Mean Girls

[rating=3]Let me start off my review of “Mean Girls”. the musical based on the movie written by Tina Fey ( music by  Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin ) by stating I am a grandfather of 8 from 9 years of age and up. If I were a high school sophomore ( or even a sharp freshman), the rating might be a “Must SEE”! To be honest, at intermission I spoke to a few younger people, who had seen the film and they were in ” heaven”, so let’s say that the younger you are ( within reason), the more you will love this show.

I will say that I did find it entertaining and the cast was bright and very spirited, energetic and talented. The running time of almost two-hours-thirty minutes with one 10 minute intermission was a bit longer that might be needed to tell this story. Oh yes, there is a story and if you really pay attention, a moral! The story is about a girl, Cady Heron ( a beautiful character presented by Danielle Wade) and her move from Kenya, Africa to an Illinois suburb, during her early high school years. The name of the town is unnamed, but FYI, the high school is named North Shore High School, so we can surmise that it could be anywhere from Lake Forest. Highland Park, New Trier, Deerfield or even one of the Glenbrooks. Your choice!

We all know the many stories where the outsider tries to get in with the “in crowd” , so we have seen the story before, or at least a variation of same. Think “Grease” and how Sandy tries to fit in with the “Pink Ladies”. In this one, the three main girls ( representing the “Mean Girls” are Gretchen (Megan Masko Haley), Karen ( adorablby played by Jonalyn Saxer) and the leader of the pack, Regina George (Mariah Rose Faith is perfect), They are the main girls at this campus. How can the newbie get in with them? Cady is in luck. She meets a special duo Damien Hubbard ( a dynamic Eric Huffman who is worth the price of the ticket to watch) and his “bestie” Janis Sarkisian ( played to perfection by Mary Kate Morrisey). they are almost the story tellers as well as main characters within, and it is in many ways due to their direction that Cady learns her true lesson ( and the moral of the story).” Be careful what you wish for”!

I certainly do not want to give away a great deal but will tell you that in this “coming of age” story, Cady who tries to undermine the powerful Regina finds herself changing and her persona becomes exactly what she hates about her arch enemy. Yes, there are lessons to be learned even in a musical that is aimed for teens. They get their point across! That is quite important and while the teens in the audience are laughing and having a great time, I would think that some of them, if not all, will get the point of the story. If you cross a Queen Bee, you will get stung. Cady learns her lesson and so do the others along the way. What more can anyone ask?

The ensemble is energetic and very talented.Gaelen Gilliland ( who plays a lot of mothers), Adante Carter ( who plays the love of life for both Cady and Regina), Kabir Bery, Lawrence E. Street, English Bernhardt, DeShawn Bowens, Will Braner, Morgan Ashley Bryant, Sarah Crane, Ixchel Cuellar, Mary Beth Donahoe, Niana Feelings, Sky Flaherty, Samuel Gerber, Fernell HoganII, Asia Marie Kreitz, Olivia Renteria, Grace Romanello, Sydney Mei Ruf-Wong, Marcus Shane, Kaitlyn Louise Smith, David Wright Jr. and Blake Zelesnikar. Great work. Some of the male ensemble members don women’s clothing for one of the numbers but you have to look very close to catch it.

I suppose if  were a 16 year old high school student my rating would be [rating=5].The show is fun ( but long) and there are some wonderful moments. The opening number in the second act is marvelous and Huffman’s Damian will bring a great deal of joy to those who love a solid tap dance number. The sets are a mix of sliding units and great projections. The concept of “the plastics” ( the “Mean Girls” are called this) is very real. We all recall our high school days and the special tables in the lunchroom. They existed back then, and evidently still do. It is fun to watch what transpires as Cady settles her score with Regina, but this is where the learning and moral comes in, so, if you are a parent of a teenager, or a teen yourself, listen to what is being said.

“Mean Girls” will continue at The Nederlander Theatre located at 24 West Randolph Street through January 26th with performances as follows:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m. ( on 12/31, an added 2 p.m.)

Wednesdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. ( on January 5th a 7:30 p.m. has been added)

SPECIAL: On Monday, December 30th a 7:30 p.m. performance

Tickets range from $30- $20 and are available at any of the Broadway In Chicago box offices, by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticketline at 800-775-2000 or online at http://www.BroadwayInChicago.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-up and click at “Mean Girls”.

Digital Lottery- $25 tickets day of performance, online at https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/show/meangirls/   good luck!