How great to see the large theater at 54 W. Church St. full of enthusiastic patrons once again. The former home of Mad Cow Theatre and Fringe ArtSpace in the heart of downtown is buzzing once more thanks to a rousing production of the musical “Mean Girls.”
That fan-favorite show is Tina Fey’s adaptation of her 2004 film. (If you’re the sort who wears pink on Wednesdays, you might also recall that “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” alumna Fey then adapted her stage musical adaptation of the story into a movie musical in 2024, coming full circle.)
The Renaissance Theatre is producing “Mean Girls” at 54 W. Church, using the space temporarily while its usual theater, off Princeton Street, is working out permitting issues.
But just because the Ren is on the road doesn’t mean it has left behind all the things that make it special. And this production of “Mean Girls,” an unusually mainstream choice for the theater, plays to all its strengths.
“Mean Girls” is a “cautionary tale,” as the introductory song tells the audience. Set in high school, it’s a demonstration of how power corrupts — even, or maybe especially, if the power in question is teenage popularity. At the center of the story is Cady, who moves to a new high school and meets “too gay to function” Damian and snarky artist Janis, new friends who embroil her in a plan to take down the titular mean girls. They’re known as the “plastics” and rule the school with dictates like “we wear pink on Wednesdays.”
Directed by Blake Aburn, the high-energy musical provides a fun look at the jungle that is the high school pecking order (making that metaphor literally in a dynamic animalistic dance number that shows off Abby Cash’s choreography). “Mean Girls” is not a subtle show, and Aburn leans into that with fan-serving moments.
One of the ways you know it’s a Renaissance production is in the diversity found in the cast, a refreshing reminder of what high school — and the world — really looks like. Ensemble members made these characters their own, through line delivery or in some cases superior dance skills.
You also see the Ren pedigree in the ingenuity of Bryan De Souza’s set design, in which banks of lockers open to reveal cafeteria tables. Ben Lowe’s video design that helps set scene and mood also adds to the entertainment.
Lauren Cole and Joe Russi comically guide Cady (Isabel Bernal, center) through high school as narrators of the Renaissance Theatre Company production of “Mean Girls,” at 54 W. Church St in Orlando. (Courtesy Jake Pearce via Renaissance Theatre)
And the live music, another hallmark of the Ren, is a little loud for the space in places but most certainly increases the energy as led by Dragomir Page and Bryce Hayes.
As narrators Damian and Janis, Joe Russi and Lauren Cole have just the right touch with their characters’ quirks to make them funny but not over-the-top exhausting; Aburn finds the right tone for both comic and serious moments.
Isabel Bernal is appealing as Cady, who lets power go to her head, and Jenny Totcky is appropriately icy as Regina. As with the narrators, Ciera Muhammad and Michelle Coben strike the right balance of playing their characters’ quirks (insecure and slow on the uptake) without overdoing it.
Sex-romp shenanigans come home to roost in ‘The Cottage’ | Review
The men have less to do but make the right impressions as a love interest (Jose Rivera), rapping math nerd (De Souza) and off-balance principal (Nick Bazo). (You know Fey loves the fact that the male lead can be reduced to “love interest” — the moniker bestowed on countless underwritten lead female roles.)
The MVP at my performance, though, was understudy Lana Gallo, filling in for a trifecta of roles and making each one her own.
Cady (Isabel Bernal, from left) meets the “plastics” (Jenny Totcky, Ciera Muhammad and Michelle Cobin) in the Renaissance Theatre Company production of “Mean Girls,” in downtown Orlando at 54 W. Church St. (Courtesy Jake Pearce via Renaissance Theatre)
You also know this “Mean Girls” comes from the Renaissance Theatre by the creative extras that surround the production. The lobby of the theater space is painted shades of pink, reflecting the signature color of Regina and cohorts. And the space is host to a “Spring Fling” afterparty, another nod to the show’s plot, with drinks and entertainment (separate ticket or combination ticket required).
The Renaissance Theatre Company should be moving home soon, director Donald Rupe says, but in the meantime let’s enjoy the energy it’s bringing downtown. Just remember to wear pink on Wednesdays.
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly emailed Entertainment newsletter.
‘Mean Girls’
Length: 2:25, including intermission
Where: 54 W. Church St. in Orlando
When: Through March 15
Cost: $22 and up
Info: rentheatre.com