“On Wednesdays, we wear pink;” “That was so fetch;” “I’m not like a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.” If you know right away where these quotes are from and are a musical theatre lover, we have some good news for you. Coinciding with the 20th(!) anniversary of the iconic film, Mean Girls the musical version will soon return to the stage in Toronto – the city where it was shot. The hit musical comedy comes from an award-winning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), director Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), and producer/proud Torontonian Lorne Michaels (Saturday Night Live).
For those (somehow) in need of a refresher, Mean Girls documents the trials and tribulations of Cady Heron, who was raised in Africa and homeschooled by her scientist parents, in her new cliquey high school in suburban Illinois. She soon finds herself entangled in the mean-spirited antics of a trio of designer-clad frenemies led by the ruthless Regina George, who Cady plans to kick off her throne.
The production takes the stage at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre on July 30.
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Inspiration Straight from the (Like, Really Pretty) Source
Natalie Shaw, a New York and South Dakota-based actor, plays Cady Heron in the upcoming Mirvish show. While the film may have been released back in 2004, Shaw says it was a staple in her home. “Mean Girls was a sleepover watch, what we’d put on during a ‘snow day’ in North Dakota, and overall one of the most quotable and memorable films of my adolescence,” says Heron. “The movie definitely left an indelible mark on pop culture and my own girlhood.”
Naturally, landing the role in the musical meant a perfect excuse to dive into the film again (and again). “For the first two weeks of rehearsals, I would (embarrassingly) watch clips of the film on my train ride to rehearsals,” recalls Shaw. “It wasn’t until Casey Hushion, our tour director, pulled me aside one day and said, ‘You’re the only Cady Heron that exists right now. Make it your own.’ That was really freeing, and helped me let go of the pressure to deliver carbon copy performances of the icons who did it before me (Lindsay Lohan and Erika Henningsen).”
Detroit native, Maya Petropoulos, who makes her international tour debut as Regina George, also calls the original 2004 film a sleepover classic. “I was super familiar with the original film,” says Petropoulos. “I love the original film, as well as the book the film is based on. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I watched Mean Girls at my middle school sleepovers!”
A Woman-Powered Production
Aside from the nostalgia, feel-good musical numbers, and witty humour, one of the most celebrated aspects of Mean Girls is that it was created and performed by women. “I love that this is a woman-centric show; that doesn’t happen often in musical theatre or movies,” says Shaw. “I love that the musical brings an outrageous kind of humour that’s usually catered more for dude-centric stories.”
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As for the storyline, Shaw says it highlights a societal reality of women. “In my opinion, the message of Mean Girls is about how girls and women are pitted against each other, and how we tend to hold each other to impossible standards,” says Shaw. “I think it’s also about survival. We all desperately want to be accepted in the world, but sometimes we use our meanness as a survival tactic just to climb the social hierarchy and feel included. But there’s so much more power in working together, especially when women support women.”
Petropoulos says she hopes audiences will leave feeling inspired. “I hope they leave feeling represented on stage in ways that they haven’t been before,” says Petropoulos. “I hope little girls leave feeling inspired seeing a show led by women. I hope people of colour leave our show knowing there is a place for them on stage and on screen. I hope we inspire the younger generation to follow their hearts and their dreams.”
Mean-ingful Takeaways
While it’s undoubtedly inspirational, the production shines a light on the challenges of high school, especially in today’s social media-saturated climate. “I like that this story is honest, and boldly points out how confusing and challenging high school life can be, no matter what generation you belong to,” says Shaw. “What I love the most about Cady Heron is how complex of a character she is. She goes through this wild arc of outcast new kid, to floater, to repulsive queen bee, to outcast again, and finally back to her original, true form. It’s a challenge to interpret that live on stage every night, and to persuade the audience to root for me even when I go to the dark side.”
Key messaging aside, Petropoulos praises the show for its visual aesthetics. “What I love most about this production lies within our lighting design,” she says. “Because we don’t have the original LED screens, our show has so much colour through light and it’s amazing watching our world come to life that way! The bursts of pink, the yellow flames, it’s such great addition to the piece.”
Those in the market for a feel-good musical will find it in this production. “The main point is found in the final line of dialogue in the show; ‘Even the people you don’t like are still people too,” says Petropoulos. “You don’t have to like everyone, you don’t have to be best friends with everyone, but everyone deserves common decency and to not be judged. Everyone is dealing with something. Always be kind and lead with an open heart.”
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If you’re intrigued, what Shaw calls the “splashy, exuberant, and hilarious” production of the timeless classic hits the Toronto stage in just a few weeks. Mean Girls will play The Royal Alexandra Theatre from July 30 – August 25, 2024. Tickets are on sale now at Mirvish.com.
