Heathers reaching out

IT was a box-office flop that turned into a cult classic.

Heathers, the 1988 dark teen comedy, drew a following with its with razor-sharp quotes and Mean Girls- style look at the teenage years.

The film that launched the careers of Christian Slater and Winona Ryder has now been adapted for new audiences as a musical, while a television series is also expected to air next year.

Geelong can see what it is all about when GSODA Inc performs Heathers: The Musical next month.

The not-for-profit community theatre company is inviting locals into its candy store, with a series of performances at GPAC’s Playhouse Theatre.

Director Christian Cavallo said while the biting satire covered confronting themes faced by many teenagers, its message was ultimately one of friendship, acceptance and self-love. He said the show had become popular for its clever and poignant look at the dark side of adolescence, as well as its raw and culturally relevant musical numbers, including Candy Store, Beautiful and Freeze Your Brain.

Jess Senftleben, Nicole Kaminski and Chloe Stojanovic (below) lead a talented cast, supported by musical director Phil Kearney, vocal director Tania Spence and choreographer Nikki Lenaghan.

GSODA has helped the cast tackle some of its difficult themes, inviting guest speakers to talk about gun violence and hosting talks about how cast members are coping with issues raised through the show.