Joe Iconis' Musical Be More Chill to Be Recorded by Ghostlight Records

Ghostlight Records has announced plans to record the original cast album of Joe Iconis' Be More Chill. The new musical, which has music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, a book by Joe Tracz, and is based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, received its world premiere production this spring at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ. Be More Chill was directed by Stephen Brackett with Chase Brock serving as choreographer. Charlie Rosen was the show’s orchestrator and musical supervisor.

The musical follows average teenager Jeremy Heere, whose life is irrevocably changed when he is introduced to "The Squip", a tiny supercomputer. With the Squip, all of his dreams are possible, but with all these possibilities comes the question: Is being the most popular guy in school worth the risk?

The cast featured Will Connolly as Jeremy, Eric William Morris as "The Squip," Stephanie Hsu as Christine, Jake Boyd as Jake, Gerard Canonico as Rich, Katlyn Carlson as Chloe, Katie Ladner as Jenna Rolan, Lauren Marcus as Brooke, George Salazar as Michael, and Paul Whitty as Jeremy's Dad.

The six-piece orchestra included Nathan Dame (conductor and keyboard), Danny Jonokuchi (trumpet), Dan McMillan (drums/percussion), Josh Plotner (reeds), Mike Rosengarten (guitar) and Amanda Ruzza (bass).