Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady and her friends devise a "Revenge Party" to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.
Mean Girls Director’s Note
Tina Fey wrote the groundbreaking comedy Mean Girls through the lenses of a mother of two daughters, a former struggling teen herself, and a feminist. As an educator and having spent my own time as a student alongside plenty of mean girls, this story resonates with me. Although this is currently by far the most-produced high school musical in the country, there are several elements that we hope our audience will consider before purchasing tickets.
Mean Girls; High School Version has a PG-13 Rating for profanity, sexual innuendo, alcohol and drug references, and crude gestures. For this reason, we do not recommend that you bring younger children to the show. The high school student characters act inappropriately older than their age, making them look immature - contrary to their desire to appear sophisticated and powerful. If, as an audience member you are offended by anything in the show, you are right to feel so. Social satire is meant to use humor as a tool for change. We are made uncomfortable on purpose.
This production poses important questions. Why do people so often use the “B” word as a tool to silence the voices of strong women? Why are Halloween costumes over-sexualized for girls? Why do people use words in person and on social media to hurt each other? Why do people compare and compete instead of empower and celebrate one another? In the show, Ms. Norbury says, “Calling someone ugly doesn’t make you better looking. Calling someone stupid won’t make you any smarter. And we have to stop beating each other up over every little thing.” I think we can all agree that this applies well beyond the walls of high school. Are we as adults currently modeling how to best handle conflict and differences?
This next generation needs our guidance. We have to be able to listen, watch, and guide with patience and compassion. We hope you will do the same with this show. The cast, crew, directors, and designers have been working tirelessly toward excellence as a gift to you and we invite you to enjoy the production with an open mind and an open heart.
Dena Roncone
Director of Mean Girls