HEATHERS Casting Changes (Updated)

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/15/25 at 11:05pm

Apparently tonight was McKenzie’s last performance as Heather Chandler. I don’t recall reading announcement of her departure other than her leave that she recently returned from.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSTyZ1djFBg/?igsh=emliMmNhcjV5dDM1

Sara Al-Bazali is going on as HC on Wednesday and Thursday, but does anyone know who the successor is? 

Updated On: 1/4/26 at 11:05 PM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 12:54am

Such a shame.  Kurtz was excellent in the role.  Having seen both Kurtz and Al-Bazali, there was marked difference.  Kurtz's dynamic and layered performance added much to this show.  I hope they can find a replacement as strong as Kurtz.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 4:36am

That's sudden! Are Schmigadoon rehearsals starting ASAP in the new year or something?

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 8:06am

It's very strange. I wonder if she had an out in her contract for something that will be announced soon 

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 8:50am

I just know she was absolutely perfect for the role. It was a total tonal shift from her goody two-shoes in THE HEART OF ROCK & ROLL, and her line deliveries were just absolutely delicious.

”I AM TALKING TO MY FUUHHH-RIEND!!!!!”

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 1:38pm

Jodie Steele is playing Heather Chandler until the end of January.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 8:12am

I saw it again last night and…I don’t know if it was an off night or what but I was not impressed by Steele as Chandler. From the minute she came out, she didn’t look anywhere near high school age - looking more like Chelsea Handler after a bender (hair and makeup seemed…messy) and all of the broad comedic villainy that Kurtz brought to the role seemed to evaporate. This HC was more sociopathic - almost like JD in a blonde wig and plaid skirt.

I will say though that I really enjoyed Kuhoo Verma as Veronica. While she wasn’t vocally blowing songs out of the water like Lorna, she had more of a firm, self-protective approach to Veronica and played off Casey (who remains absolutely top-tier) very well. She makes him work a little harder to break down her resolve and that makes a more satisfying payoff.

Teeter, Butler, Loyal, and Morton all also remain in top form. 

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 8:16am

Updated On: 12/31/25 at 08:16 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 9:15am

Ensemble1711444445 said: "why do you go to this show so much?"

Why do you care? Are they buying the tickets you were trying to buy? Let people enjoy things.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 9:31am

Ensemble1711444445 said: "why do you go to this show so much?

Specifically to drive you batty. Glad to see you are able to now string words into sentences. Now we just need to work on proper capitalization.

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 9:32am

 

Updated On: 12/31/25 at 09:32 AM

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 9:47am

 

Updated On: 12/31/25 at 09:47 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 10:19am

And I refer you back to ColorTheHours048‘s comment.

Why do you care? Why does it matter? I wrote a review of the state of the show as I saw it last night. Is it going to color your perception of the validity of my comments if I answer your inane questions?

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 10:45am

Updated On: 12/31/25 at 10:45 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/29/25 at 12:18pm

Peyton List is the new Heather Chandler, beginning January 26. Jodie Steele plays the role through January 25.

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/4/26 at 2:47pm

Ben Davis just posted on Instagram that he’s leaving on January 25th. Wondering who will replace him or if they are bumping someone up.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 1/4/26 at 6:45pm

quizking101 said: "Ben Davis just posted on Instagram that he’s leaving on January 25th. Wondering who will replace him or if they are bumping someone up."

Prob Andy Karl lol

[MezzA101]

Posted: 1/30/26 at 1:06pm

Peyton List Steps Into ‘Heathers’ for Her Off Broadway Debut

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/theater/peyton-list-heathers-off-broadway.html?unlocked_article_code=1.IVA.mtIu.gEusrDvYcEw0&smid=nytcore-android-share

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 3/2/26 at 3:54pm

https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1riye3r/heathers_casting_drama/?share_id=-10OKBmWQ3cuplyJK5mfl&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=4

[JSquared2]

Posted: 3/2/26 at 4:05pm

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1riye3r/heathers_casting_drama/?share_id=-10OKBmWQ3cuplyJK5mfl&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=4"

 

That "fauxchapel" nut on the reddit thread has GOT to be Flash/Merkin/Ensemblewhatever...!  Exact same combination of repetetiveness+stupidity.

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/2/26 at 4:06pm

It’s all quite weird.

As far as I know, MK had a vocal injury and was out for a month, hence why Jodie Steele was brought in, but after her return, the injury returned and another LOA recovery would have taken her through the end of her contract anyway.

As for Olivia, based on my experiences, she was out far more than she was actually in, so the producers probably found it was within their right to terminate her contract. Of the 8 times I went from July to December, all different days, Kiara Michelle Lee was (an amazing) Duke for 6 of them. Looking at the historical record on Understudies.org also showed she was not really there. I can see why production didn’t necessarily jump at the chance to have her back when she was clear since her absences may have posed an ongoing liability to the production (especially if many other were out as well).