MEAN GIRLS Previews

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/9/18 at 5:48pm

I know it's rather early, but I heard that an invited dress rehearsal is happening tonight—it'd be great to get reports from it!

Previews for the Broadway premiere of Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond, and Nell Benjamin's Mean Girls begin in just a few days (Monday, March 12, 2018) at the August Wilson Theatre. Based on the incredibly quotable 2004 film of the same name, Mean Girls is set to open officially on Sunday, April 8 for an open run. It's gonna be so fetch.

Who's going?!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/9/18 at 5:58pm

I will be at the first preview on Monday night.  Saw the show in DC the week it opened, so I'm very curious to see what has changed or developed since then. Based on what I saw on social media at that time, I'm aware that they were still making changes even after it opened, continuing to do so up until the run ended.  It's nice to know they took advantage of that time. I will be sure to report back!

[natashalost]

Posted: 3/9/18 at 6:02pm

Was just about to start this but thank you for doing it!

Anything Ashley Park does, I'll go see so I'm so excited for this show! I don't have tickets yet but I'm going to try to go as early as possible. I'm hearing really great things about the book, and with Fey as the book writer, I'm confident at least get a Tony nomination, if not win. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/9/18 at 11:31pm

Any invited dress reports?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/10/18 at 12:18am

Follow Scott Pask on IG and you'll see plenty of set pics! It doesn't look too interesting, but I'm sure in the show it's different. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/10/18 at 12:20am

RippedMan said: "Follow Scott Pask on IG and you'll see plenty of set pics! It doesn't look too interesting, but I'm sure in the show it's different."

Most of the scenic elements involve projections, as well as a few practical scenic pieces like desks, bedroom furniture, cafeteria tables, etc. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/10/18 at 12:26am

Oh boo. I hate that it's kind of basic, but still curious to see the show.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/11/18 at 12:54am

There are a few posts of tickets and the inside of the theatre from tonight's invited dress!

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/850993735065900/august-wilson-theatre/

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/11/18 at 8:41am

I would rather see a musical of Easy A than this, I just don’t get the love for it. 

[222disneyland]

Posted: 3/11/18 at 8:11pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "There are a few posts of tickets and the inside of the theatre from tonight's invited dress!

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/850993735065900/august-wilson-theatre/"

I understand the set. But wish there was some physical set props as well. It just looks 'half naked' up there

[wish i were here2]

Posted: 3/11/18 at 9:08pm

I'll be at the first preview tomorrow! Will report back! :)

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 9:39am

Starts tonight! Can't wait to hear how the show has changed from D.C. (hopefully all for its benefit!).

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 9:42am

I'm SO eager to hear what they've changed. Especially song wise. The score was already so strong in D.C. - I can only imagine it's gotten better.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 9:48am

CindersGolightly said: "I'm SO eager to hear what they've changed. Especially song wise. The score was already so strong in D.C. - I can only imagine it's gotten better."

There were a few songs that had the potential to be restructured, omitted, or rewritten. The solo they gave Regina’s mom, for example, but if she can have a solo, shouldn’t Ms. Norbury? She most warrants a song aside from the Mathelete Tournament/Prom sequence. 

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 10:03am

Don't worry about the set. Visually, the show (at least in DC) is a knockout. The projections are used incredibly creatively and Nicholaw's staging makes great use of other props and pieces.

It just needed a little cleaning up and tightening, and we need to get a few more feels from the ending, but it's all fixable and has the makings of a big hit. With Band's Visit ineligible for some of the non-Tony awards this season, expect Mean Girls to be a contender.

[taylortrensch]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 10:18am

I can't wait to see photos & read reviews! The outside of the August Wilson is great, I love what they've done with the doors and the marquee! 

[h6p8gv]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 7:22pm

FOr those there tonight if there is a song list in the playbill please post it

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 7:54pm

The line to get in has circled the block around 8th Avenue. We haven’t all been let in yet, but a majority of people are.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 7:58pm

Loved this show so much in DC. Can't wait for everyone to see it! 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 8:11pm

No song list in the Playbill

[Great Dame]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 8:29pm

I'm hoping to see this in May so I'm looking forward to some reviews!

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 8:36pm

Great Dame said: "I'm hoping to see this in May so I'm looking forward to some reviews!"

I guarantee there will be reviews before May.

[jonah3500]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 9:07pm

Intermission should be soon, any reports?

[EPDD1000]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 9:31pm

From my viewing the other night...

It's an amazing show. It sizzles with wit and intelligence. Definitely my favorite show right now -- we all remember the Regina of our high school. It's truly an incredible adaptation. 

The literal only big thing that I was disappointed in is the opening of both acts. "Wild Life" from D.C. is gone and in its place a song called "It Roars". The melody is just not as memorable and it doesn't bring the animal/teenager analogy to life as much as the former did. It's a guitar type song and it really doesn't fit the tone of the show at all. It feels tentative and it just isn't effective - being long and drawn out. I didn't even know what the name of the sound would be until midway through because the song was so general. Having Janis and Damien start the show with something more high-energy raises the stakes from the get go. Really preferred the other song. 

 

Bossed Up has completely been cut. New song called "Stop", Damien tapping and being hilarious. I didn't find this number to be necessary at all, and found Bossed Up to be more charming and effective. The new number is basically Damien trying to tell a distracted and fancy Cady to "stop", using the ensemble to give examples of times when they should have stopped. It doesn't do much more than Bossed Up and honestly the former was an energized way to start the second act. It's really funny but honestly kind of random. The tapping was cool but the number is so long and doesn't quite have a motive except to be funny, which is fine, but in this show, time is of the essence and I honestly think a Cady song needs to be here. 

I hope it's not too late to work with them because those two slots in a musical are very important (at least to me) and they're quite literally the only big weak links. 

The entire cast from top to bottom is doing an outstanding job. So funny and so nuanced. They're tapping more into the insecurity of being 16-17 and it's very subtle but effective. Cady's story and her journey has been made much more clear, as well as the choices she has to make. Regina is a bit meaner, giving us a reason to hate her, and her role has certainly been expanded. I'm really hoping she's recognized this season with the voters. Both of her songs are amazing and her energy and iciness is truly impressive. 

Apart from that, minor changes... Cady has tons of asides now. Justice is now called Fearless, same melody. New finale, which is so much more effective. Stay With Mother is cut but a reprise of What is Wrong With Me with Gretchen and Ms. George is in its place and it works great. 

 

It's a catchy score, and the book is near perfect. They're obviously adding a ton of new lines in to see what lands. I just hope they fix the two numbers. I'd be interested to hear what anyone else who has attended thought. 

 

Movie Jokes (that made it in)

- "Fetch"

- Glen Coco

- The limit does not exist

- October 3rd

- Karen being a sexy mouse 

- Mrs. George and her dog

- If you're from Africa... (changed the night I saw it to) why can I understand you? Am I bilingual? 

- You can't sit with us

- On Wednesdays we wear pink 

- Cady, tell him his hair looks sexy pushed back.

- She doesn't even go here! 

- Danny Devito, I love your work!!!

- I did not leave the south side for this 

- Kalteen bars 

- Whatever, I'm getting cheese fries. 

- It's not my fault I have a heavy flow and a wide set vagina. 

- So you agree? You think you're really pretty?

- I don't hate you because you're fat. You're fat because I hate you. 

- It's not your fault you're so gap toothed. 

- I'm not a regular mom... I'm a cool mom!

 

New/Replaced

- Opening 

- Fearless (in place of Justice)

- Stop (in place of Bossed Up)

- What's Wrong With Me (Reprise)

- Stars (Finale) 

 

Completely Cut: 

- Stay With Mother (Regina's mom song)

 

Song List

Opening 

Where Do You Belong?/The Plastics

Stupid With Love

Apex Predator

What's Wrong With Me?

I Can Be 

Till Someone Gets Hurt

Revenge Party 

Stupid With Love Reprise

Fearless 

 

Stop

What's Wrong With Me Reprise

Who's House Is This? 

More Is Always Better

Watch the World Burn

I'd Rather Be Me

Do Your Thing

Stars

[curel1]

Posted: 3/12/18 at 9:36pm

Aww, I hope they put back Wild Life, really loved that song