Kiwi Actors Land Lead Roles in Heathers the Musical Tour
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The global phenomenon Heathers The Musical today unveils the cast for its highly anticipated professional Australasian premiere.
Based on the cult 1988 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, the high-octane black comedy rock musical arrives in Australia and New Zealand following record-breaking seasons in London and New York.
Featuring an exciting mix of seasoned stage performers and rising stars representing the next generation of theatre talent from both sides of the Tasman, the show starts its major tour in Melbourne on 8 April before heading to the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch on 15 May, then the Wellington Opera House on 28 May and The Civic in Auckland on 10 June before heading back across the ditch to Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Sydney and Perth.
Leading the class as outsider-turned-icon Veronica Sawyer is Emma Caporaso, making her mainstage debut after winning audiences with her powerhouse vocals as part of girl-group G-Nation on The Voice Australia. Opposite her, Conor Beaumont takes on the role of the dangerously charismatic J.D. Conor was most recently seen in the musical adaptation of American Psycho at Melbourne’s Chapel Off Chapel.
Tauranga’s Calista Nelmes dons the iconic red scrunchie as queen bee Heather Chandler, bringing star power honed through roles in RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar and Jersey Boys. Amélia Rojas, from Auckland, takes on Heather Duke, fresh from Chicago, while Abigail Sharp completes the iconic trio as Heather McNamara in her debut mainstage performance.
Award-winning performer Mel O’Brien (FANGIRLS), who’s best known for her work as one half of musical comedy duo Mel & Sam, will bring her trademark humour to the role of Martha Dunnstock.
Zoe Gertz (Come From Away, Legally Blonde, Wicked, Les Misérables) is Ms Fleming and Veronica’s Mum. David Cuny (Elvis: A Musical Revolution, The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale) and Nic Van Lits (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) will swagger into Westerberg High as jocks Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly.
Rounding out the adult chaos are Ellis Dolan (The Rocky Horror Show, School of Rock) and Brodie Masini (The Play That Goes Wrong), juggling parents, principals and authority figures who are very much out of their depth.
Completing the cast, are ensemble members Thalia Osegueda Santos, Hannah Chesser, Jocelyn Scott, Mackenzie Htay, Samuel Henderson, Jack Reason, Aimee Jones, and Scarlett Anthony.
Featuring a mercilessly catchy mix of ballads and bangers by award-winning writers Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives) and Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde The Musical), Heathers the Musical is directed by acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman.
“How Very…excited we are about this brilliant cast who are bringing Westerberg High School to life Down Under!” exclaims Andy. “We truly were blown away by the exceptional level of talent we saw throughout our auditions. This was one of our most competitive searches ever and the end results truly will ensure each performance is Big Fun. Our new Rottweilers represent both Australia and New Zealand with many of our cast making their professional debuts. So, motor on over to the box office and grab tickets as you will not want to miss this amazing cast as they welcome you to their Candy Store!”
Since its sold-out Los Angeles premiere in 2013 and New York debut in 2014, Heathers has enjoyed three smash-hit West End seasons, multiple sold-out UK and Ireland tours, a 2019 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical, and a global streaming release via The Roku Channel. Most recently, the show shattered records at New York’s New World Stages, opening in June 2025 with the biggest advance sale in the venue’s history and extending immediately due to demand.
