The NYC Girls Night You Didn’t Know You Needed: Heathers The Musical
- Teresa Hope
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Heathers The Musical has officially arrived at New World Stages with a darkly funny, high-energy take on teen drama, murder, and the twisted politics of popularity. It’s the kind of chaotic fun that begs to be part of your next girls night.
If you’re new here, we keep things simple and stylish with a 3-part breakdown: show details, an honest review, and tips for planning the ultimate NYC girls night out around the show.
Consider This Your Hall Pass: Heathers At a Glance
Full Title: Heathers The Musical
Theater: New World Stages, Stage 1, 340 West 50th Street, New York, map
Main Cast: Lorna Courtney, Casey Likes, McKenzie Kurtz, Olivia Hardy, Elizabeth Teeter
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, 15 minute intermission
Lyrics and Music: Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe
Tickets: See Availability Here
Plot: Heathers: The Musical, inspired by the iconic 1989 cult film, follows high schooler Veronica Sawyer as she navigates the dark social politics of Westerberg High after falling in with the ruthless popular clique, the Heathers. Things spiral out of control when she teams up with the mysterious new kid, J.D., and their rebellion takes a deadly turn.
Class Notes: What We Thought of Heathers The Musical
I went into Heathers with a blank slate. It’s been years since I saw the movie, and I remembered almost nothing. That ended up being a good thing. I got to experience this stage version totally fresh, and what surprised me most was how the show manages to feel both dark and lighthearted at the same time. Murder? Yes. Teen drama? Of course. But also—ghosts in hot pink nightgowns. It’s absurd, stylish, and oddly hilarious in all the best ways.
One of my favorite moments from Act I was “Freeze Your Brain,” sung by JD, the trench coat-wearing new kid with a lot of feelings and a suspicious relationship with 7-Eleven. The performance hit this perfect mix of quirky and emotional, and the song really stuck with me. Right after that, we see Veronica, our awkward, outcast heroine, get pulled into the world of the Heathers. There’s a big makeover moment where she transforms from nerdy loner to confident queen bee. Her blue outfit signaled the shift, but the on-stage reveal itself felt like it could have landed harder. A little more buildup or theatrical flair would have taken it to the next level.
“Candy Store” was another standout. It felt like the Heathers’ theme song: sharp, over-the-top, and full of chaotic energy. And “The Me Inside of Me” walked this weird, wonderful line between satire and sincerity that really worked.
Act II is where the show leaned into its darker side. There are multiple deaths, and those characters never fully leave the stage. They come back to haunt, taunt, and lurk, visually and emotionally. But somehow, it’s still funny. That’s the magic trick of Heathers. It takes serious subject matter and wraps it in this strange bubble of camp, catchy music, and stylized chaos. The show brushes up against real darkness without staying there too long.
“Seventeen” was a standout in the second half. It gave us a breather from the madness, a brief and sincere glimpse into what it might look like if these teens actually wanted something simple and kind. That moment hit harder than I expected.
If you’re planning an NYC girls night and your group loves a little mess with your musical theater, Heathers is a solid pick. It’s stylish, twisted, and weirdly fun. Just don’t expect moral clarity or legal follow-through. By curtain call, everyone seems fine. Three people are dead, sure, but the show sweeps it under the rug with a wink and a big group number. That’s Heathers for you.
A Killer Plan: The Perfect Post-Heathers NYC Girls Night
After the final bow and all the dark laughs, take your girls to the open courtyard near the theater for a relaxed post-show bite. We grabbed dinner from Barking Dog and highly recommend the blackened salmon sandwich. The menu had so many tempting options that picking just one was a challenge. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Erin Morton, who plays Martha, hanging out just like we did!
For a bit of extra girly fun, book a session at Lip Lab to create your own custom lipstick, because no Heathers-inspired night is complete without the perfect pop of color. Or for some free and limited-time-only options, check out our Pop Up Calendar for all the latest NYC happenings.
We want to see your Heathers night come to life, so grab your besties, snap those memories, and tag us @popupgirlsnyc!
