Aubrey Burchell stars in Scottdale theater's production of 'Heathers'

Jun. 13—The pressure to behave badly can be overwhelming if it means being accepted by the cool clique.

That theme is explored in the darkly comic "Heathers," a musical based on the cult classic 1988 film of the same name, running Thursday through Sunday at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale.

The story follows Veronica Sawyer, a high school senior who longs to be like the three popular Heathers who rule fictional Westerberg High School. Unfortunately, the Heathers also are cruel bullies.

When Veronica is able to get the Heathers out of detention, she is welcomed into their exclusive club — only to learn that she, too, is expected to bully kids she used to call friends.

Matters grow more complicated when Veronica starts a relationship with a new student named Jason Dean, and the lovebirds resolve to rid Westerberg of the Heathers — forever.

"It's the love story that drives the whole show," said director Chris Schaffer of Belle Vernon.

Veronica and Jason are played by "America's Got Talent" veteran Aubrey Burchell of North Huntingdon and Aiden Cheek, a theater studies major at PennWest California University.

"Those two have the most difficult roles," Schaffer said. "There are social pressures on Veronica to fit in, and her relationship with a social outcast is almost like fuel for disaster.

"Jason Dean is the most withdrawn person at the school, the one who sticks to himself and makes no real emotional connection with anyone," he said. "Then he has this relationship blossom with Veronica, the nerdy, not-popular kid who suddenly gets in with the most popular girls in school."

Always relevant

The show touches on a number of topics that are both sensitive and socially germane, Schaffer said.

"One thing I like about 'Heathers,' unfortunately, is that it's never not relevant," he said. "Coming out of the isolation of covid, seeing the uptick in school violence, with everything happening culturally right now, it felt like it was a good time for it."

Regardless of the era, there is always social pressure on young people to fit in, with anxiety and depression surrounding it, he said.

"It's the nature of that age, regardless of the time, and even more now with social media," he said.

The comic touches and the musical numbers insure that the message isn't too heavy, Schaffer noted.

"It does a good job of balancing out the seriousness with those things that are funny, so that it doesn't hit you too hard," he said. "I can't say enough good things about the cast and how great they've been through all of it."

One of the challenges for director and cast has been Burchell's commitment to being an on-call performer for "America's Got Talent Presents Super Stars Live" in Las Vegas.

In the midst of rehearsals, Burchell flew to Las Vegas in May for a weekend with the show.

"You always worry in the back of your head that someone's going to pick her up and she's just going to disappear, but I can't say enough about her professionalism," Schaffer said.

"I've done shows with her as an actor, but this is my first time directing her. Her level of professionalism and dedication is insane," he said. "With all the other things she has going on in her life, to know that she was fully dedicated to a production in small-town Western PA, when you know she's probably going to become bigger and bigger over the years, is pretty amazing."

The performance will be accompanied by a seven-piece musical ensemble, directed by Aaron Gray. Choreographer is Kristine Lowanse.

"Heathers" is suggested for mature audiences.

Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the theater at 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale.

Tickets are $20 each at 724-887-0887 or geyerpac.com.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .