Isabella Esler, John Cardoza to star in ‘Heathers’ off Broadway

The Beetlejuice and The Notebook stage stars will replace Kuhoo Verma and Casey Likes in the musical revival at New World Stages beginning in late April.

Summary

• Isabella Esler and John Cardoza will star as Veronica and J.D. in Heathers off Broadway starting April 27
• They will replace Kuhoo Verma and Casey Likes
• Esler and Cardoza have appeared in Broadway musicals and now make their Off-Broadway debuts

Welcome to Westerberg High! Isabella Esler and John Cardoza will join the cast of Heathers The Musical off Broadway, assuming the roles of Veronica Sawyer and Jason “J. D.” Dean from Kuhoo Verma and original cast member Casey Likes starting on April 27.

Esler made her Broadway debut as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice in 2025. Cardoza is known for starring in the Broadway musicals Moulin Rouge! as Christian and The Notebook as Younger Noah. Both now make their Off-Broadway debuts in Heathers, joining a cast that also includes Peyton List as Heather Chandler, Jackera Davis as Heather Duke, Elizabeth Teeter as Heather McNamara, Kate Rockwell as Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom, Erin Morton as Martha Dunnstock, Xavier McKinnon as Ram Sweeney, Cade Ostermeyer as Kurt Kelly, Adam Bashian as Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper, and Jimmy Ray Bennett as Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal Gowan.

Verma will play her final performance April 12, and standby Sara Al-Bazali will play Veronica from April 13-26. Likes will play his final performance on April 26.

Adapted from the cult classic 1988 movie, Heathers follows teenage outcast Veronica Sawyer, who ascends to popularity with the exclusive Heathers clique while discovering that being a somebody is killer — perhaps literally.

Heathers is currently scheduled to play at New World Stages through September 6.

Get Heathers tickets now.

Photo credit: Isabella Esler and John Cardoza. (Photos courtesy of production)