The modern, eccentric musical, “Be More Chill,” will be premiering on the Big Island for the first time beginning this weekend.
The Hilo Community Players and the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center are collaborating to put on a show that will showcase performers and technicians from the university as well as from the community.
“This has been a collaboration between the Performing Arts Center and the Hilo Community Players, and it has been a great co-production,” said director Rachel Klein. “We’ve had members of both organizations working together and pooling our resources, which really benefits the community members and students involved in the production.”
Klein is directing, Rachel Edwards is the music and vocal director, and Nadia Schlosser is the choreographer. Edwards also will conduct a live orchestra to accompany the large cast.
“This is the biggest cast we’ve had in a while, so it’s been really fun to have so many people, especially young people, involved,” Klein said. “It has been fun. Our technicians have worked so hard with the huge cast, and we’re so fortunate to have such a large stage and theater, so we can accommodate a large ensemble with many elements.”
“Be More Chill” follows average teenager Jeremy Heere, played by Christopher Kocian, who has a hard time fitting in. That is, until he finds out about “The Squip,” played by Ioane Boshard, a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires.
“This tells a story about computers, AI, and how a teenagers may use those things to cope with their life,” Klein said. “It’s a very relatable and modern story with so much great music. We’re lucky we could bring something so new and unique here for the first time.”
The musical is mostly songs with plenty of heavy dance ensemble pieces to bring it together. High school and college students as well as seasoned theater actors have the opportunity to show their stuff on the stage for two weekends this month.
The Tony-nominated musical will be showing at the UH Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. The next performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29.
“People can expect to be impressed by the amazing talent we have here on this stage,” Klein said. “There are so many amazing people that have a hand in the musical and I think audiences will be excited to see what we have in store.”
Tickets are available online at hiloplayers.org. Tickets purchased at the door will be $5 more.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.