Representatives for the musical confirmed to Playbill.com that Weed departed the production to "pursue other opportunities." Hogeland (Sleepless in Seattle, Chicago at the Hollywood Bowl), who has understudied the role of Veronica since the LA premiere, has assumed the role "effective immediately."
Weed preserved her performance on the world-premiere cast album of Heathers, which was released by Yellow Sound Label. Read Playbill.com's Brief Encounter With Barrett Wilbert Weed, Revisiting Teen Angst and High School in Heathers.
Original cast member Alice Lee, currently a competitor on the ABC series "Rising Star," previously exited the Off-Broadway musical. Kristolyn Lloyd succeeded her in the role of Heather Duke.
Tony Award-nominated Legally Blonde composer Laurence O'Keefe collaborated with Emmy-winning Reefer Madness author Kevin Murphy on book, music and lyrics for the musical. Andy Fickman ("Reefer Madness," "She's the Man") directs the production that opened March 31. Read the reviews here.
The cast also features Dave Thomas Brown as JD; taking on the roles of The Heathers are Jessica Keenan Wynn as Heather Chandler, Elle McLemore as Heather McNamara and Kristolyn Lloyd as Heather Duke. Katie Ladner stars as Martha Dunnstock, Jon Eidson as Ram Sweeney,Evan Todd as Kurt Kelly, Tony Award-winner Anthony Crivello as Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean, Daniel Cooney as Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal, and Michelle Duffy as Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom. The ensemble includes Dan Domenech, Cait Fairbanks, Rachel Flynn, Molly Hager, AJ Meijer, Matthew Schatz and Dustin Sullivan.
Heathers has set design by Timothy R. Mackabee, costume design by Amy Clark, lighting design by Jason Lyons, sound design by Jonny Massena and music direction by Dominick Amendum. Choreography is by Marguerite Derricks.
Here's how it's billed: "September, 1989. Westerberg High is terrorized by a shoulder-padded, scrunchie-wearing junta: Heather, Heather and Heather, the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio. But misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, the dark sexy stranger J.D., who plans to put the Heathers in their place - six feet under. Deliciously, darkly funny, romantic and moving, Heathers: The Musical is a truthful, uplifting parable for anyone who’s ever been in love, in trouble, or in high school."
Heathers is produced Off-Broadway by Bruce Bendell, Jamie Bendell, Scott Benson, Andy Cohen, J. Todd Harris, Amy Powers, Scott Prisand and Big Block Theatrical. Creators Fickman, Murphy and O’Keefe are also producers, along with executive producer Denise Di Novi.
For tickets visit Telecharge.com.
View rehearsal highlights below:
