Gerardine Sacdalan Leads Heathers the Musical in Manila
Westerberg High is coming to Manila, and a Filipina will be at the center of it.
Heathers the Musical will make its Philippine debut at The Theatre at Solaire from January 21 to February 7, 2027, with Filipina performer Gerardine Sacdalan leading the international cast as Veronica Sawyer.
For Manila theater audiences who have been waiting for the darkly funny musical to make its way here, this is not a locally assembled version of the show. Sacdalan arrives with the international company following the production's London season and UK and Ireland tour.
Gerardine Sacdalan in Heathers the Musical. Photo by Pamela Raith.
A Filipina Veronica Sawyer
Sacdalan steps into one of contemporary musical theater's most recognizable young roles after previously leading the UK tour of & Juliet as Juliet, a performance that earned her a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Professional Debut.
She is joined by Louis Hearsey as Jason “J.D.” Dean, Liberty Stottor as Heather Chandler, Jessica Ibadin as Heather Duke, and Lou Henry as Heather McNamara.
Gerardine Sacdalan and Louis Hearsey. Photo by Pamela Raith.
The cast also includes Veronica Carabai as Ms. Fleming and Veronica's Mom, Sophie Manners as Martha Dunnstock, Markus Södergren as Kurt Kelly, Beau Jackson as Ram Sweeney, John Gurdían as Ram's Dad, Big Bud Dean and Coach Ripper, and Reuben Browne as Kurt's Dad, Veronica's Dad and Principal Gowan.
Christian De-Gallerie, Ellouise Delooze, Caitlin Garcia, Alexander Howarth, Charlotte O'Rourke, Thomas Oxley, Tola Sokoya and Carys Taylor complete the company.
Jessica Ibadin, Liberty Stottor and Lou Henry. Photo by Pamela Raith.
Welcome to Westerberg High
Heathers the Musical takes audiences into the social hierarchy of Westerberg High, where Veronica Sawyer begins as an outsider before finding herself welcomed into the orbit of the school's three most powerful girls: Heather Chandler, Heather Duke and Heather McNamara.
Popularity gives Veronica the status she thought she wanted. Then she meets J.D., a mysterious new student whose ideas about dealing with the cruelty around them become increasingly dangerous.
The result is a musical that mixes high school comedy with murder, social pressure, identity, friendship and some deliberately uncomfortable questions about what people will do to belong.
Its score by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe includes songs that have developed their own following beyond the stage, including “Candy Store,” “Seventeen,” “Dead Girl Walking,” “Meant to Be Yours” and “I Say No.”
Louis Hearsey and Gerardine Sacdalan. Photo by Pamela Raith.
From cult film to stage phenomenon
The musical is adapted from Daniel Waters' cult film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.
After early developmental performances, Heathers the Musical had a Los Angeles run in 2013 before opening Off-Broadway at New World Stages in 2014. The show was later reworked for its UK premiere in 2018, eventually winning the 2019 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical.
It has since returned for multiple West End seasons and tours, while a filmed version was released through The Roku Channel in 2022. The musical also returned to New York in 2025, where demand led to several extensions at New World Stages.
The Manila engagement brings the production closer to Filipino audiences following its London season and UK and Ireland tour.
The cast of Heathers the Musical. Photo by Pamela Raith.
The creative team
Heathers the Musical features book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, based on the film written by Daniel Waters.
Andy Fickman directs the production, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson, and musical supervision by Jeremy Wootton and Will Joy.
The production is presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd. and Paul Taylor-Mills in association with GMG Productions.
Heathers the Musical. Photo by Pamela Raith.
Heathers the Musical Manila ticket dates
The first ticket windows open this September:
- UnionBank Presale: September 8 to 11, 2026, with 10% off
- Waitlist Onsale: September 12, 2026, with 10% off
- General Public Onsale: September 13, 2026
General public tickets will be available through TicketWorld.
Ticket prices and the complete Manila performance schedule have not yet been announced.
Heathers the Musical Manila 2027 details
Show: Heathers the Musical
Run: January 21 to February 7, 2027
Venue: The Theatre at Solaire, Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Parañaque City
Veronica Sawyer: Gerardine Sacdalan
J.D.: Louis Hearsey
Presented by: Bill Kenwright Ltd. and Paul Taylor-Mills in association with GMG Productions
Recommended age: 14+
The production contains haze, loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights and strobe effects, strong language, and mature themes involving murder, suicide, sexual violence and references to eating disorders.
For Manila, the biggest reason to watch may be sitting right at the center of Westerberg High. Sacdalan's arrival as Veronica gives the Philippine premiere something beyond the novelty of finally getting Heathers on a Manila stage: a Filipina performer leading one of the show's established international companies in front of a home audience.
Class is almost in session.