Kristen Bell on the Off-Broadway Heathers Musical: ‘It’s Going to Shock People How Good It Is’

Kristen Bell might have been the first to play strip croquet in early workshop versions of the Heathers musical in 2010, but sadly, the stage and screen star won’t be reprising the role of jaded high schooler Veronica Sawyer off-Broadway this spring. “I’m 10 years too old to play that part,” Bell told The Daily Beast. “It’s an age thing. Ultimately I knew going into [the workshop], as the years progressed—this girl is supposed to be 17 and I’m 33—that me playing Veronica on stage wasn’t very likely.”

This isn’t to say the Frozen star isn’t totally bummed to give up the role of the 17-year-old murderess in what she calls a “crazy catchy” musical adaptation of the 1988 cult film. “To me, it’s way funnier than the movie,” she raves. “It’s going to shock people how good it is. I would be there opening day.” We’ll see you there, Kristen!

Heathers begins performances March 15, 2014 at off-Broadway's New World Stages, with an official opening night set for March 31. Directed by Andy Fickman with choreography by Emmy winner Marguerite Derricks, Heathers includes a book, music and lyrics by Tony nominee Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde) and Emmy winner Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness). The film about the hottest (and cruelest) girls in Ohio originally starred Winona Ryder as Veronica and Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk and Kim Walker as Heather, Heather and Heather.