Creativity Enlivens ‘Be More Chill’ for MLT Stage

Fun music, comedic elements should appeal to audiences

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
July 17, 2025
Posted in: Entertainment

In foreground, from left, are Joe Kosha as Jeremy Heere, Danny Gavlik in one of his several roles as Mr. Reyes, Katie Hall as Jeremy’s love interest Christine Canigula, and Michelle Roque Alvarez as The SQUIP. (Bonnijean Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

When a high school junior finds out there might be an easy way for him to overcome his low self-esteem, advance his social standing, and win the girl of his dreams, he embraces the opportunity ... but at what cost?

That answer and much more can be found in the musical "Be More Chill," which opens Friday at McKeesport Little Theater.

Based on a 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini, with original music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, the show follows Joe Kosha as Jeremy Heere and his classmates as they deal with finding one's identity, popularity, jealousy, betrayal -- theme definitely not confined to the teen years.

The success of the cast recording from an early production drew the attention of some of MLT's actors years before they auditioned. Back in July 2017, that recording reached Cast Album Chart's Top 10, which led to an Off-Broadway version in 2018. It officially opened on Broadway on March 10, 2019.

"I had been listening to that album for years," Kosha said. "I listened to it while I was studying in high school and college. I was very excited when I found out McKeesport Little Theater was doing to do it. I've always wanted to do the show -- to be Jeremy or Michael (his best friend). When I got Jeremy, I was beyond ecstatic."

"Be More Chill" has almost a cult-like following, but for those not familiar with the story, a bit of an explanation is in order.  

Jeremy is the main character, and as such Kosha spends almost all of the show onstage. His best friend is Michael Mell, portrayed by Eli John Fisher, with Katie Hall as his love interest Christine Canigula.

Christine, of course, is not initially interested in Jeremy, but a classmate tells him about the Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor, or SQUIP, which could potentially change his life.

What happens after Jeremy decides to purchase and ingest the SQUIP is related in song, dance, comedic moments, and lots of creativity by all involved. Throw in a little Mountain Dew, Sony, even a familiar shoe store as part of the storyline.

Fisher said he was introduced to "Be More Chill" and became a fan in 2017. "It was one of the first shows that got me into musical theater," he said. Now a musical theater major, Fisher said Michael always was his favorite character.

"I already had the show memorized," Fisher said when he heard about the auditions, so sat down with his vocal coach and started preparing. "It's one of my dream shows of all time. I was in Chicago when I auditioned."

His character's relationship with Jeremy goes through several changes. Fisher explained although he remains a true friend, the SQUIP uses its powers, at one point, to block Jeremy from seeing or hearing Michael.

"Watching Jeremy and the sad choices he's making is difficult for my character," Fisher said, reflected in the song, "Michael in the Bathroom."

Hall said she also was familiar with the show before she auditioned.

"This has been one of my favorite shows since I was 12 -- since I heard that cast recording," Hall said. "I completely fell in love with it, and had wanted to be in it for so long."

As reflected in her song, "I Love Play Rehearsal," Hall's Christine is active in high school theater. Jeremy auditions for an upcoming play, feeling way more confident in doing so under the influence of the SQUIP, which embeds itself in the user's brain.

She said her favorite number is "Halloween," where everyone is at a party, Without spoiling what happens, Hall said that is a key event in her relationship with Jeremy.

Gavin Caligaro said he always gravitates toward "the goofy, silly shows"' as a reason for wanting to direct "Be More Chill." "It gives me a chance to add a bunch of ridiculous, silly bits, and for the cast to feel free to experiment with comedy.

"I've seen this show twice before," Caligaro said. "Once while it was still being edited, Penn State was given the chance to perform a draft with Joe Iconis' assistance. I also saw it on Broadway. I've always loved the music, and have enjoyed witnessing its evolution over the last decade."

The cast of McKeesport Little Theater's latest production, the musical "Be More Chill," is joined by director Gavin Calgary, far left. It opens Friday. (Bonnijean Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

From a Broadway stage to the much smaller, intimate setting of McKeesport Little Theater was one of the challenges Caligaro faced.

"The Broadway show utilized a lot of technology," the director said. "This show has a sort of wholesomeness to it, which allows it to be done simply, with an element of creativity. Rather than focusing on the 'techno-robotic vision, I feel like we focused more on building the characters with some realism."

Caligaro credits lots of creativity from himself and the entire cast with adapting "Be More Chill" for local audiences.

"It was a combined effort from everyone involved to keep the show interesting and energized," he said. "A lot of the cast members are new to me, and I've loved working with them."

For example, a male traditionally has been cast as The SQUIP. Michelle Roque Alvarez. who recently performed as one of the street urchins in "Little Shop of Horrors" at MLT, takes on the crucial role.

"The SQUIP has historiclly been a male," the director said, "but I never considered that necessary to the plot. While Jeremy doesn't change physically, The SQUIP does evolve slightly over the show. Michelle now is giving us a very different take on The SQUIP."

Producer Becky Alexa is among those who were not familiar with "Be More Chill" in advance: "I had not heard of it before. On purpose, I did not look anything up about the show" before rehearsals started.

Alexa explained more about The SQUIP's role.

"She is physically onstage, so the audience will see her," the producer said. The character, she explained, gets into the user's head, can block things like when Jeremy can no longer see Michael, analyzes situations, then "helps" with suggestions to overcome perceived deficiencies,

Alexa said "Michael in the Bathroom" is her favorite song, "The first time he (Fisher) sang that, it was so good. This cast together is so amazing,"

Kosha weighs in on Jeremy's relationship with The SQUIP, too.

"We only see the perspective of Jeremy from The SQUIP," he said, "Its able to hook up with other SQUIPs, but is the more powerful one."

Kosha said from his onstage vantage point throughout most of the show, he loves that he can sit and watch all the moments with everyone else.

Whether a longtime fan or experiencing "Be More Chill" for the first time, Caligaro said, "The music in this show is so much fun. I love the comedic elements the cast has added. When people come see it, they should also notice the background acting that makes this show rewatchable."

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

Cast

Joe Kosha as Jeremy Heere
Katie Hall as Christine Canigula
Eli John Fisher as Michael Mell
Derek Fredrickson as Jake Dillinger
Aubrey Johnson as Rich Goranski
Kaitlyn Majewski as Chloe Valentine
Sadie Mitchell as Brooke Lohst
Maddie Leschak as Jenna Rolan
Danny Gavlik as Mr. Heere, other adult male characters
Michelle Roque Alvarez as The SQUIP

Ensemble -- Logan Deluca, Katie Kronz, Katie Abramowich Good

Production Crew

Director, Gavin Caligaro
Executive Producer, Jennifer R. Vertullo
Producer, Becky Alexa 
Music Director, Lisa Harrier
Choreographer, Dylan Stramaski
Stage Manager, Erin McNamara
Set Construction, Dave Fleming

Originally published July 17, 2025.

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