Jawbreaker The Musical is heading to the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited workshop engagement running from September 4 through September 20, 2026. According to the production team, the Hudson Backstage Theatre staging is designed to generate industry momentum toward a future Off-Broadway or London run. Written by Darren Stein—the creator of the 1999 cult-classic film—the stage adaptation features music composed by Jeffrey Thomson, lyrics by Jordan Mann, direction by Matt DiCarlo, and choreography by Jay Jackson, also known as RuPaul’s Drag Race fan-favorite Laganja Estranja. Knot Free Productions is producing the project.
Cast and Production Team for the Los Angeles Workshop
The Los Angeles workshop features a principal cast that includes Méami as Courtney Shayne, Aj Paramo as Fern Mayo, and Kristen Seggio as Julie Freeman, according to production details. Jane Papageorge stars as Marcie Fox, Rebecca Gayheart plays Principal Sherwood, Will Riddle appears as Zack Tartak, Mireya Zoé Nevel performs as Elizabeth Purr, and Brandon Keith Rogers takes on the role of Dane Sanders. The ensemble cast features Dominic DeCicco, Mitchell Gerrard Johnson, Kayla Quiroz, and Avery Rehl. Behind the scenes, Alex Mollo handles scenic design, Gavan Wyrick manages lighting design, Jenine MacDonald oversees props, and Kit Scarbo serves as costume designer.
Translating a Cult-Classic Dark Comedy to the Stage
The dark comedy is based on the 1999 film following the ruthless leader of a high school clique, Courtney Shayne, alongside her closest followers Marcie and Julie. In the story, the girls accidentally kill their best friend Liz during a birthday prank gone wrong. When a mousy wallflower named Fern Mayo catches them tucking Liz’s dead body back into bed, Courtney promises Fern a total makeover to make her the most popular girl at school in exchange for her silence. As Fern undergoes an extreme transformation into “Vylette,” she begins to enjoy her new status and ultimately becomes a bigger mean girl than Courtney before the cover-up unravels.
Did You Know? The creative team drew inspiration for the show’s dark tone from musicals like Sweeney Todd and Little Shop of Horrors, while writer Darren Stein supplied composer Jeffrey Thomson and lyricist Jordan Mann with a musical playlist spanning 80s new wave, 70s punk, and 90s Riot Grrrl anthems.
Creative Vision from Writer Darren Stein and Director Matt Di Carlo
Writer Darren Stein noted that he was initially hesitant to adapt his screenplay for the stage because musical theater is its own beast, but he was convinced by composer Jeffrey Thomson and lyricist Jordan Mann. According to Stein, the score blends Lady Gaga-style synth-pop tracks with melodic ballads, including a song titled “Peachy Keen” that Courtney sings while orchestrating the cover-up. Director Matt Di Carlo explained that the production utilizes dialogue to show the masks the characters wear while using music to reveal what they try to hide beneath the surface. Choreographer Jay Jackson incorporates influences from Busby Berkeley, Grease, Lady Gaga, and Ballroom culture to establish the staging’s “Satan-in-heels” energy.
Expert Insight: Workshops give us the space to ask questions, make discoveries…and be brave! It’s a massive experiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Jawbreaker The Musical run in Los Angeles?
The limited workshop engagement runs from September 4 through September 20, 2026, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM at the Hudson Backstage Theatre, located at 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038.
Who is in the creative leadership team for the musical?
The stage adaptation is written by original film creator Darren Stein, with music by Jeffrey Thomson, lyrics by Jordan Mann, direction by Matt DiCarlo, and choreography by Jay Jackson (Laganja Estranja).
What is the running time of the workshop performance?
The production has a run time of 90 minutes without intermission.
What elements of the original 1999 film do you hope to see reimagined most in this pop-concert stage adaptation?