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
