Those who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s might know Heathers as an R-rated comedy film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. It unapologetically digs into mature themes like violence, sex and suicide—even making light of them with satire and black humour. It’s also a cult classic, having been adapted into a musical and a Grace Victoria Cox-led TV reboot on Paramount Network.
Whistler Secondary School (WSS) musical theatre teacher Conor Niwinski and his pupils are bringing the teen edition of Heathers to life this May. Their script tones down the most provocative parts of the original, but they believe the story’s harder-hitting content is worth appreciating.
“I think the story resonates really well with high school students, and for anyone that goes into it with an open mind, there’s a lot of good messages in the show,” Niwinski opines. “The music is some of the catchiest that you’ll have in any high school musical.”
Cast members Kiara Felice, Solomon Denessen and Fiona Campbell agree.
“Not everyone sees it, but Heathers does have a good message about raising suicide awareness, talking about keeping your friends close and stuff like that,” says Campbell, who portrays the socially ostracized Martha Dunnstock.
‘What high school students are feeling’
Niwinski is in just his second year helming the WSS musical theatre program. His students performed Fame in 2023, which he felt was a better way to ease them into the world of acting, singing and dancing. The teacher recognizes some teens may not properly grasp the satirical nature of Heathers, but interest in the play remained high so he committed.
As did Denessen, who willingly gave up a full season of rugby to join the show as jock Ram Sweeney.
“I’m not as big of a theatre person as I was in Grade 6 and 7, but one musical that I’ve been consistently obsessed with is Heathers,” Denessen says. “At the start of the year, I had no plan to do any sort of theatre, but when I heard what the play was, [I changed my mind]. There’s a lot of really heavy topics … but they encapsulate a lot of what high school students are feeling.”
Generally speaking, the cast has bonded well since rehearsals began last November. Actors represent Grades 8 through 12, including tenth-graders like Campbell and Denessen as well as Felice, the lone Grade 11 student who co-stars as bookworm Heather Duke.
“There’s quite a lot of casting involved in Heathers so you get to meet more people and work with different students,” says Felice. “I definitely feel like I’ve made friendships that I can keep even after graduation, and there’s a lot more of a confidence boost being on stage with a huge chosen family.”
A capable cast
Another key source of confidence for the WSS gang is their showrunner and leader.
Niwinski didn’t have an excess of support when tackling Fame, but his passion and dedication convinced a bevy of youth to jump on last year’s bandwagon. The train has gained steam over the last semester or two, with parents volunteering to help make Heathers a reality. The cast has nearly doubled in size.
“This is probably the largest show we’re going to do for a long time,” Niwinski expects. “I think it’s one of the most talented casts I’ve ever gotten to work with. Vocally, it’s the strongest class we’ll have for a while. It will be a show definitely worth seeing.”
According to his students, Niwinski isn’t typically one to dole out public praise—so his belief in them is received with immense gratitude.
“That means a lot,” says Campbell in response to her teacher’s words. “It really helps with the confidence side of things, for me at least because I know I get very nervous. Knowing that he’s there and he thinks we can pull this off really helps me get out on stage.”
Adds Denessen: “The quality of the theatre program, as I’ve noticed, has gone up tremendously. Mr. Niwinski has very high expectations for the musical and I think he is willing to put in more work to reach those expectations. That makes us strive to be as good as we can.”
Finally, Felice hopes she and her group can hit all the right notes on opening night.
“It’s honestly heartwarming to hear that Mr. Niwinski believes in us, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come to make him that proud,” she says. “And I also really hope that the audience receives our play well, [seeing that] we students are mature enough to take the subject, put it into a piece of art and perform it.”
Catch Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition in the Maury Young Arts Centre at 7 p.m. each night from May 8 to 10, and at 2 p.m. on May 11.
