Thats so fetch! McNicholas Theatre takes on Mean Girls

On March 7, McNicholas High School Theatre will present Mean Girls: High School Version. The musical, based off the 2004 movie Mean Girls written by Tina Fey, will run through March 9.

The musical takes place in a modern-day high school, with modern slang but still the same plot as the film. The musical is led by beloved characters such as Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith – also known as The Plastics – with the later addition to this group of Cady Heron.

The theatre has been working tirelessly for the past two months to perfect their performance. “They [the cast] has poured their heart and souls into this project,” states McNicholas Theatre teacher and director, Mrs. Leslie Baum.

“The show has become very comfortable and it’s very easy to recite the lines – the show has become very natural to us and it’s going to be great,” senior and actress of Regina George, Calla Garretson states.

The musical version of Mean Girls has been on Broadway since spring of 2018 but has a renewed fanbase after the movie adaptation, also written by Fey with music by Jeff Richmond, debuted in movie theatres in December of 2023.

“This was a show that my friends and I freshman year were obsessed with and dreamed of being in it so it’s like putting on our dream show,” senior and actress of Janice Ian, Taylor Ferenc states.

The modern twist of this musical keeps the message relatable to the current teen audience while still emphasizing the messages sent to the generation of teenagers who grew up with the original film. “It gives those subtle messages of being yourself and overcoming obstacles and insecurities in your life,” senior and actor of Aaron Samuels, Joe Hilbert states.

Mean Girls cast at first rehearsal in the Anderson Center on Sunday March 3, 2024. This is the cast and crew’s first day of tech week where they will spend long hours perfecting the show for opening night Thursday March 7, 2024.

Since this is a new musical, it is the first time it will be performed by the McNicholas Theatre program. The show will be at the Anderson Center off Five Mile Road. The Thursday and Friday shows are sold out. Seats are available for both the 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. performance on Saturday. Students are able to buy tickets here, as well as at the door and lunches on Thursday and Friday of this week.