Tina Fey’s spoof of high school morality, Mean Girls, has more raunch than Spring Awakening and thankfully doesn’t take anything too seriously. What Queensbury’s production does take seriously is the sheer theatricality of it, the excellent vibe from the performers, the cool jazz of the set, the spirited sextet of the offstage band led by maestro Alex Navarro, the perpetual motion of Bethany White’s sterling choreography, and the pleasure derived from Kristina Sullivan’s expert direction which overlays this small-time musical with rare panache.
You know the story: newbie Kady (Abigail Bensman of crystal voice) from Kenya where she’s been raised and home schooled by her scientist mom, becomes a student at North Shore High somewhere in Illinois. Befriended by the artsy nerds Damian (Marco Camacho, a comic in the league with the Marx Brothers) and Janis (Teresa Zimmermann, all tough and ballsy, but soft inside), she wheedles her way into the exclusive sorority of the Plastics, the trio of girls that’s the envy of everybody.
Led, or I should say commanded, by field marshal Regina George (Kathryn Jacobson, every inch an SS guard and a mighty fine singer, too), these girls rule the school with their fashion, take-no-prisoners attitude, and their bitch factor which is way past 11. Regina’s besties are Gretchen (Sarah Sachi, who as a performer can do nothing wrong) and dumb Karen (Kerri Witton, silly and shallow to a comic fault), fawning pawns who fret they will be replaced at Regina’s least annoyance.
Seduced by the glamour and faux power, Cady soon becomes just like them in her quest for acceptance. She falls for Regina’s ex Aaron (Kaleb Womack, sweet and lovable), which doesn’t sit well with Regina, who plots revenge. It all ends happily, of course, as the entire cast exclaims “Don’t Be Mean,” while Cady and Aaron are crowned king and queen of the Spring Fling and everyone dances up a storm.
The cast is a standout, and honorable mention must go to Efron Calderon III, as math nerd Kevin, who’s amped up as if on wires; and the always delectable Holland Vavra, as multiple characters, each one a perfect little cameo gem, especially Regina’s mom, Mrs. George. With cleavage to her ankles and carrying her beloved dog who sips from her champagne bottle through a straw, we see immediately where Regina gets her stride and mojo.
The musical’s too long with too many forgettable numbers by Jeff Richmond and Neil Benjamin, but Sullivan has found magic in movement and pacing to keep our interest from flagging too much. You can’t stay down when the performers are on such a high. Afsaneh Aayani’s minimal set design wheels into place with desks on casters, while Dąt Peter Tōn’s projections are candy colored as if by crayolas. A big pair of lips center over the proscenium to set the anarchic sexy tone of teen spirit. Logan Keslar’s over-the-top costumes are Rodeo Drive meets Pretty Woman, knockouts all; even the hair design by Jayson Kolbicz is Broadway caliber.
OK, the musical isn’t grand, but it has Fey’s patented spice, sprightly dances that are really good, performers who knock it out of the park, and Sullivan’s wise eye to keep everything in balance. The audience had a raucous time and would have waved pompoms if they had been handed out. High school can be traumatic, a time to grow up, never-to-be forgotten moments, or a joyous coming out into your own. Mean Girls captures all that in unbridled fun – and not too much heavy thinking.
Mean Girls continues at 8 p.m. Friday, August 14;2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, August 16 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Queensbury Theatre, 12777 Queensbury Lane. For more information, call 713-467-4497 or visit queensburytheatre.org.$25-$50.
