With its combination of flashy fashion, quotability and \u201cMillennial cringe,\u201d the 2004 Tina Fey-penned comedy blockbuster \u201cMean Girls\u201d was a shoo-in for a musical adaptation. The show premiered on Broadway in 2018 and even had a film adaptation of its own six years later.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh CLO\u2019s own summer blockbuster production will run through July 12 at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
As a cringey Millennial myself, I\u2019ve seen the original film version approximately three dozen times, but some of the jokes and lyrics in this musical had me wincing in my seat on Tuesday\u2019s opening night. The show\u2019s book was also written by Fey, with music by her husband, Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. The song-stuffed show generally sticks close to the film beat-for-beat, so fans won\u2019t be disappointed or thrown for a loop by big plot switch-ups.<\/p>\n
That story goes a little something like this: main character Cady (Abigail Isom) is a junior in high school who moves with her family from Kenya to Illinois and starts public school for the first time. At her new school, she meets friends Damian (Jack Haroutunian) and Janis (Lyda Jade Harlan), as well as a clique of popular girls known as the Plastics. The triad of teen queens is composed of Regina (Landry Champlin), Gretchen (Sydni Moon) and Karen (Kaley Bender).<\/p>\n
The nerdy, precocious Cady is quickly taken in by the Plastics, as well as thrown off by her crush on calculus classmate Aaron (Quincy Hampton). But soon, Cady finds herself in over her head as she tries to navigate the complications of adolescent socialization.<\/p>\n
Isom whirls and trills her way through a shifting world \u2014 both literally and figuratively, thanks to flexible and immersive set design from Stephen Gifford. The actress exudes an eagerness and openness that makes the character\u2019s \u201cdownfall\u201d all the more upsetting \u2014 and her redemption all the more satisfying. In songs \u201cRoar\u201d and \u201cI See Stars,\u201d she shines particularly bright.<\/p>\n
On the other side, Champlin\u2019s Regina smolders and struts right up until part way through Act 2, when she combusts into a powerful inferno of revenge. The musical doesn\u2019t give the character of Regina as much to do as it should, but she still makes the role memorable. Moon also made the most of Gretchen\u2019s expanded role, making the character the show\u2019s most relatable with her performance of the insecure first-act number \u201cWhat\u2019s Wrong With Me?\u201d And Bender\u2019s Karen is adorable and so much fun to watch.<\/p>\n
Damian and Janis are probably the roles that most closely resemble their movie counterparts, and they also serve as sort of framing device narrators throughout. Haroutunian is exceptional with the lively choreography by Dana Solimando, even impressing with tap. And Harlan\u2019s performance of the exuberant second-act song \u201cI\u2019d Rather Be Me\u201d serves as a comprehensive thesis statement for the entire show.<\/p>\n
If you were committed to the 2004 fashion in the film, don\u2019t worry. Original costume designer Gregg Barnes keeps the characters in cute skirts, sparkly outfits and great shoes \u2014 and a variety of well-made \u201csexy\u201d Halloween costumes, to boot. All of those sparkles looked great under lighting design by Paul Miller and projection\/media design by David Murakami, which did a good job of integrating the social media-oriented plot points of the show.<\/p>\n
While the movie is undoubtedly a modern classic in the high school film canon, Fey\u2019s tepid feminism definitely worked better in the vicious tabloid era of 2004; many points in the musical start to feel like an after-school special with fewer witticisms and more heavy-handed feel-good messaging. While a lot of the songs are on the cheesy side, there are some catchy ones in there \u2014 especially Regina\u2019s numbers \u2014 and the orchestra makes each tune sound like a showstopper under the direction of Robert Neumeyer.<\/p>\n
Director Mara Newberry Greer was able to take an OK book and make it into a summer smash with a deft hand for comedic timing and emotonal beats. From its opening scenes, the show feels like a huge production brimming with talent onstage and behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a fan of the movie and looking for a girls\u2019 night out this week, you won\u2019t find one more \u201cfetch\u201d than this.<\/p>\n