Hickory — Hickory Community Theatre invites audiences into the electrifying, funny, and unsettling world of Be More Chill, the cult-favorite musical that asks what it really costs to fit in.

Jeremy Heere just wants to survive high school. Instead, he’s invisible.

Then he takes a pill called the SQUIP — a Japanese nanocomputer that lives in your brain and tells you how to be cool. What to wear. What to say. Who to be. And it works.

Until it doesn’t.

As the SQUIP pushes Jeremy further than he ever planned to go, he must decide how much he’s willing to lose just to finally belong.

Be More Chill features music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, with a book by Joe Tracz, and is based on the novel by Ned Vizzini. The Hickory Community Theatre production is directed by HCT’s Artistic Director, Eric Seale, with music direction by Emily Mady and choreography by Payton Walton.

“I was working at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2016 when I met one of Be More Chill’s creators, before the show went to Broadway,” said Seale. “I’ve wanted to bring it to Hickory since I arrived in 2020. Now, ten years after first seeing Be More Chill, we’re finally able to bring it to life on our stage.”

Performances of Be More Chill will take place Fridays and Saturdays from January 23 through February 7 at 7:30 p.m., Sundays January 25 and February 1 at 2:30 p.m., and Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. This production contains mature content and is rated 13+.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students and youth ages 18 and under. Be More Chill contains moderate adult language and references to substance abuse. Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org or by calling 828-328-2283.

Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives sustaining support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Season 77 support is provided by the City of Hickory, A Cleaner World, Shurtape Technologies, Acuña & Acuña Dentistry, and BelleAge.

Get More Chill with Ice Cream

To help audiences get ready for Be More Chill, Hickory Community Theatre has partnered with Carolina Crafted Creamery and Sweets.

Audience members can enjoy Be More Chill ice cream at select performances on January 23, February 1, and February 7. Anyone may purchase a cup, and on select nights, some guests will be treated on the house.

Free ice cream will be offered to high school students on January 23, and to high school parents and siblings on February 1. Guests are reminded to be mindful of the show’s 13+ rating when attending.