Be More Chill: The Upgrade - Episode 1: "How Did We Get Here?"

Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz's musical ''Be More Chill'' is a little show that could. After playing 28 performances at Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 2015, this adaptation of Ned Vizzini's young-adult novel seemed to have disappeared. But thanks to the Ghostlight Records cast recording, listeners began discovering it. Amassing a major fan base, ''Be More Chill'' became the second-most-talked-about musical on Tumblr in 2017 (after ''Hamilton'' and before ''Dear Evan Hansen''), and is now making it's off-Broadway debut at the Pershing Square Signature Center.
But how did they get there? In the first episode of our new five-part series about the creation of ''Be More Chill'', writers Iconis and Tracz, director Stephen Brackett, stars Stephanie Hsu and George Salazar, and producers Gerald Goehring and Jennifer Ashley Tepper discuss the miraculous resurgence of this cult-favorite musical, and why it resonates with just about everyone.

[@theatermania]

GET TICKETS HEERE! bit.ly/BMCTIX

[@Yemes]

It's only in NY?! ;-;

[@tiildeath]

heere

[@richgoranski1139]

*i love you.*

[@sammiborro]

*how did we get heere* how did they not see that

[@malixnant]

honestly.. they missed the opportunity

[@marsarr4957]

That's literally what I thought😂

[@lotusdraws9284]

JHNBGVFC I THOUGHT THE EXACT SAME THING

[@samuneechan]

XD

[@swagmeister3000]

wait i thought that’s what it was called *i literally read here as heere* i need to get my head out of bmc’s ass smh

[@gabbyl3856]

the fan-base truly exploded out of nowhere. It is incredible.

[@reif.5055]

lo.ve.gabby True like before it felt like there was no one there, and that the fan base just disappeared.

[@someOne-hh3eh]

0:24 THATS MY DOODLE IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER IM SO!!!!!!!! AAAAA

[@aL-ys1ze]

Ooh I love it

[@van____]

keskea videos it’s so cute! Congrats!

[@harrytuck7537]

Ok, but if you release the full original show recording and like sell it, no one would be mad. Just throwing it out there

[@kaiyuen7883]

HarryTuck75 tea

[@seineevee]

True. Like no one.

[@gamerb9919]

Sadly though they don’t have a full pro-shot of the original cast, they only have a one camera filmed archival footage of the whole original cast! But good news Two Rivers said they are thinking about releasing it during this time of COVID and they said they will update their socials about it when they have something concrete! You can message their Instagram about it like I did!

[@sixeaston6690]

YES. PLEASE. I WOULD PAY SM. THREE YEARS LATER AND YES😭

[@kateoconnor30030]

I T S F R O M J A P A N

[@samuneechan]

Gimmie that upgrade

[@Dino-zd6tr]

Nonononono... Its " EITTZ FRUM JAPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEUN!!"

[@quakkabutts3607]

I was telling my friend about the new BMC cast, and I was talking about how 'yeah they got a new jake and Jenna-' and she said "ok, that's fine as long as they dont-" 'oh and they got a new Jeremy.' Then she started crying

[@emopeterparker7]

He's a damn good new Jeremy though.

[@queenperrytheplatypus458]

Your friend is literally me haha

[@angelicahennessy6414]

I love Will Roland with all my heart but same

[@almapoole2663]

But it's the insanely cool Will Roland

[@beaniepup5593]

DID THEY CHANGE MICHEAL I NEED TO KNOW

[@softdustbunny4690]

1. the art at the bottom right corner 0:25 IS *_ICONIC_* 2. WHERE 👏🏻 IS👏🏻 GEORGE'S👏🏻GLASSES👏🏻 3.stEPH IS sO kyOOt

[@mikahyam7940]

I know this is super late bit he left them in the bathroom. 😅

[@reif.5055]

I went from Heathers To Hamilton To 21 Chump Street To Dear Evan Hansen To *BE MORE CHILL* To Newsies To In The Heights To Mean Girls And I’m getting into Wicked, The Book of Mormon, aaaannnddd Legally Blonde.

[@estherrosi-kessel5192]

Expensive Headphones Kid I love Ham, DEH, 21 CS, BMC, Mean Girls, Heights and Wicked. The only reason I haven’t listened to Heathers is that I haven’t seen the movie and I want to see the movie first.

[@lukewarmsoop6094]

I went from Hamilton to 21 chump street to be more chill to dear Evan Hansen to legally blonde to Heathers to mean girls to waitress ☺️

[@emma-ws9zv]

Expensive Headphones Kid same but in a different order

[@kilrrclown]

I’m the exact same except Newsies and In The Heights, I’ve never watched them or heard the music Also switch BMC and DEH THHEEENNN you have me

[@almostwhizzer]

Story of my life

[@zoe-ll9hh]

Where tf are George’s glasses

[@ironnfeu4711]

zoe That guy at 4.40 has them :P

[@roseypelicano5682]

He might have contacts

[@maxvanhorn]

why is this like the only musical who interacts or whatever the most with the fandom, I mean they're AMAZING!!

[@FlyingPig-xt8il]

nommletto hi bmc isn’t the only show that interacts w their fandom :)

[@maxvanhorn]

FlyingPig 5879 I meant one of, but it's p rare tho

[@goodjobeli]

I mean both DEH and Newsies do (I'm p sure they came up with "Fansens" and "Fansies")

[@mehspacedorito]

rip the great comet, who interacted with fans even more lmao

[@itskatiemydudes1541]

um wow there are SO MANY musicals out there. it’s not rare for them to interact with their fans. be more chill is definitely not “one of the only ones”

[@karmensl0]

The Hamilton, Heathers and Dear Evan Hansen thing is so TRUE 😂

[@LumosVeil]

3:35 This is very true. I think it was mostly due to the influence of people finding the four musicals and along with the musical animators that helped along with that. You animators who made animatics about these four musicals know who you are. ;)

[@shuizaffre]

I agree. I think it was mostly the influence of the animators during early-mid 2017 that made animatics about those four musicals then it kinda just exploded from there. It's truly amazing how the fanbase had such a influence on them.

[@girlonabookshelf4922]

I'm sad Ned Vizzini will never get to see this show may he rest in peace :(

[@nokocchi1983]

0:24 that’s..... boyf riends ship art???

[@someOne-hh3eh]

Girafarig's Butt :3c

[@taylorhope4651]

Yeah Im pretty sure the casts ships it lmao, George deffinetley does

[@sincerelyheathermell7703]

everyone ships it. EvErYoNe In ThE CaSt

[@samuneechan]

XD

[@jeeperscreepers453]

Even the squip probably ships it 😂

[@ashlynecollado4980]

I JUST FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR WHEN I SAW THIS

[@mintywallflower]

AGREEMENT

[@bina_the_bean]

What this video tells me is that somewhere out there, there is a professionally filmed version of the original show that they got these clips from.... PLEASE, SHARE IT WITH US!!!

[@polar_lei]

they can't show it because of copyright reasons or something like that

[@jamieliu8183]

there actually isn't one, i don't think! all the clips shown were probably specifically filmed for commercial purposes/from the pitiful children music video. joe answered a question like this on his insta, where he said that there is no professional recording, and the only full recording of the show was bad quality, and not available to show to the public due to copyright or something.

[@R.444-]

I’m crying y’all look how far they’ve come

[@paigeporter6169]

I’m actually going to cry idk why this video made me so emotional but it’s so cool that they’re getting this opportunity and they recognize the fan base

[@jilljmoore]

It’s the show that I’d kinda be into~😊

[@ajskater6287]

One of my favorite musicals, Hope somebody posts a bootleg soon so I can see it!

[@resarious6225]

AJ Skater kinda hope they post the bootleg after thw off Broadway show ends, so it's fair ya know

[@resarious6225]

Musical Weeb oh lok thats just the original bmc mixed with exit 82 bmc, still pretty good tho

[@that_orange_hat]

AJ Skater Here’s a playlist I made of BMC video footage: kzbin.info/aero/PLyZsr6QVZZzv-8xoqBeYMuQGxfRsHkuFb

[@BroadwayMe]

It probably won’t happen because the theatre is tiny (I went to the second preview) and the ushers are very on top of everything.

[@miaaaa669]

Oof buddy I don’t think this is the best place to share that request

[@andrealoreto408]

WHY DO I KEEP WATCHING THESE VIDEOS IT JUST MAKES ME MORE AND MORE SAD THAT I CANT SEE THE SHOW BECAUSE I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA DAAAMMIIIIIITTTTTT

[@kingartsybanana8103]

SAME

[@sora6303]

ME AND MY FRIEND GROUP TOO

[@kaitlin253]

California?! TRY AUSTRALIA! 😭

[@247webgirl]

I'm a college student in Texas. I'll get to see the show whenever green Mountain Dew shuts the SQUIP off...

[@mariakazi8574]

dude, at least you're on the same continent

[@kennn6582]

It's really fun to just see the fandom absolutely explode in the past few hours

[@aster4590]

gerard looks so tense at 3:16 lmfao "it'S FROM JAPAAAAAAN"

[@gachagirl4547]

I love BMC and now I love it even more for some reason

[@shosuzuki9223]

Gacha Girl454 I DONT THINK I CAN LOVE IT MORE AAAAA

[@claddagh1826]

it is amazing that this musical is the second most popular on tumblr, but i did not know it even existed until a few weeks ago. i am so depressingly old.

[@Koopacake]

I'm so sad that I'll never see this cuz I'm broke and live all the way in the UK!😭

[@MB-pc3kp]

Koopacake Heathers is coming to London in September so hopefully Be more chill will come over in two years

[@space.404]

At least you live in a place they're more proximately going to be ;w;

[@haileyturner8219]

I love how George is actually paying attention and listening to what she has to say it's so cute ack

[@maethelei5906]

Totally not on the verge of crying! I’m just sitting here stuck happily in Texas dying to see this show!

[@reviilutionarie]

i'm so proud of how far this cast has come-be more chill and theater in general really changed my life, and i just have so much appreciation for them

[@imanelattar1879]

The main reason BMC became so popular in 2017 was cause it was a big meme. I only listened to it cause I got tired of kids screaming “MICHEAL IN THE BATHROOM” and “EVERY BODYS GOT A RED SOLO CUP FILL IT UP” and also 4:59, where’s micheals pride patch

[@rounddcat]

@@cadendidgamingiguess9900 wAIT IT WAS ACTUALLY ADDED TO THE COSTUME???

[@KimmiCreative]

evelyn the edgy yea it was also added that he has two moms 😊👌

[@emmadove9052]

I started at Hamilton, then Heather's, then Dear Evan Hansen, and lastly Be More Chill, and honestly discovering this musical gave me life.

[@jaime_lee_g]

It breaks my heart that Ned isn't here to see what an amazing cult following this musical has. That his work inspired such an amazing musical that we all hold so close to our hearts. Ned Vizzini saved my life with his writings and I'm glad this exists to honor his memory.

[@Maria_Quevedo]

I’m so upset that I will never get to see it I hope someone posts the full musical online like Dear Evan Hansen

[@lilypalomares5966]

Maria Quevedo it’s illegal to film it. So you can’t. I went and they said you may not film anything it’s illegal and if you do the security guard will lead you outside and you will not be able to enter again

[@Maria_Quevedo]

I mean some people do get away with it

[@BroadwayMe]

Maria Quevedo This theatre is tiny and the ushers WILL find you. It is literally impossible.

[@sophienesselt6472]

Then watch the Lehman high version, it’s just that some parts of lines and songs are changed because of censoring, but it’s just as good!

[@Blue-xt7kc]

The internet will find a way. Here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noCVk6KhZ86EotE

[@devotedcetacean6568]

NOW WE WANT WAS A MOVIE FOR THE BOOKS

[@zarakamat1805]

Devoted Cetacean we need a musical movie with Will Conolly

[@seayu_n3269]

I'm so glad I'll be in the New York area to watch this show! I convinced my parents that Ivy college tours should be at the end of the summer just so I could catch the show, since I'm all the way down south.

[@nemosrightfinn]

I legitimately just read the title as “How Did We Get Heere” I am way too obsessed

[@beathecat6604]

I totally didn't cry watching this Nope totally not crying

[@_Hasu_]

I started my Musical Obssession With BMC and seeing it now just Brings a tear in my eyes

[@zendpixie]

BMC cast: "How did we get here?" Jacksepticeye: Do you have ninety minutes-- -I regret nothing-

[@riverlove8150]

"Everyone who was getting into Hamilton, and dear Evan handson, and heathers was now getting I to be more chill" Me: heh, heh, yeah that's me...

[@ironnfeu4711]

Does this guy at 4.40 has George Salazar's glasses? 😂

[@discoshark7767]

Ironn Feu no...?

[@ironnfeu4711]

Oh people, come on...

[@discoshark7767]

Ironn Feu OHHH you’re thinking of 4:27!

[@discoshark7767]

Ironn Feu you said 4:40!

[@discoshark7767]

Ironn Feu Wait wtf... oh shoot I was lookin at the kid in the chair not the guy lmao

[@EJ-vk2if]

I miss them :(

[@hootsome7112]

Ah the cast and producers are all so awesome!

[@cowboytoy05]

Me more chill deserves all the likes!...... SO LIKE IT!!!!!👍🏾❤

[@iditne1096]

How did I find be more chill Me: I just went on KZbin and one day while looking throughout musicals I found be more chill (I want to see the musical really bad!)

[@yourlocalpunkkid6136]

3:06 THAT'S THE BEST THING IVE EVER SEEN 😂😂😂😂

[@sejcai]

gjfk i live literally not even 20 minutes away from production but i can't go so im renting a crane, breaking the roof, and watching from above.

[@emopeterparker7]

Fat Man i live across the pacific but damn that must be agonizing wth is there anyway i can help

[@ren-w]

It’s kind of funny how it was created in 2015 and then out of nowhere in 2017 people started LOVING IT.

[@zoelivingston9044]

“You want to say it again don’t you” 0:03 “*very much so* yes”

[@danandphillaregayandnoonec5478]

4:11 aND SOON I WOULD DISCOVER I WAS HAVING REALLY STRANGE FEELINGS FOR STEVE

[@bambio2815]

Wish they would also release a DVD or Blue Ray of the stage show. I bet the number of sales would be amazing!

[@mashieee]

That one post 😂😂😂 I'm ( ) Gay ( ) Straight ( ) Bi (•) Michael in the Bathroom

[@bigd9154]

I was wondering what this was I heard the intro song on KZbin and was thinking that's not bad for a musical and finally something relatable to the modern teenage boy.

[@starproductions4437]

How does the Squip speaks English so well IT'S FROM JAPAN

[@gleek781]

Its specially made for its user this is seen when Jeremy first accesses it, he learns it can be changed it to anything the user would chose. So i'm guessing since Jeremy is American it will automatically speak english ( in a surfer dude voice LOL) but if someone from japannnnn had one it wold speak Japanese!

[@fundiamond2118]

Title: "How did we get here?" Me: "DO YOU HAVE 90 MINUTES?!!?"

[@losergeekwhatever9264]

Same

[@dasty3314]

If only Ned Vinzzini was still here today to see this

[@uhi1482]

I'm freaking out no lie screaming

[@browniebooks2715]

Oh my gosh I have to see thisssssssss before it disappears again😂

[@rylandpferschy1465]

Y'all can make this documentary showing these proshoot scenes. But WHERE👏IS👏THE👏PRO👏SHOOT👏I👏NEED👏ANSWERS👏

[@spicedch4i]

I watched this exactly 6 times :))

[@_bloodshot_ice3361]

1:01 I love that queen shirt

[@isatheebrat]

YES! I’M SO PROUD OF HOW FAR THEY’VE COME!!!

[@Tabitha1Shia2Kate3]

Hope that one day it will come to Europe~

[@darcyjanej]

I want to meet George so badly!

[@alicia8281]

I really really really wan to see the show but I'm all the way in California and can't make it. Makes me bummed out that I'm going to miss it.

[@Sternenrose]

Yes! YES! Thank you!

[@prcs420]

I didn't know I needed this series until now

[@Tamemes-pp4rh]

Lol I’m just sitting here crying because it just closed

[@polar_lei]

*om* it's honestly amazing to see how far they've come with this musical

[@eringiles9767]

I saw the thumbnail and immediately clicked on this video

[@sophiep3503]

I FREAKING LOVE THIS THE JOES ARE AMAZING thank you for coming to my ted talk

[@sofiaperea9074]

Thank you animatics and spotify for leading me to such an amazing musical!

[@no1legobatmanfan]

OMG AT THE BEGINNING I STARTED TO SCREAM OMG

[@HamiltonIsLife]

I hate the fandom but I love it them for helping this

[@kateoconnor30030]

LOVE LOVE LOVE

[@mophead3903]

oh pls tell me that they're gonna come back and start to tour and show this again... I've seen a showing through KZbin but I wanna see it so badly irl

[@syr1ah]

I was gonna scream when I clicked this and then I did because I realized I’d been watching the second episode instead of the first :) yeah I’m smart

[@hadarpohl8535]

I’m seeing it on September 2nd and I’m SO excited!!!

[@perilousf9567]

Hadar Pohl IM SO HAPPY FPR YOU

[@emmuffindoodles]

Where the heck are you guys doing this beautiful and wonderful thing at? Cause I wanna be there!

[@BroadwayMe]

EmMuffinDraws Signature Theatre in NYC (I saw it but it’s basically almost 100% sold out).

[@emmuffindoodles]

BroadwayMe Aww man, I couldn't go even if I wanted to! I guess that's life for ya

[@joshedits5588]

please please please have a professional recording of the show this time guys, you know we'll all buy it

[@arinija3409]

im literally sobbing

[@Velvet_yGoodness]

Litarly be more chill is my fav my second is Heather's and then dear Evan Hanson and my fourth fav is mean girls (Heather's and deh is almost a tie) but be more chill by far my fav it's so good, I love every song and I just love everything about it

[@aL-ys1ze]

I first went to Hamilton > dear Evan Hansen > Heather's > Be more chill > mean girls > Newsies > wicked > and so much more lol

[@JasonsMillionss]

Me: *Sees this in my KZbin feed* FUCK WHATEVER IM WATCHING THIS SHIT IS BETTER *clicks intensely*

[@chrisporter8925]

Why isn’t Will Connolly in the off broadway cast

[@missstrawberry288]

Oh my gosh i would die if I got a pic with George 😭😭

[@emma6185]

Me: sees “ how did we get here” also me: DO YOU HAVE 90 MINUTES

[@DanyBLG]

Sadly, there's a big fan community in Latin America (and other non-english speaker countries) that will never have the chance to see the show... Unless they make a translation, a process that starts many years after the fist performance and is only presented in few countries. ( like The Heights, translated to spanish, performed exclusively in Argentina)

[@thesongbirdie5714]

Don’t you mean: how did we get,,,, HeErE

[@sophiaswan385]

this made me so emo i love this show wow

[@n.c.435]

4:11 one thing led to another and soon I would discover I was having really strange feelings for Steve...

[@imsoemoifellapart3450]

How did we get here Me: do! You! Have! 90! Minutessssss!

[@elliedible5331]

They missed the opportunity to say "How did we get HEERE?"

[@Joey-ww5ww]

They should’ve named this episode “How did we get Heere?”

[@kxminxri]

It's sad. I got into be more chill the week after it stopped running off-Broadway

[@2ndlevelbard]

Im seeing it on august 5th and im so excited i wanna cry when i think about ut

[@no1legobatmanfan]

OMG LUCKY

[@uhi1482]

GASP WHAT

[@eleanorberry5987]

I would kill for this to come to the uk!!!

[@waffluffe4146]

Actually Be More Chill was my first musical

[@gwynneedshelp859]

Oh my god i cant wait