The alum-written musical will feature a first-year lead and young alum as musical director
September 2026 – Drew University’s theatre productions have garnered praise for years in The Princeton Review’s annual rankings.
This year was no exception, as Drew ranked eighth in the country in the publication’s Best College Theater category, a list based on student feedback on the quality of schools’ student-run theatre productions.
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Photo: Lucy McLaughlin
The fall season of the Drew Theatre and Dance Department’s productions will be highlighted by Heathers The Musical.
Heathers The Musical, which is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, will be on stage at the Kean Black Box Theatre in Drew’s Dorothy Young Center for the Arts October 22-25.
Heathers has a strong connection to Drew, having been written by playwright Kevin Murphy C’89, who has come back to Drew to discuss the play with students in previous seasons. This fall, students will have the chance to speak with Murray in a virtual Q&A about the play and his career following one of the performances.
In another alumni tie-in, Joey Best C’24 has joined the production as musical director.
“There’s reverence in being an alum hired by Drew to work on an off- Broadway show written by an alum,” said Best. “It speaks to the power of maintaining close artistic relationships with the people I attended school with. Those who were once students and faculty have become employees and references, branching off on our careers while connecting our alma mater family to bigger and better opportunities. Drew’s presence in the theatre industry is built by internal support for the ones who dedicate our lives to theatre and dance, proving each year why what we do matters.”
The lead role will be performed by Madelyn Zaccari C’30, who got the role as a first-year student.
“To be honored with the leading role in my first year has proven to be a blessing because of all of the techniques and tips and tricks I’ve learned from my castmates and production team,” said Zaccari. “Being graced with this opportunity in my first year has pushed me to take a hold on my life, both from the genuine lessons learned in the play by my character and also through the leadership role it gives me.”
“It is extremely rare for a student to take on a lead role in a sophisticated production in their first few months in college,” added Kimani Fowlin, associate professor of Dance and chair of the Theatre and Dance Department. “It’s a testament to our program and the opportunities to be found at Drew.”
The department’s fall season will conclude with the Fall Dance Show November 19-21 in the Kean Black Box Theatre.
