"Most notable is Mr. Roland who jumped from a supporting role in the original Broadway company of 'Dear Evan Hansen' to take on 'Be More Chill’s' central character. He anchors the 10-member ensemble with a humorous, emotionally charged performance, and while his vocal delivery hits decibel-shattering levels thanks to Ryan Rumery’s sound design, it lacks the color and nuance of some of his co-stars."
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"Despite the committed work of a first-rate cast, a superbly polished technical production, and the lively direction of Stephen Brackett and choreography of Chase Brock, the 2 ½ hour show can too often feel like a cocktail made of equal parts 'Dear Evan Hansen,' 'Mean Girls' and, ultimately, 'Little Shop of Horrors' as concocted by an inexperienced mixologist."
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"'Be More Chill' is a highly polished, high decibel, high school based entertainment whose score, while providing a few highlights, lacks sufficient variety to sustain interest. Similarly, its subject matter is neither engrossing nor witty enough to make its sci-fi take on conventional situations overcome its persistently sophomoric attitude. I'm sure, though, that the show's legions of fans would love to tell me I need to be more chill."
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"You don’t have to be 15 to be thrilled by the best moments in the Off-Broadway production of 'Be More Chill,' a musical about high school, presented by a terrifically talented cast, that is too quirky and clever to be dismissed as a standard high school musical bestiary, But it might help to be a teenage fan in order to enjoy all two and a half hours of 'Be More Chill,' even those times when the music turns very loud and the story turns very weird."
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"'Be More Chill' is as confused and un-self-aware as a hormonal teenage boy — and nearly as reckless...The musical, with score by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, considers frustrated male desire its primary problem in need of solving. Not by teaching its protagonist that he’s not entitled to the woman he wants, or that he should simply be himself and love will find a way, but by tempting him with a pill that helps him say all the rights things to score."
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"The songs of 'Be More Chill' are stellar, even if the lyrics are occasionally too pat. The script is loaded with corny jokes and hokey sentiments, but the plot offers a fun sci-fi twist on familiar conventions. I must say I enjoyed it...'Be More Chill' is a new sci-fi, pop-rock, satirical allegory of a musical for tweens and early teens, and probably not anyone else...The show is well-staged and performed, but remains an emotionally disengaging experience."
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"The award winning 'Hansen' is also about an unpopular teen’s fraudulent way of becoming more accepted, but it happens to have way more texture and subtlety...Joe Iconis has a few interesting songs, like 'The Pants Song,' but a lot of the score is sunk by 'moon/June' type lyrics, and there are two self-pitying numbers pretty close to each other...When 'Be More Chill' is clever, it’s fun, but in general, it needs to chill out."
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"If nothing else, this musical proves the power of the people...Perhaps the show just speaks to teenagers of this generation. Maybe it’s something in the songs or the book, or even in Brackett’s direction...What makes 'Be More Chill' most distinct is its science fiction element...Everyone is impressive, hilarious, and superbly talented...Not a show to ignore...The show may be somewhat immature, but it speaks to an entire generation, so it is clearly doing something right."
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