Just saw it tonight, but I'm such a fan of the movie, they'd have to really mess it up for me to not relish seeing it as a musical, heh. Based on the posts I mainly skipped through in the past in this thread, I didn't have as many problems as others. I don't think a brooding, dark musical would work as well, and I think the audience nearly expects what is on offer here.
It is hard to tell about the appeal beyond Heathers fans, who seemed to be in abundance at the show tonight. I guess I can't dismiss people cheering egg drinking, meat punching and stair climbing over at the Winter Garden, if the group I associate with is going to cheer "F-ck me gently with a chainsaw" just as much.
I almost liked the weird juxtaposition of the bubblegum music and the dark subject matter. I do wonder if steering into a dark, brooding movie with dark, brooding music would be too... very. Whereas joyous songs in the midst of angst, bullying, and murder was almost its own form of subversive.
The guy behind me, who never saw the movie, said it had a very Mean Girls vibe, so that seems in keeping with previous remarks.
But, if you're really going to pick this apart, knowing full well what you're signing on for in advance... what's your damage, Heather?
Now t/d/b/a haterobics on here.