Clueless (musical)

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Clueless
The Musical
Clueless (musical, logo).jpg
Promotional poster for the original Off-Broadway production.
MusicVarious (2018 version)
KT Tunstall (2024 version)
Lyrics Glenn Slater (2024 version)
Book Amy Heckerling
Basis Clueless
by Amy Heckerling
PremiereNovember 20, 2018: The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, New York City
Productions2018 Off-Broadway
2024 Bromley
2025 West End

Clueless (also known as Clueless, The Musical) is a musical with a book by Amy Heckerling based on her 1995 film of the same name, itself loosely based on Jane Austen's 1815 novel Emma , updating the setting to modern-day Beverly Hills. [1] [2]

Contents

The musical originally premiered as a jukebox musical Off-Broadway on November 20, 2018, with an official opening on December 11, in the Pershing Square Signature Center's Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre. Performances ran through January 12, 2019.

A new version of the musical with original music by KT Tunstall and with lyrics by Glenn Slater, began previews at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley from 12 to 24 February 2024, before being announced to open in London's West End at the Trafalgar Theatre from February 2025.

Productions

Off-Broadway (2018)

The musical originally opened Off-Broadway at The Pershing Square Signature Center, produced by The New Group, on November 20, 2018, for a limited engagement until January 12, 2019. [3] The production was directed by Kristin Hanggi, choreographed by Kelly Devine and the show's music supervision, arrangements and orchestration was provided by Ethan Popp. The production's design team included scenery by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by Amy Clark, lighting by Jason Lyons, sound by Gareth Owen, and projections by Darrel Maloney. [4] As a non-traditional jukebox musical, the show used '80s and '90s songs as the entire score, with lyric changes to fit the scene. It features classics such as "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia, "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child, "Kids in America" by Kim Wilde, and "Beautiful Life" by Ace of Base.

Bromley (2024)

A new version of the musical made its UK premiere in a try-out run at the Churchill Theatre, in Bromley from 12 to 24 February 2024. The new version features an original score by KT Tunstall and Glenn Slater and was directed by Sarna Lapine. [5]

West End (2025)

On 9 September 2024, it was announced that the musical will open in London's West End at the Trafalgar Theatre from February 2025, with Rachel Kavanaugh replacing Lapine as director, with Kelly Devine as choreographer. [6] Emma Flynn & Keelan McAuley, who played Cher Horowitz & Josh Lucas respectively, will both reprise their roles for the West End production. Full casting and creative teams have been announced in January 2025. [7]

Cast and characters

CharacterOff-Broadway [8] Bromley [9]
20182024
Cher Horowitz Dove Cameron Emma Flynn
Dionne DavenportZurin VillanuevaMadison McBride
Tai FrasierEphie AardemaAnnie Southall
Josh LucasDave Thomas BrownKeelan McAuley
Mel Horowitz
Alphonse Hall
DMV Instructor
Chris Hoch Ian Kelsey
Amber MariensTessa Grady ?
Christian StovitzJustin MortellitiSolomon Davy
Miss Geist
Millie Stoeger
Megan Sikora Julie Yammanee
HeatherSara Andreas ?
LucyDanielle Marie GonzalezJacqueline Hughes
Murray DuvallGilbert L. Bailey IISimeon Wynne
Travis BirkenstockWill ConnollyOwen Lloyd
Elton TisciaBrett ThieleTom Liggins
SummerTalya Groves ?
Sean HollidayDarius Jordan Lee ?
MaxL’ogan J’ones ?


Musical numbers

Original Off-Broadway production

Act I
SongOriginal artistPerformer(s)
"Beautiful Life" Ace of Base Cher and Ensemble
"Shoop" Salt-N-Pepa Murray and Male Ensemble
"Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" Spin Doctors Cher, Josh, Teachers and Female Ensemble
"No Scrubs" TLC Cher and Ensemble
"You Gotta Be" Des'ree Cher, Dionne and Ensemble
"How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" Laura Branigan Mr. Hall, Miss Geist, Cher, Dionne and Ensemble
"U Can't Touch This" MC Hammer Company
"Supermodel" Jill Sobule Cher, Dionne, Tai and Ensemble
"Barbie Girl" Aqua Cher, Dionne, Tai, Murray and Female Ensemble
"Groove Is in the Heart" Deee-Lite Tai, Murray and Company
"Torn" Ednaswap Cher and Josh
Act II
SongOriginal artistPerformer(s)
"My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" En Vogue Tai, Cher, Dionne and Female Ensemble
"A Girl Like You" Edwyn Collins Christian, Cher, Dionne, Tai and Ensemble
"Dammit" Blink-182 Cher, Josh, The Band and Ensemble
"Dammit" (Reprise)Blink-182Cher and Josh
"Bye Bye Bye" NSYNC Cher, Christian and Company
"Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm" Crash Test Dummies Travis
"What's Up?" 4 Non Blondes Cher
"She's So High" Tal Bachman Cher and Josh
"You Get What You Give" New Radicals Cher and Company
"Kids in America" Kim Wilde Full Company

Critical response

Clueless, The Musical received mixed reviews. [10] Frank Rizzo of Variety called the narrative "lightweight" but praised the overall look and tone of the show. Rizzo, describing Kelly Devine's choreography, said "its teen-energy moves are a constant pleasure". Rizzo also said that "Beowulf Boritt’s design essentials are rad and Amy Clark’s costumes recall the too-cool-to-care designs of the period and its stylish plaids and pleats". Rizzo also praised the music selection for show, calling Amy Heckerling's reworking of the lyrics "crafty". [11]

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter found the show "hit-or-miss". Rooney praised that the show stuck closely to the original's plot but criticized that there was no element of surprise. Rooney wrote that "in comparison to other teen classics retooled for the stage, like Mean Girls , Heathers: The Musical or Bring It On , the show rarely steps out from the shadow of its screen source with anything new to offer." [12]

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References

  1. Mazmanian, Melissa. "Reviving Emma in a Clueless World: The Current Attraction to a Classic Structure. Persuasions Online: Occasional Papers No. 3. Fall 1999. Jane Austen Society of North America website. Accessed November 12, 2013.
  2. Stern, Lesley. "Emma in Los Angeles" Clueless as a remake of the book and the city. Archived October 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Australian Humanities Review website, 1997. Accessed November 12, 2013.
  3. Gans, Andrew. "Clueless Musical, Starring Dove Cameron, Opens December 11". Playbill . Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  4. Franklin, Marc J. "A Look at Clueless, The Musical Off-Broadway". Playbill . Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  5. Darvill, Josh (November 2023). "New Clueless musical adaptation to make UK premiere". Stageberry. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  6. "Clueless musical heads to West End with music from KT Tunstall". Radio Times. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  7. "Full cast announced for West End premiere of CLUELESS THE MUSICAL". January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  8. Evans, Greg (October 9, 2018). "Clueless' Off Broadway Musical Announces Full Cast; Opening Date Set". Deadline. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  9. "Clueless The Musical casting revealed for London Bromley tryout | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. January 15, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  10. Gans, Andrew. "Read Reviews for Off-Broadway's Clueless Musical, Starring Dove Cameron". Playbill . Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  11. Rizzo, Frank (December 12, 2018). "Off Broadway Review: 'Clueless' the Musical". Variety. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  12. Rooney, David (December 11, 2018). "'Clueless, The Musical': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 20, 2018.