YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Millennial Theatre Company will present the area premiere of the viral hit Broadway musical “Be More Chill” at Hopewell Theatre, 702 Mahoning Ave., on April 25-27 and May 2-4.

Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday performances will begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and are available in advance at MillennialTheatre.org.

“Be More Chill” follows the story of Jeremy Heere, an average teenager who finds out about “The Squip,” a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most: a date with Christine, an invite to the best party of the year and a chance to survive life in his suburban New Jersey high school.

The score, by Joe Iconis, includes the viral hit “Michael in the Bathroom.”

MTC’s production has been in the works for years, according to director Joe Asente. “We were originally slated to produce ‘Be More Chill’ during our 2020 season, which was ultimately canceled by the pandemic.”

The cast is led by Tom Millsap-Kijaukas, who only three weeks ago stepped into the lead role of Jeremy Heere after the previous lead was injured.

“He leads this show with the loveable energy of every geek craving the high of fitting in with the popular crowd,” Asante said.

The show is a natural fit for MTC, as the company focuses on programming that appeals to the next generation of theatergoers and makers.

“‘Be More Chill’ was truly the first musical to go viral online,” Asante said. “Led by a campaign of young people, the soundtrack reached the Billboard Cast Album Top 10 and, despite the odds, caught the eyes of Broadway producers, and the rest is history.”

It became the first musical that made its way to Broadway thanks to a viral push from younger audience members. But Asente points out that the story will delight all ages.

In addition to Milllsap-Kijauskas, the cast includes Brianna Rae Quinn, Finn O’Hara, Sam Early, Ryan Stewart, Ben Doss, Ryan Lamb, Karlina Wander, Hannah Sinclair, Karina Moran, Andy Scott, Landon Eli, Lucas Mitchell, Kate Congo and David Santiago. 

Danielle Mentzer is the choreographer, and Cari Auth is the musical director.

Pictured at top: The cast of “Be More Chill” includes Hannah Sinclair, Ryan Lamb, Tom Millsap-Kijauskas and Karlina Wander.