Be More Chill (Off-Broadway)

See it if You want to see something new, fun and original. Young and fresh with a unique story and super talented actors/singers.

Don't see it if You expect...anything...this is pretty off the wall. Part love story, part sci-fi, part coming of age.

Also I think as much as I liked this (and I liked it very much) it will only get better with a move to a Broadway house.... Read more Read less

See it if Another musical about usual teenage insecurties but w/ a digital twist Often clever & sincere but nothing new to say Tons of energy & talent

Don't see it if Unfair comparisons to Evan Hansen will abound but it's just not as vocally complex or textured Very loud w/drowned out lyrics & lame choreo

See it if It is fun, fun, fun. . Nothing deep but it relates to High School. life today and forever. Special talent by Salazar and Roland &Tam..

Don't see it if Always a full house. Noise may be too much for some "older" folks. Many parents hung out in the lobby Tickets are hard to get..

See it if you enjoy discovering new musicals, fan of Joe Iconis, enjoy young casts, reliving high school days, outcasts becoming heroes, mix of music

Don't see it if don't like loud music or screaming teen audiences, shows about high school, sci-fi plots, or expecting to see a "Dear Evan Hansen"

See it if Contemporary musical of teen-age trappings and angst set to pop-rock beat w/ demonstrative fanbase. "Evan Hansen" adjacent.

Don't see it if Only hits stride when male leads hit the stage, until then...waiting. Once they exit...waiting. For 2.5 hrs. Waiting.

Also B'way bound and taking the cult with it.

See it if You love modern rock musicals with upbeat scores (one of the best in recent memory) and timeless messages about being true to yourself.

Don't see it if You don’t think you’d relate at all to a show about high schoolers.

See it if Funny story of a boy want to fit in. That is how him adventure begin, for he thinks he is a lose

Don't see it if you laugh a lot during this show.

Also A show for everyone, great dancing and very funny. It remind me of Little Shop Of Horror. Things start not so good, goes good and go into interesting. You should good see this wonderful show. Its going to Broadway 2019. Plus the whole cast was excellent.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy a high-energy rock musical about a "magic pill" but things aren't what they seem. Fast paced, great songs, want the soundtrack!

Don't see it if You prefer a talky drama instead, or if you don't have earplugs (music super loud)

See it if you want to have fun, you're a teenager, you enjoy a talented cast, interested in sci fi & musical comedy, want tips on how to be popular.

Don't see it if you're looking for great, memorable music, a realistic premise, you don't want to relive high school & you don't like happy endings.

Also The play is lots of fun bringing smiles to your face through most of it. There are places, especially in the first act, that need some editing before going to Broadway. More diversity in the music would also enhance the play.... Read more Read less

See it if you must see what all the kids are talking about, and you enjoy coming of age stories with a quirky bent.

Don't see it if you don't like sci-fi, rock music, or excited teens in the audience.

See it if you enjoy sci-fi stories and plots about young people, peer-pressure and growing-up.

Don't see it if if you prefer mature topics, are sensitive about drug abuse, or do not care for sci-fi themes.

See it if a high-energy brightly colored (costumes & scenery) show about teenage angst and popularity with a sort of sci-fi element; mostly sung

Don't see it if you don't like loud (the fellow next to me did not). The music can be loud especially in some of the ensemble numbers.

Also A higher energy version of Dear Evan Hansen & (I couldn't put my finger on it at the time but another reviewer hit it on the head) Little Shop of Horrors.
It is not nearly as moving as Dear Evan Hansen (although "Michael In The Bathroom" did move me.) But it is so much fun.
So so nice that my age group was a minority for a change. Theater's continual (& successfull) attempts at inclusiveness should be a role model for world leaders.
A great way to spend a very hot day.... Read more Read less

See it if a teen-set show that essentially feels like an homage to the 1980s, 1990s, and now—with futuristic spins and a bit of 1950s sci-fi—appeals.

Don't see it if expecting either serious OR light teen issues—content can be uncomfortably raunchy, dangerous (drugs/alcohol), and inappropriate for tweens.

Also A talented cast leads this Mean Girls-meets-Dear Evan Hansen-meets-Ready Player One-meets-The Matrix mash-up. Based upon the late Ned Vizzini’s 2004 novel, the musical adaptation of Be More Chill will draw theatre into the “now” of a high school/college students (mostly in attendance the day I saw it). Vizzini was a product of the early 1980s, invested in timeless themes: low self-esteem, young love, sexuality, depression, parental issues, and technology from both a historical (1950s sci-fi) and personal (John Hughes films /teen stereotypes) nostalgia. Dark topics are sometimes veiled by peppy music (some songs soar—others are forgettable). BMC is certainly edgier than mere teen fluff like the beach party films of the 1960s. At times, though, it’s too adult for teens and too young for adults. Parts feel derivative, but there’s a fresh spin to teen dramas thanks to sci-fi and video games. Avoid if you can’t empathize with youths—or dislike teens parodied and dumbed down on stage.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a teen or felt like an outsider when you were one. The kids, especially the theatre kids I talked to in the audience loved it.

Don't see it if You are expecting something profound. It’s a high concept show that has I think has limited adult appeal. Just OK.

See it if you liked the cast album and want an easy fluffy show. Think Dear Evan Hansen meets Little Shop meets Mean Girls meets Matrix.

Don't see it if you want an interesting plot. Basic high school drama set to fun and catchy tunes.

Also The response to this show from the fans of the cast album are amazing - sold out for the rest of the Signature run! I listened to the album quite a bit and read a lot of forums before seeing the show. I really liked it, but there was something just off or missing.
The music did seem too loud for the stage - it will sound better at the Lyceum (bigger space) in Feb. Overall, a simple enjoyable show.... Read more Read less

See it if are a teenager

Don't see it if felt it was a cross between Mean Girls and Dear Evan Hansen for the high-school set who have not been to theater before

See it if you want to have an enjoyable time watching a hard-working, talented cast -- even if your teenage years are long ago and far away.

Don't see it if you have no interest in teen-age angst and if loud, repetitive music annoys you.

See it if A fun time in the theater. Interesting concept well executed. Enjoyable score.Energetic cast.

Don't see it if You aren't interested in shows focusing on adolescent issues.

See it if You like fresh new musicals that are also a little bit quirky. Want to see some fab performances by the whole cast.

Don't see it if You don't like teen coming of age stories or pop/rock musicals or shows with elements of science fiction.

Also I had such a great time at this show. I can watch Jason Tam in anything and he is a delight as the sinister Squip. Will Roland proves he is an up and coming star. George Salazar is incredible. And the rest of the supporting cast is amazing too. I have heard many describe the show as Dear Evan Hansen meets Little Shop of Horrors, and I would say that is 100% accurate. I am certain this show will see more life beyond this limited off-Broadway run.... Read more Read less

See it if You like stories about high school and teenage life. Want to see some fine young performers having a great time.

Don't see it if Struggle with loud music and teen-oriented content.

See it if you want a fun romp of a high school music with a cliched but accurate lens on the angst of adolescence; or to smile and laugh with teens.

Don't see it if you're over the age of 30, have a low tolerance for the ridiculous/absurd/deus ex machina, you've been listening too closely to the hype

Also Turns out I love musicals. So I had a great time. But I am pretty surprised at the word of mouth of this silly, silly musical. It basically makes no sense and stretches credulity multiple times, but that's not really the point. It's about the pressure to fit in, the yearning to be seen, the stress of having to make your way in the cruel, unfeeling world of high school.

Performances are good, music is good, songs are fun, but the lyrics are often super-banal.... Read more Read less

See it if Iconis a future bright star on Broadway. Clever entertainment with important messages without being an after-school special. Broadway-bound

Don't see it if If you cannot get a ticket

See it if you have a kid to bring, or ever were a kid, especially an unpopular one. Kids adore it. The applause was thundering!

Don't see it if Very loud shows are not your thing or you were a very popular kid.

See it if You want a little Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and Little Shop of Horrors—without what made all those so charming.

Don't see it if A fully fleshed out show. This felt half-done, and I’m worried about what this will do on Broadway. It felt like Toxic Avenger on 50th...

Also This wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t good. There’s a lot of hype, and it was semi-enjoyable. What was disappointing is these other shows that don’t try to straddle comedy and drama, or do so with a lot better results. There are some really great shows playing right now. This just wasn’t one of them.... Read more Read less

See it if For a feel good show with catchy songs and fun lyrics. Great performances all around. Give yourself a break and enjoy some fluff.

Don't see it if You want an actual story. This one could be summed up in about one sentence.