Ovation Theatre Company presents Mean Girls
Upon returning to Ovation Theatre Company to sit in on a rehearsal for Mean Girls after having observed a rehearsal for Newsies this past summer, I was excited to again be privy to the inner workings of an Ovation production, and I was not disappointed. Filled with humor, relatability and lots of talent, the show will be at the Derry Opera House on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11.
The 2004 teen comedy starring Lindsay Lohan, a classic for anyone who grew up in the 2000s as I did, was adapted into a musical in 2017.
“It only came out for licensing around last January or February … [and] I knew it was very popular among this age range and so I wanted to do it because I knew that they wanted to do it,” said director Meg Gore. “I don’t always do shows they’re begging for, but I like this one and I really wanted to take it on.”
About a week away from opening night, the cast ran through the second act of the show, pausing periodically to work out blocking and to refine, and unrefine, certain aspects, some songs requiring vocal grit, such as “World Burn” and “I’d Rather Be Me,” the latter of which contains a mouthful of words that Lorelei Stahl, playing Janice, executes with diction, attitude and power, after Regina George discovers and spreads the pages of the infamous “burn book.”
Regina is portrayed by Hanna Carroll, who embodies the role of queen bee with a “mean girl” demeanor as well as a dramatic and controlled belt and fantastic vocal runs. Regina is less than pleased when her throne is stolen by new girl Cady Heron.
“My favorite part about playing Cady is … [that] she’s kind of fun,” said Lily Gennetti, who landed her first lead role as Cady. “She’s so excited about everything all the time and you really see her development throughout the show. … I think the hardest part of playing her is the roller coaster of Cadys. … There’s pre-plastic Cady, plastic Cady, really plastic Cady [and] post-plastic Cady.”
Regina’s boyfriend turned ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels is played by Greer Danzey.
“My favorite part of being Aaron is getting to be genuinely nice and just being a real person,” Danzey said. “He’s probably one of the realest, besides Janice and Damian. He doesn’t really care.”
“Although it’s kind of highlighting stereotypes and larger-than-life characters, it really has a strong message about being yourself and addressing those issues that high schoolers have every day, so that’s kind of what I hope people take away from it,” Gore said. “We’re not highlighting the meanness [and saying] that’s a good thing, we’re saying this is what people deal with every day and how to navigate that path and still be supportive and empathetic.”
Ovation Theatre Company presents Mean Girls
When: Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway, Derry
Cost: Tickets are $25
More info: Visit ovationtc.com
Featured photo: PILLAR Gallery. Courtesy photo.