Mean Girls Musical Film: Cast Reveals Adapted Numbers for Upcoming Release

The eagerly anticipated Mean Girls musical movie, a cinematic adaptation of the Broadway hit, which itself was inspired by the classic film and novel, has revealed details about the numbers that have made the transition from stage to screen. The UK premiere is scheduled for 17 January 2024.

The film stars Angourie Rice (known from “Spiderman: Far From Home”) in the lead role of Cady. Joining her are Auli’i Cravalho (voice of Moana in “Moana”) as Janice, and Jaquel Spivey (Broadway’s “A Strange Loop”) as Damian. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprise their roles from the original film as Ms Norbury and Principal Duval, respectively.

Renée Rapp steps up from Broadway to portray Regina George on screen. Avantika, known for “Senior Year,” plays Karen, while Bebe Wood from “Love, Victor” takes on the role of Gretchen, completing the iconic “Plastics” trio. The cast also includes Christopher Briney (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”) as Aaron, Jenna Fischer (“The Office”) as Cady’s mother, and Busy Philips (“White Chicks”) as Regina’s mother.

As the press tour commences, the cast has begun discussing the adaptations made for the film. The new movie album, set for release in early January, features approximately 12 tracks, in contrast to the 21 on the Broadway cast recording, hinting at significant changes.

Christopher Briney has confirmed that his character, Aaron, will not be singing in the movie, suggesting further adaptations or cuts. However, for UK fans eager to experience the full breadth of the musical’s stage numbers, a production will open in June 2024 at the Savoy Theatre, with tickets currently available.

Confirmed numbers for the film (though not guaranteed in the final cut) include “A Cautionary Tale,” “World Burn,” “Rather Be Me,” “What’s Wrong With Me,” “Someone Gets Hurt [Reprise],” “Stars,” “Sexy,” and “Revenge Party,” the latter planned as a significant eight-minute sequence. Additionally, a new number replacing “It Roars” has been written by Rapp, with composer Jeff Richmond noting a shift from Broadway to a more radio-friendly sound.

Tina Fey, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, discussed the challenges of convincing Paramount Pictures of the film’s potential, highlighting the distinct differences in form and tone. Angourie Rice expressed awareness of the high expectations from musical theatre enthusiasts, acknowledging the immense responsibility involved.

The project also features Ashley Park (“Emily in Paris”) and Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”), with Arturo Perez Jr and Samantha Jayne directing their first full-length feature. The film is produced by Paramount Players, Lorne Michaels, and Fey, with Fey also serving as the screenwriter, music by Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. Choreography is led by Kyle Hanagami.

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