“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
When homeschooler Cady Herron (Emmalyn Taylor) starts at a public school for the first time in her life, she discovers the most popular girls and paves her way to become one of them.
This fun, fast-paced musical at Bavaria Performing Arts is directed by Rachel Harper and features an all-youth cast tackling the bullies of today.
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
Regina (Susanna Lynch), Gretchen (Sadie Juarez) and Karen (Alivya Bird) are the “plastics” – popular, fake and bullies through and through. With goading from her friends Janis (Leyla Sofia Gonzales Bouza) and Damien (Laina Jackson), Cady tries to infiltrate the group, but things go too far.
Cady is surprised to find that the Plastics even bully themselves, standing before a mirror and calling out personal flaws. To keep up the ruse, she is stuck having to choose something to dislike about herself.
Though the musical treats bullying in a lighthearted manner, the production team treated it with the seriousness it deserved. Working with the Netzaberg Elementary School psychologist, the youth were counseled in ways to speak out against bullying. After the show, some even shared with the audience.
“Calling someone dumb doesn’t make you smarter.”
The cast (including an understudy cast) presents an incredible performance that is a fun immersion into high school, including set pieces like lockers and cafeteria tables. There is a melting pot of costumes, using aesthetic styles to represent a variety of students.
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
“Mean Girls Jr.” at Bavaria Performing Arts ()
As the show progresses, we understand that being a bully is never okay. It doesn’t matter how much the mean girls like a boy or how popular they want to be, no one should be bullied to get there. Cady eventually realizes that she has become one of them; she apologizes to her real friends and emphasizes their unique qualities.
In the end we learn that spreading rumors and making fun of others is not the answer. You should be yourself and others will like you for who you are.
