Brace yourselves, London! The iconic ‘Mean Girls’ is set to land in the West End
Influenced by the much-adored film that featured Lindsay Lohan, this musical first made its mark in Washington in 2017, later captivating Broadway audiences in 2018.
‘Mean Girls’ is a 2004 teen comedy directed by Mark Waters and penned by Tina Fey. Starring the then-prominent Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron, the film is adapted from Rosalind Wiseman’s ‘Queen Bees and Wannabes’. Transitioning from being homeschooled in Africa to the maze of American high school social structures, Cady, with the guidance of friends Janis and Damian, infiltrates the elite group called ‘The Plastics’, led by Regina George. However, as she delves deeper, Cady finds herself entangled in teenage drama and a tussle for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, Aaron Samuels. The movie brilliantly addresses the complexities of teen life and the yearning for social belonging.
The talented Tina Fey is behind the storyline, complemented by melodies from Jeff Richmond and poetic verses from Nell Benjamin. The musical promises to encompass the essence of the original film’s unforgettable lines. With catchy tracks that include “Meet the Plastics”, “Apex Predator”, and “Revenge Party”, audiences are in for a treat. The visionary Casey Nicholaw has overseen its direction.
Esteemed producers, Lorne Michaels and Sonia Friedman, have expressed their pride in the journey of this comedic masterpiece. Their collaboration over the years has culminated in the decision to showcase this work of art at London’s prestigious Savoy Theatre.
David Ian, at the helm of Crossroads Live, is elated about collaborating with such a powerhouse duo on Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls”, hinting that London’s theatre enthusiasts are in for something special.
Tina Fey played several pivotal roles in Mean Girls. Not only did she adapt the screenplay from Rosalind Wiseman’s non-fiction book “Queen Bees and Wannabes”, but she also graced the screen as Ms. Sharon Norbury, the high school calculus teacher and mentor to Lindsay Lohan’s character, Cady Heron. Furthermore, she co-produced the movie alongside Lorne Michaels, imprinting the film with her distinctive comedic style, which was crucial to its tone and success.
Tina Fey echoed the enthusiasm, highlighting the anticipation of introducing “Mean Girls” to a London audience that might already resonate with its themes.
The curtains will rise at the Savoy Theatre in June 2024, with ticket sales launching on 1 November 2023. More specifics around dates and casting will be released soon, so keeping an eye on updates is advisable.
Additionally, film aficionados have something to look forward to: A film adaptation of this stage musical is in the pipeline, adding another layer to the evolution of this story—from book to film, to stage, and back to film. The cast details for this adaptation have been teased recently.
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