The core premise and plot remain faithful to the original, focused on social hierarchy and revenge rather than identity politics. However, the musical adds the prominent Act 2 gospel number 'My Dead Gay Son,' in which the jocks' homophobic fathers (Ram's Dad and Kurt's Dad) embrace their sons' supposed homosexuality via the forged suicide note and reveal their own past gay affair, turning the scene into an explicit acceptance anthem.

This introduces modern LGBTQ+ framing and homophobia critique absent from the source film. Casting across productions, including the one depicted on the poster with a visibly diverse ensemble member among the Heathers figures, follows colorblind policies that explicitly encourage 'diversity of every kind' and have placed non-white actors in traditionally white roles like Ram Sweeney.

Some stagings have reimagined J.D. as female for queer romances, and the song 'Blue' was revised or removed due to concerns over trivializing sexual assault. These elements influence subplots and production choices without redefining the central narrative of popularity and violence.