MEAN GIRLS to Make Chicago-Area Premiere at Paramount Theatre in Aurora
Devon Hayakawa will make their Paramount solo directing debut helming the production.
Aurora's Paramount Theatre will launch its 15th Broadway Series with the Chicago-area premiere of Mean Girls, August 26-October 11, 2026. Opening Night is Friday, September 4 at 7 p.m.
Based on Tina Fey's Paramount Pictures film, Mean Girls is the story of Cady Heron, a sweet and smart new girl who's just moved from Africa to Chicago's North Shore. When she enters the wild world of North Shore High, she quickly finds herself tangled up with The Plastics, the school's most popular - and ruthless - clique led by queen bee Regina George. As Cady tries to fit in, she learns that popularity comes with a price. And revenge can get ugly fast.
With a book by Tina Fey, music by Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Neil Benjamin, Mean Girls gets an A+ for big laughs, bold, campy style, unforgettable pop-rock songs, and a message that is surprisingly honest. It's a fresh, colorful must-see for anyone who's ever tried to find their place in the crowd. So grab your friends, wear pink (on Wednesdays, of course), and experience the non-stop, fun-loving musical that proves even the fiercest frenemies can find redemption.
Devon Hayakawa, after serving on the directing teams of South Pacific, Come From Away, Cats, and Disney's Frozen, makes their Paramount solo directing debut with Mean Girls. Their top-tier creative team includes choreographer Kasey Alfonso (Come From Away, Jeff Award-winner, Cats), veteran Paramount Broadway Series music director and conductor Kory Danielson, set designer Milo Bue (Come From Away) and Costume Designer Kotryna Hilko (Peter and the Starcatcher).
On stage, Cady Heron will be played by Elizabeth Stenholt, familiar to Paramount audiences as Olive in The 25th Anniversary Putnam County Spelling Bee (Jeff-nominated, Performer in a Supporting Role), Medium Alison in Fun Home (winner, Jeff Award, Performer in a Supporting Role), and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
Elizabeth Stenholt as Olive in Paramount's The 25th Anniversary Putnam County Spelling Bee (Jeff-nominated, Performer in a Supporting Role, 2025), Medium Alison in Fun Home (Jeff Award winner, Performer in a Supporting Role, 2023, opposite Mean Girls director Devon Hayakawa), and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (2018). Photo left: credit Amy Nelson. Photos center and right: Liz Lauren
Dariana Mullen, coming off The Great Gatsby at New York's Broadway Theatre, makes her Chicago debut as Cady's arch nemesis, Regina George.
The cast also features Angel Alzeidan as Gretchen Wieners, Julia Hope Budd as Karen Smith, Diego Vazquez Gomez as Aaron Samuels, Lucy Godinez as Janis Sarkisian, Steven Klenk as Damian Hubbard, Ben Mathew as Kevin G, and Veronica Garza as Mrs. Heron/Ms. Norbury/Mrs. George, and Austin Nelson Jr. as Principal Duvall.
The ensemble includes Tola Abitogun, Jeremiah Alsop, Matty Bettencourt, Anna Louise Bramlett, Nicole DiSandro, Ben Dow, Tiyanna Gentry, Joshua Messmore, Hannah Remian, Nataki Rennie, Morgan Schoenecker, Jacob Simon, Abby C. Smith, Amanda Walker and Elaine Watson.
|
Fleetwood Max Raue Center For The Arts (10/03-10/03) |
|
Love Story: A Tribute to Taylor Swift Raue Center For The Arts (11/07-11/07) |
|
Rotary Rocks The Raue: James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash Raue Center For The Arts (10/24-10/24) |
|
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band Raue Center For The Arts (9/25-9/25) |
|
Memphis The Musical Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building (10/24-10/25) |
|
for colored girls who considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf eta Creative Arts Foundation (8/01-8/30) |
|
James and the Giant Peach North Shore Center for the Performing Arts - North Theatre (4/22-5/14) PHOTOS |
|
Northern Lights Wentz Concert Hall (10/11-10/11) |
|
Broadway in Your Backyard Porchlight Music Theatre (7/06-9/19) |
|
A Midsummer Night's Dream The Theater Lab, a District 214 Community Education Program (8/14-8/23) |