Arts and Entertainment

Penn State Centre Stage presents 'Be More Chill'

Musical to kick off the 2016-17 season Oct. 4-15 at Playhouse Theatre

Johnathan Philip Teeling, left, and Joseph Allen work through a scene during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' at the Playhouse Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus. 'Be More Chill' opens Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre and runs through Oct. 15. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Centre Stage proudly presents the musical "Be More Chill" to kick off its 2016-17 season. With music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, "Be More Chill" was first produced at Two River Theatre in New Jersey, where it was given its world premiere. Penn State’s production is the first since that premiere — and will run Oct. 4-15 in the Playhouse Theatre on the University Park campus.

John Simpkins, head of musical theater at Penn State, directs. Music direction is by Dan Riddle, with choreography by J. Austin Eyer.

An average and un-special teenager, Jeremy Heere is almost invisible. That is, until he discovers a tiny supercomputer that gives him access to everything he wants: girls, parties, popularity. Truly the teenage dream — or so he thinks. Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, this science fiction musical follows Jeremy and his search to find his own voice in the world. Praised as “a high-energy, imaginative, well-crafted world premiere musical,” "Be More Chill" was also lauded as “a vibrant, inventive musical that makes the most of every moment.”

The production features Joesph Allen as Jeremy, Jonathan Savage as Michael, Maria Wirries as Christine, Aidan Wharton as The “Squip,” Johnathan Teeling as Rich, Jessie Davidson as Chloe, Samantha Littleford as Brooke, Maggie Malaney as Jenna, Graham Hancock as Jake, and Jonathan Hashmonay as Jeremy’s dad.

Penn State’s production is designed by Michael Schweikardt (scenery), Zach Straeffer (lighting), Richard St. Clair (costumes), and Curtis Craig (sound). Mary Dennis is production stage manager.

Iconis will provide a special free post-show concert after the Oct. 13 performance. Join Iconis and his merry bunch of punks as they bring Joe Iconis & Family to Penn State to sing Iconis' original songs. The New York Times calls Joe Iconis & Family “the future of musical theater” — don’t miss this late-night concert following the evening performance.

Joseph Allen takes on the demanding role of Jeremy in the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' opening Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre. The high-energy, musical kicks off the 2016-17 production season for Penn State's School of Theatre. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Johnathan Philip Teeling, left, and Sam Littleford rehearse a scene from the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' opening Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre. The Joe Iconis musical, based on a book by Joe Tracz, runs through Oct. 15. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Jack Bowman, right, a Musical Theatre major at Penn State, rehearses with fellow cast member Joseph Allen at the Playhouse Theatre. Bowman and Allen, along with the entire cast and crew, are preparing for the Oct. 4 opening of the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill.' Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Penn State Centre Stage, the professional arm of Penn State's School of Theatre, will open the 2016-17 season with the high-energy musical 'Be More Chill' running Oct. 4 to 15 at the Playhouse Theatre. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Jenn Gallo, left, and Nicole Davis, move parts of the set into place during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' at the Playouse Theatre. Gallo and Davis are seniors at Penn State majoring in stage management. 'Be More Chill' opens Oct.. 4. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Johnathan Philip Teeling, left, and Joseph Allen work through a scene during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' at the Playhouse Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus. 'Be More Chill' opens Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre and runs through Oct. 15. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Director John Simpkins offers notes to the cast during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' opening Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre. Simpkins is head of musical theatre at Penn State. For more information about 'Be More Chill' visit School of Theatre. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Joseph Allen takes on the demanding role of Jeremy in the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' opening Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre. The high-energy, musical kicks off the 2016-17 production season for Penn State's School of Theatre. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Johnathan Philip Teeling, left, and Sam Littleford rehearse a scene from the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' opening Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre. The Joe Iconis musical, based on a book by Joe Tracz, runs through Oct. 15. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Jack Bowman, right, a Musical Theatre major at Penn State, rehearses with fellow cast member Joseph Allen at the Playhouse Theatre. Bowman and Allen, along with the entire cast and crew, are preparing for the Oct. 4 opening of the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill.' Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Penn State Centre Stage, the professional arm of Penn State's School of Theatre, will open the 2016-17 season with the high-energy musical 'Be More Chill' running Oct. 4 to 15 at the Playhouse Theatre. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Jenn Gallo, left, and Nicole Davis, move parts of the set into place during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' at the Playouse Theatre. Gallo and Davis are seniors at Penn State majoring in stage management. 'Be More Chill' opens Oct.. 4. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Johnathan Philip Teeling, left, and Joseph Allen work through a scene during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' at the Playhouse Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus. 'Be More Chill' opens Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre and runs through Oct. 15. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Director John Simpkins offers notes to the cast during rehearsal for the Penn State Centre Stage production of 'Be More Chill' opening Oct. 4 at the Playhouse Theatre. Simpkins is head of musical theatre at Penn State. For more information about 'Be More Chill' visit School of Theatre. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Broadway historian Jennifer Tepper will lead a free post-show discussion after the Oct. 9 performance. Featuring members of the original cast, the Penn State cast, creative team and Iconis, the discussion will focus on the creation of new musicals in 2016.

Iconis has also authored the musicals "Bloodsong of Love," "The Black Suits," "ReWrite," "The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks," and "We The People." His songs were featured on Season 2 of NBC’s "Smash." He has been nominated for two Drama Desk awards and a Lucille Lortel Award, and is the recipient of the Ed Kleban Award, the Jonathan Larson Award, and a Doris Duke Grant. Iconis is currently under commission by Penn State’s School of Theatre to write an original musical for the University — the first writer in a new yearly commissioning series in musical theatre.

For more information and tickets to "Be More Chill," visit http://theatre.psu.edu/bemorechill.

Last Updated September 23, 2016

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