Overview
Synopsis
How fetch! After years in the making, Mean Girls: The Musical hits the stage with the favorite characters from the movie, powerful music, and timely pop culture and news references. Janis Sarkisian and Damian Hubbard welcome the audience to their “Cautionary Tale”: Cady Heron is the new girl at North Shore High School in Chicago, desperate to fit in and find friends. Janis and Damian befriend the new girl, and when The Plastics set their sights on Cady, Janis convinces naive Cady to be their “friend” in order to bring down Queen Bee Regina George’s reign. Along the way, Cady loses herself, her friends, and her crush, all for the chance to be popular and loved. When dethroned Regina gets revenge by releasing the Burn Book, Cady is brought down and must mend her broken relationships with Janis, Aaron, and even Regina. With dynamic songs for young performers, Mean Girls is an anthem to friendship, loyalty, girl power, and being true to yourself.
Show Information
Context
Mean Girls is a musical based on the 2004 film of the same name written by Tina Fey and starring Rachel McAdams, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, and more. The movie was adapted into a musical beginning in 2013 with book by original writer, Tina Fey, music by Fey’s husband Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Legally Blonde lyricist Nell Benjamin. The show was set to be directed and choreographed by the renowned Casey Nicholaw.
By 2017 the show had its first premier in Washington, D.C. at the
to read the context for Mean Girls and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The show begins with Janis Sarkisian and Damian Hubbard acting through the fourth wall and inviting the audience to listen to their story, hoping the audience takes something away from it (“Cautionary Tale”).
The scene then moves over to the real world where the new girl in town, Cady Heron, prepares for her new life in Chicago. Being from Kenya, Cady is unsure of what to expect from a typical high school. However, she quickly learns that being different is not so cool, and the
to read the plot for Mean Girls and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
Showing 8 of 13 characters
Interactive Character Map
Visualize how the characters in Mean Girls connect and drive the story.
Understand the relationships that shape the story of Mean Girls
- See how characters connect at a glance
- Explore alliances, conflicts, and dynamics
- Dive deeper into each role
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Mean Girls.
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Songs
Showing 8 of 25 songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
Social Hierarchy in "Girl World"
The theme of social hierarchy in "Girl World" portrays high school as a rigid, jungle-like ecosystem where power is negotiated through exclusion, popularity, and performative femininity, reflecting the patriarchal constraints that force adolescent girls to weaponize their social capital for survival. This theme is vividly established in the opening number "Apex Predator," where Regina George and her clique, The Plastics, are crowned as
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from Mean Girls and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Key Terms
An adaptation is a reworking of a story from one medium or cultural context into another, such as turning a novel into a play or updating a classic play’s setting. Adaptations often reinterpret themes, characters, and style for new audiences. They can range from faithful recreations to bold reimaginings.
A powerful, resonant singing technique used in musical theatre to project high notes with chest voice.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
The imaginary wall separating the audience from the actors onstage, often 'broken' for direct address. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
An “I Want Song” is a number, usually placed early in a musical, where a main character expresses their deepest desire or ambition. This song sets the character’s journey in motion and gives the audience a clear emotional stake in the story. It has become one of the most recognizable and enduring conventions of musical theatre structure.
Spoken commentary that provides exposition or transitions within a play. Narration often bridges scenes and guides audience understanding.
A character or voice that tells part of the story, offering commentary or background. Narrators are frequently used in children’s theatre and epic productions.
