New Musical Be More Chill Will Feature George Salazar and Dear Evan Hansen’s Will Roland

Be More Chill, the original musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis (NBC’s “Smash”, The Black Suits, Broadway Bounty Hunter) and a book by Joe Tracz (The Lightning Thief, Netflix’s “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”) will have its New York premiere production this summer. Stephen Brackett directs and Chase Brock choreographs the limited 9-week, off-Broadway engagement July 26 – September 23 at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street, NYC). The official opening night is August 9 at 7:30PM.

Based on the cult sensation novel by Ned Vizzini, Be More Chill is the story of Jeremy Heere, your average, nothing-special teenager at Middleborough High in nothing-special New Jersey. That is, until the day he finds out about “The Squip.” Thus begins a journey that pits Jeremy’s desire to be popular against his struggle to remain true to his authentic self. Be More Chill is an honest, edgy, super-hilarious look at coming of age in the digital age, set to some of the most exciting songs in contemporary musical theater. This original musical comedy looks at modern issues like depression, bullying, and anxiety through the lens of sci-fi films of the 50s, horror flicks of the 80s, and teen movies of the 90s. Little Shop of Horrors meets The Breakfast Club in this celebration of outcasts, teenaged or otherwise.

Be More Chill features scenic design by Clint Ramos (Once on This Island, Sunday in the Park with George), costume design by Bobby Frederick Tilley II (Lizzie Borden, Top Girls); lighting design by Tyler Micoleau (Iowa, The World of Extreme Happiness); sound design by Ryan Rumery (Fool For Love); musical direction by Emily Marshall and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen (Prince of Broadway, Honeymoon in Vegas).

The 2015 Two River Theater cast recording of Be More Chill  is available from Ghostlight Records. Performance rights for Be More Chill are licensed by R&H Theatricals.

LISTING INFORMATION: Be More Chill plays a limited 9-week, off-Broadway engagement July 26 – September 23 at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street, NYC). Opening night is August 9 at 7:30PM. Performances are Tuesday – Friday at 7:30PM; Saturday at 2PM and 8PM; and Sunday at 2PM & 7:30PM. Tickets are $35 – $85 and are now on sale at TicketCentral.com, (212) 279-4200. Premium seating, including exclusive Be More Chill merchandise is available.For more information, visit www.BeMoreChillMusical.com.