By Michelle Stevinson, Latin Life Denver Media
Mean Girls is a must-see, laugh out loud, high-energy musical. It is a “cautionary tale” about discovering who you are while also trying to fit in. Can you really be your authentic self while pleasing others? Written by Tina Fey, music by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin and directed by Casey Nicholaw. It is a whimsical yet seriously relevant story now playing at the Denver Center of Performing Arts through March 2, 2025.
Petropoulos (Regina George), and Maryrose Brendel (Karen Smith). Photo by Jenny Anderson, 2023.
Cady Heron, played by Katie Yeomans, moves from the African Savanna to Illinois. Cady is the 16 year old daughter of anthropologist parents who were previously doing research in Kenya. After one of her parents receives an high paying job back in America they decide that Cady needs to begin to acclimate herself socially with other girls her own age. She was previously home-schooled and now seeks a way to fit into the social nuances of high school in America. Quickly, she learns that being the new girl is not popular and gets bullied and manipulated by some of the other students. Outcasts Janis, (Alexys Morera) and charmingly flaming Damien, (Joshua Morrisey) take Cady under their wing becoming best friends and show her around school.
“Where do you belong?”, they ask while showing Cady the different groups: the jocks, the plastics, rich kids, choir team, dance team, nerds and others. Cady decides to join her new best friends Janis and Damien.
Maryrose Brendel (Karen Smith), and Natalie Shaw (Cady Heron)
Photo by Jenny Anderson, 2023.
However Queen Bee Regina, (Maya Petropoulos) has another plan and acts really nice to Cady insisting that she join her trio clique. Known as “The Plastics” with eager-to-please, Gretchen (Kristen Amanda Smith) and hilariously ditsy Karen (Maryrose Brendel).
Regina looks down on Janis and Damien calling them art freaks. In return, Janis refers to Regina as an “apex predator” having fallen victim to her insatiable appetite for toxic drama. Regina is the most popular and prettiest mean girl in school. Everyone idolizes her and even faithfully votes for her annual “queen” crown.
Meanwhile the new girl, Cady, falls head over heels for Aaron, who is Regina’s ex-boyfriend. He sits next to Cady in math class, a subject she excels at. She is good at math and dumb at love. Easily influenced by her friends, Cady acts dumb to get her crush Aaron to like her. Janis said, “it always works”, as the audience laughs. Does acting dumb really work to get your crush to like you?
Amanda Smith (Gretchen Wieners). Photo by Jenny Anderson, 2023.
As Cady wins over Aaron, Regina finds out and wins him back just to spite Cady. Regina always gets what she wants no matter who gets hurt along the way. Cady is crushed and agrees to go along with Janis’ revenge plot to make Regina gain weight with supposedly “healthy” snack bars from Africa. In an over the top fashion, Regina’s back side grows disproportionately enormous causing the audience to laugh hysterically. Albeit fat shaming but it quickly takes a toll on her self-esteem and unnerving her confidence.
As Regina’s apex predator popularity plunges, her viral sensation status quo quickly becomes a social media nightmare. Yet an ever emerging Cady takes to the spotlight becoming “fearless” and taking on the belief that “more is better”. More friends, more shoes, more clothes and more attention-seeking popularity.
Petropoulos (Regina George), Maryrose Brendel (Karen Smith), Alexys Morera (Janis Sarkisian),
and the Tour Company of Mean Girls. Photo by Jenny Anderson, 2023.
Is more really better? Does being the most popular girl in school make you happy? Regina sure seems to think so, as a vengeful plot twist emerges and she blasts hate speech all over campus. As she gets heated up, chaos ignites and students unleash their rage. Cady begins to lose all her friends, her crush and her reputation. Soon she realizes that life is not about superficial things or people. Cady joins the math team becoming a bright shining star, in her own life and most importantly being her true authentic self.
To belong or not to belong? that is the question. “Safeguarding oneself from being used in relationships requires a combination of self-awareness, assertiveness, and effective communication. By establishing clear boundaries, trusting your instincts, and prioritizing your well-being, you can cultivate relationships built on mutual respect and genuine connection.”
Mean Girls plays the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Thru March 5, 2024
MASTERCLASS
Broadway Teen Master Class at Mean Girls
Learn from Broadway’s best! Join DCPA Education for an hour-long dance workshop taught by a member of Mean Girls on March 2. Plus, receive a low-cost offer to stay for the matinee! Available for students in 8th – 12th grade.
March 2 • 10:30am • 1101 13th St.
$35* • Space is limited
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