Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical
MADISON – In their biggest, most extravagant Spring Musical to-date, Bob Jones Musical Theatre will explore the ‘jungle’ that is high school with “Mean Girls – High School Version.”
Artistic Director Mary Davis said Tina Fey wrote the same messages in the original movie, Broadway show and new movie for teenagers:
* Bullying is wrong.
* Don’t change who you are for popularity or a boyfriend.
* Be kind and accepting of others.
* Teenage parties can be disastrous.
* Wearing the ‘right’ thing isn’t as important as doing the right thing!
To summarize the show, “Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naive 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,” Davis said.
However, when Cady and friends devise a ‘Revenge Party’ to thwart Regina, Cady learns you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.
Cast leads include Canaan Mayo (Cady); Teagan Leo (Regina); Renae Graves (Janis); Liam Robertson Damian and Jaxon McClanathan (Damian); Sarah Pierce (Gretchen); Cypress Bryce (Karen); Drayton Walker (Aaron); Carson Cartwright (Kevin G); Rian Edwards (Mrs. Norbury); Elizabeth Booth (Mrs. George); and Evan Willis (Mr. Duvall).
“We’ve rented scenic projections from Broadway Media and will show projected backdrops and set pieces throughout the show,” Davis said. “It’s so impressive to work with a form of media that we haven’t used before yet is now so prevalent in many Broadway shows.”
Bob Jones is the first school to produce “Mean Girls – High School Version” in this area. “We hope that everyone will come to see just how ‘fetch’ it is!” Davis said, using show slang.
Along with Davis, the production crew includes Technical Director Jesse Tilton, Music Director Newt Johnson, Choreographer Nolen Gunner, Costume Designer Shari Kingsford, Sound Designer Al Gilbert and Lighting Designers Rick and Tim Lighthall.
All adults on the team mentor the student crew. By opening night, student technicians completely run the show.
The student crew includes Student Director Marley Goree, Student Music Manager Adrian Matallana, and Dance Captains Ella Cook and Harley Dauma. Bob Jones Student Technicians manage projections, light/sound, props, costumes, set construction and scenic painting.
The show’s cast/crew involves approximately 100 students.
Davis has favorite tunes in the show:
* “Where Do You Belong?” – “Spot on for teens . . . looking around the lunchroom on the first day of school, wondering where they’re going to sit and with what group of people,” Davis said.
* “Fearless” – A song of empowerment when Cady sings, “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I did this for me, sure, but really, for you. So that you can live fearlessly, too!” The ensemble responds, “I wish that every teen would walk tall and have the kind of fearlessness that allows them to be their authentic selves.”
* “Stop!” – A fun song with amazing tap choreography.
State Sen. Tom Butler contributed generously to help offset projections and lighting costs. “He has always been so supportive of our program and fine arts at Bob Jones,” Davis said. Sponsors include the Andy Hughes Family, Platinum; Westmoreland Company Inc., Gold; Cepeda (CSSA), Silver; and Redstone Federal Credit Union, Rocket City Mom and Ungerware Software Development, Bronze.
Content warning: This show depicts realities of teenage life in high school. (Rated PG-13).
Show times are April 11-13 and 18-20 at 7 p.m., with 2 p.m. shows also on April 13 and 20.
For reserved seating, buy tickets at showtix4u.com (or scan the QR code on fliers). Guests also can buy tickets at the box office, one hour before showtimes. Ticket prices are $20, adults; $18, senior citizens and military; and $12, students.
Show creators are Tina Fey, book; Jeff Richmond, music; and Nell Benjamin, lyrics (produced with special arrangement through Music Theatre International).
For more information, email BJHSTheatre@gmail.com, or visit Facebook/Bob Jones Theatre, Instagram or TikTok bobjonesmusical24.
