Theater Review: ‘Mean Girls’ Brings The Real World To High School

And on Wednesdays, we wear pink. And pink we did at The Cape Playhouse on a sold-out opening night on Aug. 12, when “Mean Girls” took the stage at the Cape Playhouse.

The classic movie, written by Tina Fey, comes to life in this musical rendition, capturing what it is truly like to be in high school and how surprisingly much of high school can be compared to life in the wild. With music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, the production turns the familiar story into a fast-paced, energetic and entertaining musical that had the audience swept up in the frenzy from the very beginning.

The story follows Cady Heron, a new student trying to navigate the complicated social hierarchy of high school after growing up home schooled in Africa. Before long she finds herself caught between being true to herself and wanting to be accepted by the most popular group in school, led by the intimidating and unforgettable Regina George. It is a story that feels familiar, even years after leaving high school. You root for the oddball, feel a little intimidated by Regina, and, perhaps secretly, find yourself wanting to be included in the in-crowd, too.

The actors did an incredible job bringing the chaos, humor and emotion of high school to the stage. The ensemble created a constant sense of movement and excitement, making the audience feel as though we were right there in the hallways, classrooms and cafeteria alongside them. The cast, including Naomi Bowen, Ryan Bronston, Nathaniel Benjamin Chua, Scarlett Diaz and Isaiah Hastings Rogers, among many others, brought an impressive amount of energy to the production.

A production this lively requires a strong team behind the scenes, and “Mean Girls” certainly has one. The show was directed and choreographed by Al Blackstone, with musical direction by Evan Zavada. Johanna Pan designed the costumes, Dalton Hamilton handled lighting design, David L. Arsenault served as scenic designer, and Elisabeth Weidner designed the sound. The projections were designed by Michael Salvatore Commendatore, with Bobbie Zlotnik overseeing wigs.

Together, the cast and production team created a colorful, energetic and nostalgic night at the theater. “Mean Girls” may be set in high school, but its themes of friendship, acceptance, insecurity and finding your place is something we can all recognize. At The Cape Playhouse, this familiar story feels fresh, fun and most importantly, a whole lot of pink.