Rousuck's Review: ----Mean Girls - the Musical---- At The National Theatre (DC)

Every Thursday, our indefatigable theater critic, J. Wynn Rousuck, joins us with her review of a current production playing on one of the Baltimore-Washington region's many stages. This week, Judy reviews Mean Girls - the Musical, writer-comedian Tina Fey's lively new staging of her hit 2004 movie, now getting its world premiere on the boards at The National Theatre in Washington, D.C., before heading to Broadway.Like the movie, Mean Girls --the Musical spins on the travails of Cady Heron, a sensitive and naive high-schooler who's just moved to Illinois after spending her childhood living in Africa with her zoologist parents. As she struggles to find her place in the social hierarchy, Cady attracts the attention of The Plastics, a trio of popular girls reigned over by the competitive and ruthless Regina George. Cady tires of Regina's cruel and controlling ways and soon plots to topple her from her throne. But things don't go precisely as planned.Also like her movie, Tina Fay's new musical comedy is witty and insightful, and in an era fraught with bullying concerns, the story offers an important commentary on human nature and the meaning of friendship.The Broadway-bound traveling show is produced by Lorne Michaels, Stuart Thompson, Sonia Friedman, and Paramount Pictures. The book is by Tina Fey, with music by Fey's husband Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. Mean Girls - the Musical is directed at The National Theatre by Tony-award winner Casey Nicholaw (Aladdin, The Book of Mormon).Mean Girls - the Musical continues at The National Theatre DC until Sunday, December 3rd.Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.