The iconic dark comedy musical Heathers based off the cult-classic Winona Ryder starring film, is makings its return to Australian stages in 2026 for an international tour. Stars Emma Caporaso and Conor Beaumont share why audiences continue to be captivated by its rocking score and colourful characters.
For Emma Caporaso (Veronica Sawyer), her introduction to Heathers came before the film. “I saw the musical before I saw the film and I think my first introduction to the musical was the soundtrack,” she explains. Though she adds with a laugh, “and also that slime tutorial on YouTube (but don’t watch that).”
Conor Beaumont (Jason “J.D” Dean) discovered the musical during his teenage years and found it profoundly relatable. “I fell in love with the soundtrack when I was a teenager. I feel like it really spoke to me, and it was the first musical theatre show that I discovered that didn’t feel like it talked down to me,” he shares. “It didn’t feel like it misrepresented me…it felt so visceral and real. It was really healing.”
What makes Heathers an enduring favorite? Emma points to the show’s “innately human” characters and humour. “Obviously, the show is hilarious. It’s funny, it’s fantastic, and the music’s so fun,” she shares. “But I think, also, the show is so real. The characters are all flawed… I think the audience can really relate to every single character in their experience and I think that keeps audiences coming back, for sure.” With Conor adding that the show’s emotional depth resonates with theatregoers – “It’s just got such wonderful emotional stakes.”
Bringing these then flawed and complex characters to life night after night requires incredible dedication. “As performers, we’re all diligent (you have to be),” Emma explains. “If we aren’t in singing lessons, we’re doing our warmups, we’re doing our cool downs, vocally, but also physically, eating good food, fitness. There’s such a discipline to this job that keeps us fit and ready to come back to sing songs like ‘I say No’ every night.”
Conor agrees that the role becomes a lifestyle. “Yeah, I mean, it takes over your life, but in a good way- a positive way.”
For both performers, being part of the 2026 Australian production is deeply meaningful. “It means the world,” Emma shares with us. “I think it really hit us at the first audience yesterday that there are so many teenagers that kind of look up to or are inspired by these characters. So, yeah it’s just surreal.” With Conor being similarly overwhelmed. “I have no words about it. Like, it’s just, it’s indescribable. truly indescribable.”
What Audiences Can Expect from This Production
The Australian cast is putting their unique spin on the beloved show, which is coming straight from its long-running success on the West End and Broadway. “Fans of the show (aka corn nuts) will appreciate everyone’s take on the characters,” Emma reveals. “I think we’re imbuing all of these characters with a bit of Australian humour and everyone’s kind of bringing their own personality, flair, and comedy to the roles.”
Even newcomers to Heathers will find something to love. “Even if you’re not a fan of Heather’s, and you’ve never seen the show, I think audiences will just fall in love with the energy, the music and the history. There’s something for everyone.”
Conor reiterates these thoughts, “Also, the score is just so, so brilliant. Yeah, there’s something for everyone.”
Heathers the Musical opens in Melbourne before embarking on an international tour to New Zealand before returning to Australia stopping at Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Sydney and finishing in Perth.
The tour dates are below:
MELBOURNE
Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
FROM 8 APR
CHRISTCHURCH
James Hay Theatre
15 – 24 May
WELLINGTON
The Opera House
28 May – 7 Jun
AUCKLAND
The Civic
10 – 14 Jun
ADELAIDE
Her Majesty’s Theatre
16 – 26 Jul
GOLD COAST
HOTA
30 Jul – 9 Aug
CANBERRA
Canberra Theatre Centre
14 – 23 Aug
SYDNEY
Coliseum Theatre
26 – 29 Aug
SYDNEY
Roslyn Packer Theatre
1 – 19 Sep
PERTH
Regal Theatre
30 Sep – 11 Oct
