he had the privilege of playing roles such as; Bobby (Company), Judas (Godspell), Chino (West Side Story) and Adam Pontipee (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers)...
Jerrod Smith
J.D. (Jason Dean)
Kira is a graduate of the renowned Musical Theatre Program at the American Musical Dramatic Academy in NYC, where she held an International Scholarship. Upon graduating she was cast in the role of Shoshana in a production of Carner & Gregor’s Island Song, at the Off-Broadway Theatre, The Davenport. Other US credits include: In The Heights (Vanessa), Into The Woods (Narrator)...
Kira Leiva
Heather Duke
Jake is a Brisbane born performer and a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre program. During his time at the Con, Jake featured the roles of Billy Biggelow in Carousel, Gibbs in Dogfight, Larry in Personals and Granatire in Les Misérables. Since graduating, he performed in the Australian Premier of Bring Them Home: The State of Origin Musical, toured Queensland with Echelon Productions...
Jake Vollbon
Kurt Kelly / Ram's Dad
Michele’s passion for musical theatre has seen her tick off many ‘bucket-list’ roles including Norma Desmond in the Sydney premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, Desiree in A Little Night Music, Meredith in Bat Boy, Muriel Eubanks in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Agatha Makin in the critically acclaimed Riverside season of The Hatpin.
Playing Velma von Tussle in Packemin’s production of Hairspray was a hoot...
Michele Lansdown
Ms Fleming / Veronica's Mom
A Sydney Hills District local, Danika has been performing in community and school productions for many years. Danika has received 10 years of professional vocal training at the Sister2Sister School of Singing in Castle Hill, led by industry professionals Christine and Sharon Muscat. Throughout her performance journey, she has played supporting roles in high school productions of My Favourite Year and Hello, Dolly!...
Danika Rojas
Young Republicanette
Sabrina Kirkham is an emerging performer from Sydney. She completed her Bachelor of Music (Musical Theatre) at the Australian Institute of Music. She then trained at The Hub Studio for a year, completing the Actor’s Ensemble course. Sabrina has been accepted into the Stella Adler Academy of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, which she hopes to be involved with in the near future...
Sabrina Kirkham
Heather Chandler
Samuel was born and raised in the coastal town of Port Macquarie on the New South Wales mid north coast. From an early age, he had always had a love for performing, predominately through music. Samuel studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), graduating from the three year bachelor course in 2016. Whilst there, he played the roles of Twig in Jay-James Moody’s production of Bring It On...
Sam Welsh
Ram Sweeney / Kurt's Dad
From a Filipino family of musicians, Gelina (she/her) extends that same passion to other outlets such as theatre, dance and choreography. Gelina can be seen in music videos ‘Italiana’ and ‘Child’ – both by Sony Music Australia artist KOTABANKS, as well as ‘Sunday Suit’ by Tyne James Organ with Crater Productions. Theatre credits include ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘We We Will Rock You’ all by Packemin Productions...
Gelina Enriquez
Stoner Chick / Resident Choreographer
Manu was brought up in India for the early part of his life, and was exposed to the culture of dance and arts from a very young age. Moving back to Australia at the age of 12, he started training in a range of different dance styles. He then decided to pursue dancing full time and graduated from ED5 International in 2020 with an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts under the guidance of William A Forsythe...
Manu Sarswat
Blow-dried Preppy Kid
Laura wears many hats in the entertainment industry, and after graduating from ANU (English/Drama & Music) moved to Sydney to pursue her passions. She is a co-founder, writer and performer with children’s entertainment group ‘The Beanies’ which has released seven albums with ABC Kids, and was nominated for an ARIA award for ‘Best Children's Album’ in 2019. The group has garnered a loyal fan base...
Laura Dawson
Heather McNamara
Jayd is and always has been, a lover of music. Her journey started with Hi-5 singalongs on DVD and brought her to play the role of the infamous loser, Martha Dunnstock. While this isn’t her first time appearing in a musical, it is her first time playing a featured role and she is beyond excited to deliver the full Westerberg experience alongside her beautiful, well accomplished cast...
Jayd Luna
Martha Dunnstock
19 year old Jordan Predl from Brisbane, Australia graduated from ED5 International in 2020 with an Advanced Diploma of Performing arts. Since the age of 3 she was trained by her mother and Grandmother owners of Ashfield Ballet School in Brisbane before moving to Sydney to extend her training and pursue her career in the Performing Arts Industry.
She now lives in Sydney and has worked for some amazing choreographers such as...
Jordan Predl
Cheerleader Girl
Ryan started his dance training at the age of 7 at his local dance school in Five Dock. He soon moved to ED5international Junior School with whom he traveled to Europe at age 17, where he performed in Disneyland Paris and was a featured dancer at the Barcelona Dance Grand Prix, of which ED5international was awarded Overall Champions.
He then went on to receive his Advanced Diploma of Performing...
Ryan Webber
Bitter Geek
Zachary is a Sydney-based actor, musician and director. Whilst completing his Bachelor of Music (Australian Institute of Music), he notably worked on Tyran Parke's Into The Woods as The Baker (2016) and Squabbalogic's The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (2016), also appearing in The Witches of Eastwick (2015), Urinetown (2015), Chicago (2016) and Lucky Stiff (2017). After leaving AIM, he joined the Little Triangle Company...
Zachary Aleksander
Principal Gowan / Swing
Serena Tramontana is a fresh face in the Australian performing arts scene. A recent graduate of the Australian Institute of Music, Serena holds a Bachelor of Music (music theatre). Serena has always had a passion for singing and found her voice in her schools choir at the age of 9 and has grown to become an exceptional vocalist. She has performed in numerous cabarets and sung as apart of an ensemble for Cowra Civic Centres World Peace Day Suite...
Serena Tramontana
Swing
Book, Music & Lyrics by Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe. Based on the film written by Daniel Waters. By Arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
