SFR Picks: Big Fun

Gag us with a spoon … we like it

Much of the popularity of 1988’s dark comedy cult hit Heathers is in its universally relatable themes. High school sucks (or sucked) for a lot of us, but even when the popular set was cruel or hateful or just made us sick to our stomachs, we still had that detestable little part of ourselves that wished they had thought we were cool or accepted us. Still, we never went so far as to actually kill the pretty girls. For those unfamiliar, Heathers tells the tale of Veronica Sawyer, a young misfit who finds herself absorbed by a group of popular girls known as The Heathers. Before long, Veronica meets and falls for JD, a morally corrupt new kid who enlists her to wreak vengeance on the stereotypically awful young women.

And there's the rub: the darkly absurd and devilishly funny aspect that reaches deep down into that awful part of us that thinks, "Yeah, Winona Ryder and Christian Slater—get 'em!" Of course, the over-the-top cliquish-ness of the Heathers in the film dramatically exaggerates reality for humor's sake, but that's why it's the perfect film-to-musical adaptation from the minds that brought us Reefer Madness and Bat Boy, and a killer (literally) choice for the theater program at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design. "Yes, it's dark, but it has the music, so that's like a spoonful of sugar," director Gail Springer says of Heathers the Musical. It's Springer's final show with the school after 35 years, including SFUAD's former identity as the College of Santa Fe. "The music brings out the satirical aspects a little more strongly," she adds.

Stylistically, the songs run the gamut from rock to chorus line and all points between. "There's a gospel-feeling number and an R&B-style song," says Donna Bella Litton, the 20-year-old musical theater major who plays Veronica. "The music has been challenging for a lot of us [in the cast], but—and maybe this sounds cliché—it's going to be an amazing show, and it was fun to explore that side of high school." Look, we'll make this simple—see this musical. (Alex De Vore)

Heathers the Musical:
7 pm Friday, April 22. $15
Greer Garson Theatre at SFUAD,
1600 St. Michael's Drive
988-1234

Stuff Your Face for Good

You’re a good person, right? And you like to go out to eat? In the spirit of these things, take special note of Kitchen Angel’s 18th annual Angels Night Out, a town-sprawling fundraising event featuring 29 local restaurants that will donate 25 percent of the day’s sales to the local nonprofit. “It’s a great community event, and we’ve got some new restaurants this year,” executive director of Kitchen Angels, Tony McCarty, says. “If you’re going out to eat anyway, choose one of our restaurants!” Tecolote, Santa Fe Bite, Vinaigrette and many more are on board, and you should be, too. (ADV)

Angels Night Out:
All day Thursday, April 21,
at various locations. Visit kitchen­angels.org
for a complete list of participants.

HELP

The Syrian refugee crisis is as real as ever, and there are still people doing something about it. People like John McKissick of Radical Abacus who, along with composer Grisha Krivchenia and soprano Tara Khozein, will host a benefit show featuring new compositions for Migrant Offshore Aid Station, a nonprofit that aids refugees. “Grisha, Tara and I are all committed to peace and justice in the Middle East for various personal and political reasons,” McKissick says. “This was a great way to use Radical Abacus to draw attention to a crisis that seems far away from us but is still so pressing.” (ADV)

Refuge: A Benefit for Syrian Refugees:
7 pm Saturday, April 23. $10.
Radical Abacus,
1226 Calle de Commercio

Six-String Gathering

If you ever wanted to play a guitar in a museum (without having to sneak in after hours with your no-good friends and a bottle of Night Train to play “Freebird”), you’re in luck. The New Mexico Museum of Art has an event that allows you to come in and play a donated Fender guitar. “We’re also raffling off tickets to win a Fender Squier electric and, in addition to that, an acoustic Yamaha Jr.,” says head of Education and Visitor Experience, Rebecca Aubin. This is the last day you can strum your ax in the museum without getting hassled by security. (Ben Kendall)

Sunday Guitar Show-Off:
Noon Sunday, April 24. Free.
New Mexico Museum of Art,
107 W Palace Ave.,
476-5072

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