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How teenagers resurrected Broadway's latest hit musical Be More Chill

When Be More Chill opened a few years ago, it received tepid reviews from critics. Then something unexpected happened — the musical gained a young fan base who refused to let it go. 
CBC Radio ·
Will Roland appears with the cast of the stage production Be More Chill. (Maria Baranova)

When Be More Chill premiered at the Two River Theater in New Jersey a few years ago, it received tepid reviews from critics and eventually shut down. Then something unexpected happened — the musical gained a young fan base who refused to let it go. 

Be More Chill became a huge hit with teenagers who discovered its music on streaming platforms and made it go viral. Now the show has re-opened on Broadway.

Joe Tracz (left) and Joe Iconis are the creators of the new musical Be More Chill. They call the show "a celebration of misfits" and want the audience "to leave feeling like they can carry that sense of joy and celebration in their own lives as well." (Nigel Hunt/CBC)

Based on the 2004 young adult novel by Ned Vizzini, the musical is about un-chill teenagers who are trying to survive high school. They take a pill that has a mini-computer in it called a Squip, which makes them act cool. 

Joe Tracz is the co-writer of Be More Chill. He joined q's Tom Power to talk about how young people changed the trajectory of the show and his understanding of success.

Click 'listen' near the top of this page to hear the full interview.

— Produced by Katie Toth

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