Review: MEAN GIRLS Arrives at Edmonton's Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Sixteen-year-old homeschooler Cady Heron never imagined stepping foot in a brick-and-mortar high school, let alone one across the world. When her wildlife biologist parents move the family from Kenya to Illinois, she is eager to make new friends and avoid sinking to the bottom of her new school’s social food chain. However, her plan flies out the window when she finds herself caught between two very different friend groups: two artsy BFFs and an exclusive clique dubbed “The Plastics.”

Based on the iconic 2004 comedy, Mean Girls is a splashy 2018 musical featuring a triple-threat cast. Despite closing on Broadway amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, North American theatregoers still have the chance to see the touring version of this Tony Award-nominated production. Until January 14, Edmonton audiences can enjoy this upbeat high school drama at The Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.  

The curtain rises on best friends Janis (Alexys Morera) and Damian (Ethan Jih-Cook), who almost immediately launch into the show’s opener, Cautionary Tale. Soon after, Cady (Natalie Shaw) arrives onstage before a rosy-gold backdrop of a Kenyan savanna. Before she knows it, she finds her life uprooted and transferred to an entirely different world: North Shore High. Shortly after meeting her new classmates, Janis and Damian, she comes face-to-face with the school’s queen bee: Regina George (Maya Petropoulos). Encouraged by Janis and Damian to infiltrate Regina’s friend group (The Plastics), Cady plays along with Regina’s mean-girl antics only to risk losing herself in the process. 

Despite having some forgettable numbers and subpar lyrics, Mean Girls still features plenty of theatrical pizzazz. Highlights include the cast’s impeccable comedic timing, the playful set design and scene transitions, and the energetic choreography. Jih-Cook particularly stands out during his zany tap dancing in Act II ensemble number, Stop. Regina’s ditzy sidekick, Karen (Maryrose Brendel), also earns big laughs during her Halloween party solo, Sexy. On the other hand, the show’s quieter moments are also memorable. Shaw taps into Cady’s vulnerability, particularly during tentative scenes with Cady’s crush- and Regina’s ex-boyfriend- Aaron (Joseph Torres). Shaw’s crystalline, Disney Princess-esque vocals are also a delight to listen to. 

However, the musical deviates from the movie’s portrayal of Regina George as the dictionary definition of a bully. Though this version of Regina still has plenty of malicious antics up her pink sleeves, she is not nearly as cutting as her movie counterpart. Instead, this Regina exudes a cold aloofness rather than being the truly formidable mean girl the other characters make her out to be. During the production’s syrupy finale, I See Stars, she is dubiously nearly-apologetic towards Cady, Karen, and her other frenemy, Gretchen (Kristen Amanda Smith).  

Despite the cracks in this glossy production, Mean Girls still brims with plenty of high notes. It makes for a perfect girls’ night out and a laugh-out-loud humorous piece of escapism.  

From left to right: Natalie Shaw (Cady Heron), Kristen Amanda Smith (Gretchen Wieners), Maya Petropoulos (Regina George) and Maryrose Brendel (Karen Smith) in Mean Girls. PHOTO BY Jenny Anderson

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