On Tuesdays we wear pink. No, that’s not an autocorrect or typo. It was just the apparent preferred outfit of the day (#OOTD if you speak internet abbreviations) of many patrons attending Nashville’s Opening Night of Mean Girls National Tour and the hilarious Broadway show settles in at TPAC now thru Sunday, February 13 for their Music City tour stop. Of course the fit choice and misquote above are in reference to one of Mean Girls’ most quotable quotes when The Plastics, the girls that rule the school proudly proclaim to new girl Cady, “On Wednesdays we wear pink”.
Based on 2004’s teen comedy of the same name, from the brilliant mind of SNL alum, Tina Fey, the Mean Girls musical presents a cautionary tale about teens trying to fit in while simultaneously hoping to stand out. Though it’s based on the 2004 film, and does indeed contain the majority of the source material’s now quotable lines and catchphrases, the creative team wisely chose to update the pop culture references. This is evidenced even before the action begins as the scrim on stage is projected with images from the burn book, revealing current trash talk slang and digs.
As mentioned, this is a cautionary tale. Heck, the opening number is even titled A Cautionary Tale, in which emo-ish Janis (Mary Kate Morrisey) and the fabulously “too gay to function” Damian Hubbard (Eric Huffman), though song, neatly explain the primary plot of how far one would go to be popular.
The subjects of Janis and Damian’s warning are new students Cady Heron (Danielle Wade) and the aforementioned Plastics: Karen Smith (Jonalyn Saxer), Gretchen Wieners (Megan Masako Haley) and Plastics’ queen bee, Regina George (Nadina Hassan). Offering a hilariously relatable take on the tried and true fish out of water scenario, Cady’s family have recently moved from Kenya to Illinois, and as Cady soon learns and extols in the show’s second number It Roars, she’s basically traded one jungle for another. Even the school mascot is a lion and It Roars cleverly marks the similarities between the animals of the jungle and the animalistic traits of teens. As if the lion mascot and pride lands comparisons weren’t blatant enough, even the LED set design of It Roars smartly spoofs that other pride lands musical…you know the one. In fact, it just wrapped its latest Nashville visit last month, but I digress.
On her first day at North Shore High, Cady meets Janis and Damian. In the cafeteria, Damian channels the likes of Gene Kelly and Old Hollywood musicals as he poses the age old high school hierarchy query Where Do You Belong?. Y’all! I’m here to tell you the number’s all-in, over-the-top tray-ography is the best high school musical lunchtime number since Hot Lunch from OG high school musical movie, Fame. Think Stomp meets 42nd Street and you’re almost there.
Meet the Plastic, simply does as it suggests, it serves to introduce Cady (and the audience) to Regina and company. Regina begins the number with a sultry and seductive sequence that beautifully showcases Hassan’s vocal talents. Next up, it’s Gretchen’s intro featuring a fast-paced frantic tempo, perfectly mimicking the character’s position in regards to Regina. Masako Haley plays the unconfident second fiddle to the hilt. Lastly, Saxer’s Karen wraps the intro in the most concise and brief way imaginable. Spot on for the seemingly vapid Karen.
As is the case with most teen stories, in addition to the clique system, there’s also, inevitably, a love story. To that end, meet Aaron Samuels (Adante Carter), with his chisled features, no wonder Cady finds herself falling in Stupid Love at first sight. Spoiler Alert: Aaron is Regina’s ex. (Ok, so that shouldn’t be a spoiler alert to many, considering the movie upon which all this is based was released nearly 20 years ago).
Next up, it’s time for Morrisey’s Janis to shine as she warns Cady not to get too close to Regina in Apex Predator. Not to sound as dim as Karen, but I had never heard the term before, so I looked it up. This is one of my favorite moments in the entire show. Here’s the thing though, the entire show is filled with favorite moments. While attending Tuesday’s performance, my friend Kat Bailess and I found ourselves saying “that’s my favorite number so far” after pretty much every single numbers.
Not long after, Masako Haley’ Gretchen gets the spotlight in the telling What’s Wrong with Me? With lyrics like “Mama called me beautiful but I don’t believe that anymore”, it’s an anthem of uncertainty, that’s no double relatable to each and everyone who’s ever had even the slightest doubt about their place in the world. I’ve a feeling these past two years have made us all a little more uncertain on this front. Again, a prime example of the variety of tunes featured throughout the show. Some might say that makes this production formulaic, but to me, if honors the genre of musicals as a whole, from the expected big production numbers to the more intimate glimpses into the characters’ very souls.
Sexy follows. For fans of the movie, this is the Halloween costume party sequence. Saxer’s Karen is brilliantly funny in this number, as are some of the costumes, including Sexy Corn, Sexy Jaws, Sexy Abe Lincoln, Sexy Eleanor Roosevelt and yes, Sexy Rosa Parks. Choreo for this number also lives up to its name with a little shimmy, shake and the occasional bump & grind. Pretty sure I saw nods to everything from Hamilton to Magic Mike amongst the moves throughout Mean Girls, and I loved every one of them.
The remainder of Act 1 continues to escalate the drama. First Regina reveals to Aaron that Cady has a crush on him while simultaneously—and purposely—luring him back to her with Somebody Gets Hurt. Janis, Damian and Cady join forces to retaliate during Revenge Party. Then Fearless sees a shift in power as Cady stands up to Regina and in doing so, gets support from Karen and Gretchen, all four numbers lay the groundwork for the action of Act 2.
Following intermission, Damian, realizing Cady’s in too deep advises with the show’s most tap-tactic number, Stop. Next, Gretchen offers up a reprise of What’s Wrong With Me?. Then Kevin G (Nashville’s own Kabir Bery) who’s been primarily background during Act 1, steps front and center alongside Cady, Gretchen, Karen and the ensemble for the high energy Whose House is This? There’s just something magical about seeing a performer back in their hometown and whether the majority of the audience knew it or not, the energy of that performance was high octane fabulousness.
Another highlight of Act 2 comes midway through with World Burn. Yes, this is the moment when Regina takes the Burn Book and uses it to take down Cady. The lighting, the digital images and Regina’s stark, sinister monochromatic black on black fit blend perfectly illuminate the sinister nature of her actions.
Of course, like all teen drama, real of fictionalized, everything eventually wraps up in a neat little happy ending package but not before yet another high energy rap courtesy Kevin G, more revelations from Cady and a touching final number, I See Stars.
As she had done for the 2004 film, Tina Fey wrote the book of the musical, while husband Jeff Richmond (30 Rock, SNL, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and more) wrote the music and Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde, Because of Winn Dixie) crafted the lyrics. The entire creative team deserves praise, including director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw, scenic designer Scott Pack, costumer Gregg Barnes, et al.
Mean Girls continues its Nashville tour stop through Sunday, 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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Saw this show opening season in New York. The Nashville show was great, but some of the funniest lines were left out, which changed the flow of the show. Overall entertaining, but would have enjoyed it more if the sound was better. The actresses have beautiful powerful voices, but there mics were turned up so high you could watch the people around you cover their ears. If they can work through this issue it would be a better show.