Review: MEAN GIRLS, Kimmel Cultural Campus - US National Tour
Photo credit: Jenny Anderson
Philadelphia’s Kimmel Cultural Campus opened its 2023-2024 Broadway Season with Mean Girls, which is in the second stop for the brand new North American tour. The show opened on what is unofficially known as ‘Mean Girls Day’, October 3rd, to a pink carpet and festivities but you know if you go on a Wednesday, you must wear pink! On the same day it opened in Philadelphia, the West End announced that Mean Girls would open at the Savoy Theatre in June 2024.
Mean Girls the Musical has a book by Tina Fey, music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. It is based on the 2004 film by Fey, which is based on the 2002 book ‘Queen Bees and Wannabes’ by Rosalind Wiseman. Mean Girls was nominated and won Outstanding Book of a Musical by both the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critic Awards. Unfortunately, the Broadway run opened in January 2020 and closed on March 11 2020 so it never had the opportunity to become a long running musical but it is “so fetch” on tour! While much of the critical response is less than enthusiastic, we can assure you that we, and many members of the audience, feel that parts of the musical are actually funnier and more delightful than the movie. The dancing is especially exceptional with hip-hop, tap, and a myriad of other influences.
The cast of Mean Girls is comprised of twelve actors, playing sixteen roles. Ethan Jih- Cook is absolutely outstanding in his portrayal of Damian Hubbard. A hometown hero who recently graduated from Friends Central School in Wynnewood, PA, this is Jih-Cook’s first Broadway tour and he is delightful and charming as he holds the stage like he has been doing it for decades, with Alexys Morera also fantastic as goth punk, Janis Sarkisian. Natalie Shaw plays the lead character, Cady Heron, whom she portrays as likeable and repulsive and then likeable again throughout the show. Her smile is so big and genuine that you can’t help but fall a little in love with her. Maya Petropoulos plays Regina George and is darkly twisted with some of the most interesting musical numbers in the show that really showcase her vocal range. Maryrose Brendle reinvents the Karen Smith character and she is so witty and self-effacing but insightful in her own ways, alongside Kristen Amanda Smith as Gretchen Wieners as she caterwauls over the top as the neurotic BFF.
Other stand out performances include: Joseph Taylor as Aaron Samuels, Shawn Matthews as Kevin G, Justin Phillips as Mr. Duvall, Lucas Hallauer as Tyler K, Tyler Jung as Martin J, Justin O’Brien as Mr. Heron/ Coach Carr/Mathletes Moderator and the charming Kristen Seggio as Mrs. Heron/ Ms. Norbury/ and Mrs. George.
In a musical about diversity and representation, it is really nice to see a wide range of body types and diversity in the ensemble, all of whom do a stellar job dancing and singing the chorus. Of course, it would be remiss of us not to mention the full orchestra that keep everyone together as conducted by Julius LaFlamme.
Mean Girls is only in Philadelphia for a few days before heading on the rest of the North American tour. If you happen to be in one of the cities that it is coming to, we would suggest running now to buy your tickets. If you have kids, be the “cool mom” and get tickets now before the sell out!
Fun and frisky.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers
Mean Girls plays at Kimmel Cultural Campus until 8 October before continuing its US tour, with further information here.