“Mean Girls: The Musical” at Emerson Colonial Theatre brings all the high school drama to the stage, packed with sarcastic humor, unexpected heart, and, of course, lots and lots of pink.
Originally seen on Broadway, director Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls: The Musical” will be playing April 29-May 4, 2025, at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston before touring throughout North America through June 1.
Based on the beloved 2004 movie, the musical follows Cady Heron, a homeschooled teen who enters the cutthroat world of public high school, getting herself involved with the school’s exclusive clique, “The Plastics.” The show delivers the movie’s original plotline, along with musical numbers and fresh humor, adding a twist to the already iconic story of friendship, belonging, and self-identity. 
Unlike the original film, “Mean Girls: The Musical” is set in 2019, placing the story and characters in a more modern setting, adopting the contemporary trends, technology, and language. This gives the story new life, making the lessons more applicable to today and allowing a newer audience to relate.
While this is a great aspect of the updates, it also might leave some disappointed. At this point, almost 20 years after the release of “Mean Girls,” the deep love for it hinges on a sense of nostalgia. Without the original 2000s vibe, and the sense of disconnect from the current reality, muddled with social media, audiences who were there to experience the film the first time around will most likely not be as satisfied.
Separated from the film, the musical as a standalone piece of work has its pros and cons, just like any other production.
The script is riddled with humor, making the audience laugh through brilliant delivery that relies on perfect comedic timing, the subtlety of facial expressions and body language. These moments kept the viewers high spirited and the engagement at a peak throughout the entire show.
The humor leans heavily toward the risqué side, so this production is best suited for audiences aged 13 and up.
The songs featured are not the most memorable aspect of the musical, but the singers are definitely able to make it that way. Katie Yeomans’s singing “Stupid With Love,” as her character Cady navigates her feelings for Aaron Samuels and Kristen Amanda Smith’s perfect portrayal of Gretchen Wieners’s conflicting emotions during “What’s Wrong With Me” are among the numbers which make the musical worth experiencing.
Filled with iconic characters and moments, make sure you have a seat for this theatrical twist on “Mean Girls.”
And don’t forget: On Wednesdays – and to every showing of “Mean Girls: The Musical” – we wear pink!
For tickets and more information, visit the Emerson Colonial Theatre website HERE.
–May 2, 2025–
