- "ITS FROMMMM JAAAAPAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN"
- ―Rich (to Jeremy)
Rich Goranski is the secondary antagonist of "Be More Chill".
Character Description
With his Squip, Rich is the terror of the uncool kids and goes out of his way to make their lives difficult. Despite his meanness and almost certain criminal future, he has a secret.
Although there are few scenes that show Rich actually speaking and interacting with others while un-Squipped, it is obvious that his true personality is much different than his Squipped self; he is excitable, bubbly, and overall much nicer. [1]
About
At the beginning of the play, Rich is shown to bully Jeremy Heere, doing multiple things to terrorize him such as writing "boyf" on his bag, which later matches up with "riends" on Michael Mell's backpack, establishing the two's ship name. One day, he introduces Jeremy to the concept of Squips, claiming his Squip says he's 'not such a bad guy' now, and becomes Jeremy's friend, even inviting him over to play Xbox after Jeremy gets his Squip.
Jake later has a Halloween Party at his house, which was the 'biggest party of the fall' according to Michael.
At said party, Rich looks for Mountain Dew Red to deactivate his Squip, but is unable to find any. In the Off Broadway run, the alcohol then wears off a bit, which results in his Squip and him having a conversation, where his Squip asks "how [Rich] plans to stop them." Rich then grabs gasoline, and says "With this." He sets Jake's house on fire in an attempt to stop the Squips from spreading. In the Broadway version, he uses a Jack-O-Lantern to start the fire. Joe Iconis (the creator) explained it was also a suicide attempt. This results in him (and Jake) ending up in the hospital. Jake had broken both of his legs trying to escape the fire. However, many fans speculate that Jake tried to save Rich in the fire, and Joe Iconis stated that it was canon that Jake went back to save Rich.
It isn't until Jeremy and Michael visit Rich at the hospital that we learn something different about Rich - that, with his Squip deactivated, he now manages to realize he's bisexual. After the Squip is gone there is also a clear change in his personality; he's goofy, sweet, and much kinder than his Squipped self.
"From now on the ladies are gonna get to know the real Richard Goranski . . . and the dudes . . . oh my god, I am totally bi." - Rich (at the hospital)
Physical Appearance
Rich is short and stocky. He often calls Jeremy tall-ass (most likely in jealousy).
According to the book, he has a red strip in the middle of his hair. This is compared to a rooster. Many people still draw him with this feature when referring to the musical. He is also often drawn with patches on his skin, most likely being freckles or scars after the fire.
- In his first appearance, he wears a Popaganda x Mishka collab shirt [2] with the sleeves cut off
- In the 2018 NYC revival, Rich's appearance is updated with the red streak mentioned previously and a green headband that he wears.
- In some pictures from the original off-Broadway Two River Theater showing back in 2015, (which I do not know if it still exists in current versions), Rich is seen in a flannel jacket.
- Rich is seen wearing camouflage pants.
Appearances
Major:
Minor:
Mentions:
Trivia
- He has a lisp (which was temporarily fixed by his SQUIP)
- Rich’s height is stated to be 5’5” (1,65 m) in the script.
- Rich mentions having an older brother in Halloween.
- He's good friends with Jake and Brooke
- Joe has stated "I think Rich would ask Michael [to prom]. He's totally bi now."[3]
- In the 2019 Broadway production, it is implied that Rich and Michael get together at the end
- Joe Iconis confirmed he believed Rich and Jake would make some beautiful short babies.
- Rich is canonically suicidal, and it is hinted that he suffers from depression.
- Rich has a female SQUIP. This was confirmed into 2018 Off-Broadway show after the Halloween scene.
- Gerard Canonico once said in a podcast that Rich's Squip is canonically Lara Croft.
- It was said by Joe that Rich's SQUIP is Evil Kermit, but when asked about it by someone he confessed he was just joking. He encourages others to make up their own theories about what isn't in the script.
- There has been signs and theories that Rich has been treated badly and abused at home.
- It is said later in the musical that his dad is an alcoholic. He is hinted at being abusive.
References
Gallery
