Tabor Academy to perform ‘Heathers: The Musical’

Jan 25, 2019

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MARION — Tabor Academy will host their high school edition performance of their winter musical, “Heathers: The Musical” on February 14 to 16 at 7:30 p.m.

“Heathers: The Musical,” a satire dealing with the challenges of teen life, became an Off-Broadway hit in 2014. Because the subject matter was so relevant to high schools, the
creators of the show, Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, worked closely with Pearce High School in Richardson, TX,  to develop a “toned-down,” high school edition of the show.

“Tabor students must have been on top of that story, for a number of them were calling for us to stage ‘Heathers’ two years ago,” Tabor’s director, Mark Howland said.

Howland explains that more than fifteen high school are staging the production this year.

“While “Heathers: The Musical” delves into such hot-button topics as body shaming, sexual harassment, and suicide, it does so with humor and sensitivity. The
creators have claimed, in fact, that they feel the show is about female empowerment,” Howland explained, adding that “Rather than avoid these taboo topics, “Heathers: The Musical” tackles them head on but through the lens of satire, showing us that high schoolers need to be kinder to each other, and adults who work with them need to be more clued in.”

Though the content might be distressing for some high school students, Tabor staff has been working to make sure that the cast and crew are well-educated about the issues behind what they are performing. 

“At Tabor, the offices of Community Life, Equity and Inclusion, and Counseling Services have been involved in training and educating the cast and crew from the get-go. Our goal is that the show be a catalyst for the school community to further awareness and empathy,” Howland said. 

The show runs Feb. 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Tabor’s Fireman Center for the Performing Arts in Hoyt Hall. It is free and open to the public with no tickets or reservations required. 

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Event Date: 

Thursday, February 14, 2019 - 7:30pm
Friday, February 15, 2019 - 7:30pm
Saturday, February 16, 2019 - 7:30pm

Event Location: 

Hoyt Hall, Tabor Academy