Be More Chill London reviews – what did the critics make of the new production?

Reviews have dropped for the London production of Be More Chill – what did the critics make of it?

The musical, based on the novel of the same name by Ned Vizzini, opened at The Other Palace this month fresh from a run on Broadway.

Featuring music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz, the premiere UK production is currently booking through to Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Leading the cast, Scott Folan (Mother of Him at Park Theatre & Damned By Despair) plays Jeremy Heere, Blake Patrick Anderson (Closer to Heaven & Starlight Express) plays Michael Mell while former Six Queens Renee Lamb and Millie O’Connell star as Jenna Rolan and Chloe Valentine respectively.

Further cast are Miracle Chance as Christine Canigula, Stewart Clarke as The Squip, Eloise Davies as Brooke Lohst, Christopher Fry as Mr Heere, Mr Reyes + Others, James Hameed as Rich Goranski and Miles Paloma as Jake Dillinger.

What did the critics make of Be More Chill in London?

Be More Chill London reviews

Theatre Weekly – 5/5
“At its core, Be More Chill is a profoundly meaningful commentary on youth culture, but perhaps more importantly, is incredibly good fun, with just enough comedy elements not to distract from a superb score and capable cast. You don’t have to be gen Z to enjoy this musical, its subtle but vital message can resonate with us all. ” – Read the full review

The Guardian – 4/5
“The soaring joys and plunging agonies of adolescence are treated with humour and heart in this refreshing arrival from Broadway” – Read the full review

The Times – 4/5
“If young adult fiction is a genre in its own right, there’s no reason why young adult musicals can’t be a thing too. Would I recommend Be More Chill — a cult import from Broadway — to anyone over 20? Probably not. Yet if you are the parent of a teenager who is trying to navigate the trials of school life, social media and the popularity game in general, this show is worth taking seriously.” – Read the full review

WhatsOnStage – 4/5
“It’s not a musical that re-invents the wheel despite its imaginative twists and tuneful turns, and the sugar-laden weirdness of Be More Chill might be as odd for some as it is addictive for others. But there’s more than enough to satisfy the musical completists, eager to witness the newest Broadway import.” – Read the full review

London Evening Standard – 2/5
“It’s easy to see why the bleepy bloopy soundtrack is so popular: consolatory lyrics like “I don’t wanna be special, I just wanna survive” are Tumblr blog gold. But the appeal doesn’t feel much broader than that, each song goes on forever, and the show lapses into solipsism and cliched messages (conformity is bad, guys, don’t ditch your mates for the cool people, etc). ” – Read the full review

Be More Chill plays The Other Palace, London currently booking through to May 3, 2020.

Book Be More Chill London tickets here »

The standard performance schedule is Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30PM with 2:30PM matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays with a 4PM show on Sundays.