So I just came back from seeing “Be More Chill” by Lightbox Productions in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia. I haven’t seen any other productions so I don’t know how it compares/what’s unique to this show but I thought I’d share some of my favourite things about it:
- Jeremy’s laptop was covered in stickers including but not limited to, the original rainbow Apple logo, an Avengers “A”, Elmo, the blue teenage mutant ninja turtle and Jurassic Park.
- Jeremy’s Dad wore Top Gear boxers and fluffy Monster feet slippers
- Jake was played by a fat dude and that was so nice? Jake is an insanely popular sports bro who gets all the girls and having him be played by this huge guy who was all these things and fat? And have it not at all commented on? It was real cool.
- During the “A Guy That I’d Kinda Be into” scene Christine and Jeremy do embroidery together and it’s??? So??? CUTE???
- MS Reyes was absolutely phenomenal and had a fully bedazzled flask which she periodically took swigs from. My eyes were always on her whenever she was on stage. A true icon.
- Rich was so endearing? It was so clear that he was just a guy trying to get by (getting bi as it were 😉) and that all of his bullying behaviour was due to his Squip. You really felt for him.
- Chloe was really sympathetic too? Idk the cast just really nailed that all the kids were acting out in pain, as a cry for help. When Jeremy says that Brooke is the hottest girl in school you see her mask slip for just that moment and you can see just how much the compliment means to her and I may have sniffled (it was just my cold shut up!)
- This all makes “Voices in my Head” feel a lot less forced than by all rights it should. Also when Jeremy is asking Christine out, all the cast (including Ms Reyes) are leaning in uncomfortably close, so “lunch … just the two of us?” got a huge laugh.
- Jeremy and Michael linked arms during “Two Player Game” it was adorable
- Both Jeremy and Michael and Brooke and Chloe have these really complicated secret best friend handshakes and it’s The Best™
- Brooke was super cute and genuinely wanted to be part of the play. She and Mrs Reyes totally bonded in rehearsal and it was sweet.
- Female Squip meant that the Volleyball line was Very Gay and I Approve. I cannot overstate How Gay the Squip was. Pulling up a chair as a footstool? Only a Lesbian could look that Hot sitting down.
- Female Squip looked like “someone out of the Matrix” 90s Makeup and trenchcoat included (in the second act they also drew gradually increasing silver microchip lines on her face and it was trés creepy)
- The lighting and stage design was masterful. They had these huge pillars made out of lighting rigs that they covered in LED Displays that sparked and glowed n stuff it was just real neat light design ya know?
- “Halloween” was crazy. Jake threw his condom into the crowd, Rich made the bread a dick and the Squip wore cat ears? As a costume? It was so cute
- Rich got stood up for a high five after the dance off, Until Dawn style, JEREMY MISSED THE QTE
- when Brooke and Jake break in on Jeremy and Chloe, he covered his nipples in shock
- Jeremy and Christine bonding by SHOUTING GIBBERISH AT EACH OTHER at the party??!??!?!????!?!They’re such absolute goobers I love them
- THE PARTY GOER BETWEEN THEM WAS MS REYES (also she was dressed up as slutty Gandalf, it was choice)
- In “Michael in the Bathroom” Micheal’s voice cracked and I shed real, actual, tears
- During “The Smartphone Hour” Brooke came on stage with streaming mascara :c
- I’msorrythatJeremymadeoutwithmeatthepartybutitwastotallyhisfaultandletsnotletboysevercomebetweenusagainokay? 😊💄🐾
- Jenna Rolan in overalls? 10/10 Would Gay again. Also Jenna had some pipes on her?! She was a better singer than the Squip tbh
- The Pants song was a Rock Anthem and it was great
- When Rich said he was bi someone in the crowd yelled “Happy Pride!” and he did a thumbs up and a call me gesture. BICON
- Michael was also Very Gay and had not one but TWO different pride patches, the rep in this play was aces
- There were a bunch of little improv moments: When Jeremy’s singing to himself before bed he kept on saying cool and catching himself and it was adorable “Be More co- I mean chill, I’m gonna super co- I mean Chill“, Jenna kicked the leftover solo cups off the stage and into the crowd before “The Smartphone Hour”, Ms Reyes said “Oh Mr Heere, you’re … here …” and before “The Pitiful Children” Jeremy changed the line to “World leaders, Presidents, KIM KARDASHIAN” and it was all Phenomenal
- Remember how I loved Ms Reyes? She said “New Jersey” in an accent. I stan one (1) drama teacher
- Michael Makes An Entrance got a standing ovation
- Because Lightbox is an amateur company with mainly uni kids the school play line also got a big laugh
- Unsquipped Rich had a lisp AND GLASSES and I’m not saying anything but he and Michael are Definitely Banging Later
- Rich returned a marker he had stolen in “More Than Survive” to Ms Reyes during “Voices In My Head” it was super sincere and v sweet?
All in all it was just a really fantastic, feel good production and I’m so glad I got to see it and it really instilled in me the relevant power of live theatre!
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