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

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

Summary

• Isabella Esler; John Cardoza; and Zan Berube will star as Veronica; J.D. ; and Heather Chandler in Heathers off Broadway starting April 27
• They will replace Kuhoo Verma; Casey Likes; and Peyton List
• All three make their Off-Broadway debuts

Welcome to Westerberg High! Isabella Esler, John Cardoza, and Zan Berube will join the cast of Heathers The Musical off Broadway. They assume the roles of Veronica Sawyer, Jason “J. D.” Dean, and Heather Chandler from Kuhoo Verma, original cast member Casey Likes, and Peyton List 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. Berube has starred in the national tours of Back to the Future: The Musical as Lorraine Baines and Six as Anne Boleyn.

All three now make their Off-Broadway debuts in Heathers, joining a cast that also includes 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 and List will play their final performances 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.