Heathers the Musical
By Lawrence Machado Heathers the Musical The only thing old about this Galston local is his name. What 19-year-old Mitchell Old lacks in experience, he makes up for in energy, drive and lofty plans for the theatre.
He boldly started The Mitchell Old Company during the pandemic in 2020 and staged his successful debut show, The Last Five Years, at the Pioneer Theatre in February.
Now, Old is bringing Heathers The Musical, created by Kevin Murphy, Laurence O’Keefe and Andy Fickman, to the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre from August 5-14, and tickets are moving fast.
Heathers the Musical, based on the 1989 movie, is the story of Veronica Sawyer (Tiegan Denina), a brainy, beautiful girl who hustles her way into the powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High.
“The production is incredibly exciting with an incredibly accomplished cast,” the exuberant CEO and director said. “We are very lucky to be having the music in the middle of Darling Harbour. “We have one of the biggest Sydney stars, Michele Lansdown, and I have a phenomenal young team working with me.”
Old quit university to focus on his new career and his commitment is paying off with actors contacting him for roles.
“I get CVs from people wanting to be in the shows so it’s a refreshing feeling to see many people wanting to work with me,” Old said.
Beaumont Hills actress Kira Leiva has high praise for him. “Mitchell is such a hard-working person who blows us away with his work ethic,” said Leiva who studied and performed in New York for four years. “He is doing such a great job.”
“Heathers is a lot of fun, very bold and high energy and the cast is so incredibly talented. I play one of the three Heathers and my character is pretty mean but it’s a fun role.”
The musical includes other locals, Andrew Schwimmer from North Rocks and Danica Rojas (Kellyville) while Harrison Alexander (North Rocks) is the musical director. 
Leiva, who has featured in movies, returned to Sydney just before New York’s lockdown last March. She loved being close to Broadway and being taught by professional actors, including Tony Award-winning Lindsay Mendez and Sierra Boggess.
The Castle Hill High School alumni won an international scholarship to study at the acclaimed American Musical Dramatic Academy in 2016. She also trained at Atlantic Acting School.
“When I was around nine years, my parents, Veronica and Hector, lived in New Jersey for a few years and I fell in love with Broadway.
“I was already into music, dancing and singing in Sydney and was a member of the Australian Girls Choir.”
Heathers The Musical at the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre (Darling Harbour) from August 5-14. Tickets: From $62.95 from www.mitchellold.com.au
