Mean Girls, the Broadway musical based 2004, hilarious coming-of-age story written by Tina Fey is making Fetch Happen right here in Music City as the National Tour comes to Nashville’s TPAC February 8-13. With less than a week until all of Nashville will be conspiring to add names to their burn books, and wearing pink, regardless of whether it’s Wednesday or not, and I recently had a chance to chat with two of the stars of the show, Jonalyn Saxer, who’s playing my favorite member of The Plastics, Karen and Nashville’s own Kabir Bery, who’s playing everyone’s favorite smooth-talking mathlete, Kevin G. What follows are those conversations, first with Jonalyn Saxer, and then, Kabir Bery.
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RAPID FIRE WITH MEAN GIRLS‘ KAREN, JONALYN SAXER
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Before we even really get started, I just gotta say it…I love your first name! I mean those of us with similar spellings have to stick together, right? So, is it a family name, or, like my folks, was it something your parents just liked and thought sounded good?
JONALYN SAXER: Thanks! My parents named me after my grandparents on my Dad’s side, Kay and John. So they wanted a female version of the name John, and found “Jonalyn” in a random baby names book! Then my middle name is Kay. I do go by a lot of nicknames though, I get called Jon, Jonni, JK, or even just J sometimes!
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: From what I understand, you’ve been with Mean Girls from the very beginning first as an ensemble member in the labs and out of town tryouts, then onto the Broadway company and for the last few years, the tour, During that time, what other roles have you covered besides your current as Karen?
JONALYN SAXER: Correct! I originated the Ensemble track named Taylor Wedell (who is also the girl who doesn’t go here), and I understudied Karen, Cady, and Regina.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Of course Mean Girls is based on the movie of the same name, the brainchild of Tina Fey. In fact, Tina even wrote the book of the musical, with Tina’s husband, Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin providing the music and lyrics respectively. To my way of thinking, Tina is this generation’s Lucille Ball. She’s hilariously funny, ridiculous talented and just as impressive as the talent or the creative force behind the scenes. What’s been your most cherished aspect of working with her, Jeff and the entire creative team?
JONALYN SAXER: What I love about Tina, Jeff, Nell, and Casey is their willingness to let you be you, and their openness to change. The show went through so many different versions from the lab, to the out of town, to broadway, and even with some changes on tour. They weren’t precious with anything, if it wasn’t working, they’d come in the next day with a whole new scene or a whole new song. I think we had something like 7 new songs going into broadway rehearsals from the out of town. That kind of work environment gives everyone the freedom to try things that might fail, and to be creative and grow in the process. I also appreciate that throughout it all, they always encourage us to be our own version of the characters. When I was in rehearsal for the tour, they made sure I knew that I didn’t have to be Kate. I had the freedom to do my own version of Karen. Which you don’t always get in a show.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: If my research proves correct, during your time as a member of the Broadway production, you stepped into the role of Karen some fifty times. Do you remember anything specific about your first night as everyone’s favorite pink-wearing seemingly ditzy blonde member of The Plastics?
JONALYN SAXER: I remember getting off the subway at 50th station, on my way to my normal call for my ensemble track, turning off airplane mode, and getting about a dozen calls and messages from our Stage manager and our dance captain. I walked into the building, went straight to the office and said “so I’m on? Okay!” It all was really a blur, but I remember Ashley Park being just so, so supportive. She even said at one point during the show “you’re doing great! You could literally just play this role!” And here I am now, doing just that! I also remember that I was so nervous during the entrance, that my mouth got so tense from being frozen in a smile while Regina is singing, that it started twitching so bad. I must have looked crazy.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: While Amanda Seyfried originally brought Karen to life in the film, with Kate Rockwell initially portraying her in the Broadway production. What’s the biggest challenge of not only bringing such an iconic character to the stage night after night, but also making her your own?
JONALYN SAXER: I think it was a little difficult to transition from being an understudy to doing the role in the tour. As an understudy, I always try to honor what the person does every night. Mostly because the other actors on stage have built their show around that version of the character. Obviously, I will never be someone else, but I try to keep the beats in the same world. When we went in to tour rehearsal, I had to make the character completely my own, because Karen is also not a stand alone character. My Karen is very dependent on who the Gretchen and Regina are. Megan and I have built Karen and Gretchen together, so making it my own was actually the easier choice.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: There’s so many classic lines in the film, and now, the musical. Is there a line, a scene or scenario, whether yours or someone else’s, that still makes you giggle?
JONALYN SAXER: Weirdly, I never really plan how to say (and I’m hesitant to say the line and give away the joke) “And that’s why I only get naked with people in person.” I think I really feel the moment with how the audience is responding, and I truly surprise myself every night. It doesn’t help that I’m staring our Cady and Damien in the eyes and I can see them also laughing at me.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of iconic lines, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink”. That line leads me to my next two questions. First…Gregg Barnes costumes for the show are perfection. Who get’s the award for your personal favorite costume of the entire show?
JONALYN SAXER: Oh I love Gregg Barnes so much. Not only does he make literally everyone look amazing, he also is so about making sure YOU feel personally comfortable and happy with how you look. I love so many costumes for so many different reasons in the show. But I secretly love how Regina starts World Burn in a black outfit, but ends it in a white outfit. Such a great way to accentuate the storytelling of the moment.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Secondly…what color best represents Jonalyn and why?
JONALYN SAXER: PINK. It’s so hilarious because Pink has always been my favorite color. It’s the color of my favorite princess, Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty), and I just love everything pink. So when I booked this show I was so excited. Unfortunately, not a lot of other people feel the same way that I do about pink. So a lot of our Merch/gifts for openings and such were not pink. I was always sad that we weren’t only getting aggressively pink things.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Your acting resume from your Broadway debut in Bullets Over Broadway and more Broadway roles in Cats, Honeymoon in Vegas and Holiday Inn to your recent feature film debut in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. What can you tell me about your thoughts on some of those career highlights?
JONALYN SAXER: You know, I get asked all the time what is my favorite show of the ones I’ve done. And I have a really hard time choosing, because every single job has been a huge learning experience. Each show has given me so much in experience as well as the people I have met. I truly am the performer I am today because of each experience. I don’t think I would have been able to handle being an understudy in Mean Girls if I hadn’t had the experience I had swinging Cats. I was in a place in Mean Girls that made me free and able to walk into the room at West Side Story and be sure of myself and go for it. I guess a highlight would be dancing for Steven Spielberg and Justin Peck? Or being fresh out of college and doing my toddlers in tiaras impression for Susan Stroman? Telling Rob McClure when he asked if we had met before, that maybe he was thinking of the time I stage doored Chaplin? It’s truly all so unbelievable to me, and I’m just so thankful. So everyday I come to work I am so grateful and take it as such a blessing.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: It’s crazy to think it’s been nearly 20 years since 2004’s Mean Girls movie. Heck, it’s been four years since the musical debuted. Even so, the themes have been and will be relatable forever. Aside for tons of laughs, is there an underlying message or ideal you hope the show’s new generation of young fans take with them after seeing the show?
JONALYN SAXER: Of course! I think one of the main messages of the show is that, we should all just be the wonderful, unique people we are. What makes the show so relatable over many years, unfortunately, is that we all go through that time early in our lives, and even (honestly) all throughout life, where we just want to belong with those around us. We’re all fighting to belong and to be liked, when the true key is to just be our own, true selves. It’s a message that I’m grateful to hear every night. In the past 4 years I’ve gone through major life changes and growth, and I got to come to work and have someone remind me, that I’m awesome the way I am. It’s great for every generation to connect that we’re really all struggling with the same thing at its core.
RAPID FIRE 10 Q WITH MEAN GIRLS‘ KEVIN G, KABIR BERY
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Before we get going, I should probably just admit that while doing a little research to chat with you, I checked in with your high school theatre teacher, my friend Daron Bruce for a little insider info. Having gone to Hume-Fogg, how much does it mean to you to be playing Kevin G in Mean Girls…in your own hometown while on tour?
KABIR BERY: I love Mr. Bruce! He does wonders for high school students interested in the performing arts, and I am lucky to call him a mentor and friend. To answer your question, getting the opportunity to perform at TPAC is something I have been dreaming of since I was a kid. I feel honored to be able to say I grew up in Nashville, and I cannot wait to give the community a great show!
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: During your high school career, you appeared in productions of West Side Story, Hairspray and Cabaret and were featured in Spelling Bee, The King and I and Sweeney Todd, and according to Daron, you did a particularly memorable turn as Usnavi in In The Heights. I’m sure your memories of appearing in all those shows are many, but do you have a personal highlight you feel like you’ll never forget?
KABIR BERY: Every show I was fortunate enough to be a part of at Hume-Fogg was incredibly memorable. That said, playing Usnavi in In The Heights was the highlight of my high school career given the fact that it was my last show there and I got to do it along side my best friends. Not to mention the fact that it was the last time I got to step out onto the HFA stage. I will never forget that final curtain call.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: You joined the Mean Girls family when the tour began in September 2019. As with all live theatre, the tour took an unexpected hiatus in March 2020, but resumed November 2021. What was it like stepping back onstage when the tour returned?
KABIR BERY: It felt like I never left. There is just something so magical about the Mean Girls cast and crew, and it truly feels like a family. In my experience, whenever you reunite with family, you kind of just pick up where you left off.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Your Mean Girls character, Kevin G—for those who might need a refresher—is a confident ladies man who’s also Captain of North Shore High’s Mathletes. Two attributes that don’t alway seem to go together when thinking of a teenage boy. How much fun is it to be playing him?
KABIR BERY: Kevin G is easily one of the most fun roles in all of musical theater. I could not have asked for a better role to make my debut. I get to be a goof with a heart of gold that raps and dances every night. Sometimes twice a day! What more could you ask for?
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Fans of the movie no doubt remember Kevin G’s rap. For the musical adaptation, Kevin’s featured prominently in not one, but two raps, Whose House is This? and Do This Thing, both high energy numbers. Do you have any pre-show rituals to help you keep your energy up?
KABIR BERY: My pre-show ritual starts when I wake up. During the run of a show like Mean Girls, you have to tailor your day to the show. Eating the right things, exercising, and drinking tons of water are all things that aid in a better and smoother show for me. A little caffeine here and there also doesn’t hurt.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Both of your featured numbers also include many members of the ensemble. You mentioned earlier that returning felt like reuniting with family. Is it cliche to say the ensemble becomes family, especially while touring the country in a show like Mean Girls?
KABIR BERY: It couldn’t be more true. The whole cast is a family. This group of people is easily one of the most talented, supportive, and loving that I have ever had the pleasure to work with.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: As I mentioned above, the TPAC stop brings you home. Now, I know with the continuing safety protocols, downtime while on tour looks a little different these days, but have your fellow castmates began hitting you up to play tour guide while in Music City? and…What are your top three things to see/do while in Nashville?
KABIR BERY: I have definitely gotten quite a few recommendation requests! My top 3 things to do are 1) eat at Hattie B’s, 2) check out the Frist, and 3) go explore Opryland!
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: When I spoke with Jonalyn for the first half of this Rapid Fire 20 Q, I asked her about being with the show since its early days in lab and pre-Broadway. Danielle Wade, who’s starring in the tour as Cady, also appeared in the Broadway run. How important is it to you to forge friendships with your castmates in an effort to glean life lessons from them?
KABIR BERY: Friendships within the cast happen organically. The amount of experience that is in this cast is infinite, and I have definitely learned a lot from all of my castmates. They are superstars; I am in awe of them everyday.
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: In preparing for our conversation, I read a bit about the Mean Girls Artist Impact Team and @changeisfetch.. Can you tell me a little about that initiative?
KABIR BERY: CHANGE IS FETCH is an initiative led by members of our company that are dedicated to inspiring change and providing positive ways to take action. It is a wonderful endeavor, and I encourage all readers to go check it out!
JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Is there a life lesson, obvious, or otherwise, among Mean Girls that you yourself try to remember and bring into practice?
KABIR BERY: Be yourself. It’s a cliche, but it’s so valid and important. Too often, people try to fit a certain mold in attempts to be liked by their peers. I think it’s important to allow yourself to be you. The right people for you will gravitate towards that.
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Mean Girls comes to TPAC’s Jackson Hall February 8 and continues through February 13. Curtain for Tuesday the 8th -Thursday the 10th is at 7:30p.m. Friday the 11th’s performances begins at 8p.m. Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are two show days with a Saturday matinee at 2p.m., a Saturday evening performance at 8p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 1 and early evening performance at 6:30p.m. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.
As TPAC continues their commitment to their patron’s safety, certain protocols are in place. To that end, attendees age 12+will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test dated within 72 hours of their selected performance. All patrons age 6+ must wear masks inside the venue. CLICK HERE for more on TPAC‘s Patron Health initiative.
Not in Nashville or can’t make it to TPAC for Mean Girls? Be sure and check out Mean Girls‘ official site for future dates as the national tour continues. You can also follow Mean Girls on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
For the latest on TPAC and their upcoming Broadway Season and Special Presentations, including The Prom, Dear Evan Hansen, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, What the Constitution Means to Me, Come From Away, Oklahoma! and May We All, be sure to check out TPAC online and on socials by clicking any of the following: TPAC.org, TPAC on Instagram, TPAC on Facebook, TPAC on Twitter and TPAC on YouTube.
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