Kate Rockwell Will Take Over for Kerry Butler in HEATHERS In October and November

On Wednesdays, we do Heathers! Kate Rockwell will step into the role of Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom from Oct. 10 to Nov. 10. Kerry Butler, who currently plays the role, will be absent from Westerburg while she stars in Bat Boy at New York City Center. Butler will return to the production on Nov. 12.

Rockwell is best known for originating the role of Karen Smith in Mean Girls on Broadway. She earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance. She also originated the role of Skylar in Bring It On: The Musical, and has been seen in Rock of Ages, Hair, and Legally Blonde. 

“It makes total sense to me — I’ve survived high school multiple times, so I feel totally qualified to graduate to staff!” Rockwell said. “I’m thrilled to join Heathers and keep Kerry’s desk warm for her. She’s an icon!”

Heathers features book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe. It is based on the film by Daniel Waters. The production, directed by Andy Fickman, officially opened on July 10, 2025. 

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she's unexpectedly taken under the wings of The Heathers – three beautiful and impossibly cruel classmates all named Heather – her dreams of popularity finally start to come true. That is until J.D., the mysterious teen rebel, turns up and teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.

Rockwell will step into the production alongside Lorna Courtney as Veronica, Casey Likes as JD, McKenzie Kurtz as Heather Chandler, Olivia Hardy as Heather Duke, Elizabeth Teeter as Heather McNamara, and Erin Morton as Martha. 

Heathers the Musical runs at New World Stages on West 50th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit here.