OMG! If you’re looking for a raucous good time to escape the oppressive summer heat, I’ve got just the thing: Mean Girls at Countryside Community Theatre with book by the brilliant Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live fame, and under the incandescent direction, choreography, and costuming of Ashley Mills Becher, whose dazzling talent I’ve seen many times at Circa 21 and she outdoes herself with this show. Husband Bobby Becher takes on the task of Music Director and the result of this team is an explosive, riotous, energetic extravaganza of entertainment that will have you out of your seat for a “Standing O.”
The musical focuses on Cady Heron, a teenage girl who transfers to a Chicago public high school after being homeschooled her whole life in Africa. She encounters the cliquish hierarchy we all remember from high school and is befriended by fellow outsiders Janis Sarkisian and Damian Hubbard who persuade her to infiltrate the "Plastics", a clique consisting of wealthy but insecure Gretchen Wieners, sweet but dimwitted Karen Smith, and "queen bee" Regina George.
Cady tries her darndest to fit in but things get complicated when she crushes on Regina’s ex-boyfriend sparking fiery jealousy. She makes some bad choices, including hosting a party at the urging of the Plastics when her folks go out of town for the weekend which ends with Regina walking out in front of a bus (don’t worry, she survives).
All the phases of angst driven teenage insecurities are addressed in songs like “Where Do You Belong,” “Stupid with Love,” “What’s Wrong with Me,” and “Revenge Party.” As Becher states in her program notes: This is a cautionary tale about what happens when we fall into the traps of peer pressure and compromise ourselves to fit in.”
Yet again I am astounded and in awe of the wealth of talent we have in the Quad Cities. In the lead role of Cady is the delightful Ryenne Lacher who possesses the charm of the girl-next-door with an equally charming singing talent who will capture your heart. Fellow outsiders Janis and Damien are Baylee Parker and Micah Roldan and their singing and acting is big and bright and lively and I would swear their singing could be heard all the way to Iowa City.
Playing mean girls Regina, Gretchen and Karen are Lily Schloss, Maesi Geigle, and Rebekah Riewerts. Schloss succeeded in making us hate her, but her projection slipped during her spoken lines, Geigle is the classic girl who follows-the-leader in fear of FOMO, and Riewerts is the quintessential air head.
This is a huge cast and Becher has choreographed big, impressive dance numbers, including a dazzling tap scene, that will have your toes tapping.
Mean Girls performances by The Countryside Community Theatre continue at North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium located at 200 South First Street in Eldridge, Friday through Saturday, July 31 and August 1 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m.
I’m Chris Hicks…break a leg.