A company of ten performers will take to the stage in the musical Be More Chill, the largest cast ever assembled at Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock Theatre.
Leading the cast is Tom Dickerson as Jeremy. He is currently playing Jared Kleinman in the Nottingham Playhouse production of Dear Evan Hansen, which is touring the UK.
He will be joined by Maya Jade Frank (Chloe), Jessica Lim (Jenna), Tommy Fouweather (Squip), Shannon Bourne (Christine) and Steven Rostance (Mr Heere).
As a fringe venue committed to supporting emerging talent, the Old Joint Stock will introduce Jack Carr (Michael), John OG (Rich), Harry Chamberlain (Jake) and Ailsa Erskine (Brooke).
Director James Edge said, “we’re thrilled to be welcoming so many experienced performers and exciting newcomers to the venue for Be More Chill. Since the show was last performed, technology has advanced so much with the likes of AI and ChatGPT and we’re looking forward to incorporating that into this fresh, new production. All I will say is make sure you stay for the credits.”
Be More Chill, with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz, is based on the novel by Ned Vizzini. It premièred in 2015 in New Jersey and the show made its UK première at The Other Place in 2020. The following year it transferred to the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End.
The musical features Jeremy Heere, an average teenager until he finds out about “the Squip”, a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most: a date with Christine and a chance to survive life in his New Jersey high school. But is being the most popular guy in school worth the risk?
Be More Chill will be at the Old Joint Stock Theatre from Wednesday 6 until Sunday 31 August.