Be More Chill (NYC)

See it if you like quirky teenage angst with a pseudo-sci-fi​ twist. Great music but half the time clumsy lyrics. Great acting.

Don't see it if Odd choreography and longer than it needs to be.

Also The show didn't translate well to a Broadway stage. Off-Broadway​ much more was forgivable and thoroughly enjoyable. Felt contrived and a bit cheap. Should've been shortened​/streamlined.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy stories set in high school w/ a sci-fi twist. Reminiscent of Little Shop of Horrors.

Don't see it if You are looking for something more serious. I saw it off broadway and enjoyed it better in the intimate venue but it's still very fun.

See it if You want to see something that feels truly original, clever and fun without being fluffy and without meaning. GREAT sets/lights/costumes.

Don't see it if You’re looking for deep, dark or dangerous. While this could actually be described with any of those words it’s simultaneously none of them.

Also I saw this off-Broadway and loved it. This Broadway version is even better. It retains all the charm and heart and style but the lighting and sound here are so superior it was like seeing a whole new show!... Read more Read less

See it if Loved it off broadway thanks to a raucous crowd. The broadway audience was dead, which saw me really see how weak the show is.

Don't see it if You want a deep show with an important message,

See it if you're an unsophisticated post-Millennial who might enjoy a loud, shrill, silly "sci-fi lite" musical PSA re: being cool vs. being yourself.

Don't see it if u expect more than just shallow stereotypes; u don't like repetitive lyrics; u don't like repetitive lyrics; u don't like repetitive lyrics.

Also While it's true that I am not the target audience for this show (I'm not quite sure how the very niche audience of angsty 13-15 year olds will sustain a Broadway run), I still find the number of positive reviews inexplicable. Even the occasional laugh ("If you love someone, you put your pants on") gets the sledgehammer treatment with a 5-minute song, where that line goes from funny to cute to cloying to downright irritating. I wish I could take a chill pill, but this witless, hammy, hackneyed, basic show really got under my skin...... Read more Read less

See it if Will Roland and George Salazar are still on target.. Lighting is well used. Huge crowd of young folks loved it.

Don't see it if Enjoyed it more in smaller space.. Sound blasting. The older theaters need elevators and more Men/Ladies rooms.

See it if you're 4 everything a musical on young people & our cyber world is, all rolled up into a fun story of relationship adapting w/real language.

Don't see it if you do not like the way young people speak today, do not like loud music or do not care for another story of young people finding their way.

See it if you are or remember being a teenager in high school. Sci fi pills aside the play explores the pain of transitioning to adulthood for everyon

Don't see it if peppy loud music disturbs you. I didn't need my ear plugs but I brought them, you could bring yours.

See it if Out-of-step nerd leans on magic-potion pill to be helped through teen stressors in an out-of-breath musical.Arrives to B'way w/ cult intact.

Don't see it if Only hits stride when male leads hit stage.Until then...waiting.Once they exit...waiting.For 2.5 hours...waiting.Wait at stage door 2get old

See it if Young man who wants to be in the in crowd and funny and silly adventure begins.

Don't see it if You didn't like to laugh or you want a serious show.

Also Saw this show Off Broadway 2018, it was funny, silly. It's great for the young teen or if you are young at heart.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a musical where there is a good message for young people. The lyrics are intelligent and surprisingly, so is this entertaining show

Don't see it if you don't like a cast of mainly young people or only like mature drama or musicals.

Also I expected a show like Rock of Ages, very loud and very silly. This show which has an enormous young following, is not only entertaining but has several important messages for old and especially the young. The real important things of life are not popularity but the value of your friends, family and your own integrity.With intelligent lyrics and catchy melodies and striking staging these messages are expressed. There is some language so don't bring very young children.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a teen or tween and your ears are already numb. You will see anything for a bargain price.

Don't see it if you are not the target audience and U still value your hearing; story line cute but not enough to make up for lousy jerky dancing, music.

Also Give this one a miss if you are not a young teen.

See it if You really want to see a high school musical that made it to Broadway. A super interesting concept, great acting, staging, singing.

Don't see it if You aren't an angsty teenager. The story is insipid and silly, the songs are mostly forgettable. Some funny moments, but so over the top.

Also Not my cup of tea on the whole, but not an unenjoyable night of theater. If you can just go with it and accept the fact that it's going to be ridiculous, it's quite funny and worth the production value alone. But the story is schlocky.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy high-energy musicals that deal with high school/teen issues. Appreciated for entertainment value, but probably a polarizing show.

Don't see it if you don't like the ridiculous storyline & are looking for something more intelligent, have no patience for loud screaming teens in audience

See it if you are under 20.This is a show for the young 'uns.It is hackneyed, totally predictable, dull.Nothing about this was new or fresh.

Don't see it if you are looking for something fresh.At intermission,there was a mass exodus of adults.Show is probably terrific for teens, not for adults.

See it if Not really scifi—this level of surveillance is pretty much here; accurate that char’s 1st exposure to data netwrk drives purchasing decision

Don't see it if you don’t like period pieces because every show you see after this will look aged and dated AF

Also Liked how this show personified cloud computing & snuck in sponsored content & banner ads (but hope it doesn't set a precedent!). Music not to my taste but I left w/ a bounce in my step.

The jokes are juvenile, but BMC’s guidelines for personal connection in the digital age will only become more pertinent w/ time. It’s possible to find older millennials who aren’t active on social media, don’t stream, or remember when it was acceptable for today’s news to feature events that happened yesterday. But it’s unsurprising that BMC fully resonates for the later generation—which is far more attuned to how high the social penalty is for opting out of network technology (as they'll never be able to procure many services, run businesses, or conduct research without it).

It’s not a bad thing that BMC is geared to young adults/older kids. The show assumes an ambient understanding of tech connectivity that we older viewers will have to grow into, rather than one they will have to grow out of.... Read more Read less

See it if See comments

Don't see it if See comments

Also Imagine that a millennial geek crosses with Cinderfella in Oz and Hairsprays Baltimore. Add a high tech mind controlling drug and stand back. Homages to Rent, Hair , Evan Hansen as well, not always favorable. Forgettable music, silly songs but A for energy level, decent choreography considering. 20 somethings will love it.... Read more Read less

See it if a show geared to teens & sci-fi fans; High energy cast (including 4 understudies who were excellent); positive message; crowd pleaser

Don't see it if looking for more adult entertainment; somewhat repetitive score; positive but simplistic message; I realize I'm not the target demographic.

Also There was a tech glitch where a prop (a bed) was supposed to be onstage & didn't appear. The actors on stage went on as if nothing was wrong. Finally the show was halted & the bed was brought onstage to cheers from the audience. Really impressed by how the cast handled this situation.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to experience one of the best scores ever written for musical theater, couched in a coming-of-age tale with a twist.

Don't see it if you don’t have a sense of humor, love originality, or recall the gauntlet that is high school. But, see it anyway & recapture those things.

Also This is going to be one of those shows that most will enjoy, but those who “get” it will have an unbreakable affinity for. I’m concerned this might be beyond the grasp of the Broadway reviewer curmudgeon set, but for anyone going in with an open mind and heart, this will resonate. Easily the best new musical so far this season.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy something new, clever use of music, scifi pots, and the teenage experience

Don't see it if You want a traditional sounding musical or one with great complexity.

See it if a high school-rooted, cyber-world-inspired fresh new musical with questionable themes, sci-fi flair, and irreverent attitudes delights.

Don't see it if seeking smart lyrics (music is solid; the words, cliche), unpredictable work, or a moral that is more than the obvious “always be yourself."

Also I saw Be More Chill off-Broadway, piqued sufficiently to see it again. Its uniqueness and “techno-geek” feel are alluring. The music, too, can be catchy. In short, I was curious to see how the quirky show evolved in its transfer. I still rate this Broadway version in the “B-“ range as it’s missing a certain ineffable quality to give it charm, smoothness, or depth. Will Roland is perfect as protagonist Jeremy Heere and George Salazar as best friend Michael is exceptional (“Michael in the Bathroom” is still the highlight it's been since pre-Broadway). Jason Tam (the SQUIP) and Stephanie Hsu (Christine) nail their characters. But is it all too much caricature? The show also feels too “old” and mature for today’s teens/preteens, exacerbated by many actors being 30-somethings, with sex, drugs, underage drinking, and fires handled flippantly (sometimes unacceptably). There’s still untapped potential here, but moving the show to Broadway didn’t release anything new. Still, it’s entertaining.... Read more Read less

See it if you are average or lower intellect 12-16 year old, have that intellectual level, like Will Roland or George Salazar, or are related to cast.

Don't see it if you avoid yet another high school coming of age story comparing poorly to Fast Times/Grease, cheap sexual and LGBTQ jokes, biracial romance.

Also I won tickets to this performance in a raffle, and would not have spent even a nominal sum to buy them. Awkward or geeky teenagers trying to short cut to coolness without taking the time and effort to consider, develop, and value their individual specialness is as old as Greek tragedy. At least Fast Times had character development and genuinely funny bits, Grease had attractive actors and memorable, moving, melodic music, and both reflected intelligent examination of the respective era. Be More Chill has noise. I enjoyed Jason Tam’s portrayal of The Squip, however: Interesting, meaningful lines, novel costumes, and craftful dancing.... Read more Read less

See it if Growing up's tough, but it's still better than cheating out of it with escapism. Spongebob Musical-ish feels, less mature Dear Evan Hansen.

Don't see it if More for a younger audience. For more mature folks, may feel "been there, done that." Doesn't dig that emotionally deep.

Also Diversity: 2 Asian American characters! Asian female lead who's a badass independent woman and a mixed Asian and White "Keanu Reeves" character.
Ticket from in-person rush for $40. Seat towards the side of the second row.... Read more Read less

See it if You're in the age range roughly 13 to 18 and are looking to see a Broadway show.

Don't see it if You're older than 18 and want to see a Broadway show.

Also I took advantage of a great deal on Show Score even though I am quite a bit older than the intended audience.

I was dismayed to see an understudy slip for four roles, including the two leads.
I decided to root for the underdogs, and I ended up enjoying the show.

One understudy in particular, Talia Suskauer as Chloe, impressed me with her stage presence. But she really amazed me with her aplomb in tackling a scene with a set-piece malfunction!

I had never seen the show before, so I didn't know what to expect. It was the seduction scene in Jake's parents' bedroom. She was going through all her moves until an announcement from the stage manager: "We are experiencing a technical difficulty. Will all actors leave the stage."

After a short hold, the show started up again, and a king-size bed rolled out onto the stage! I realized that the actress had been valiantly continuing with the seduction despite the lack of the bed! She's definitely the understudy of the year in my book!... Read more Read less

See it if you want pop-rock musical w/"after-school-special"-theme re: high school popularity. Earnest, sweet, great performances. Fully engaging.

Don't see it if you want DEAR EVAN HANSEN or SPRING AWAKENING. This is sometimes trite, but tries hard to please. Energetic score w/some clever lyrics.