Mean Girls @ The National in DC - Reactions — Page 10

DeepVSexyWitch2 said: "Heard a rumor from a pretty reputable source that Mean Girls will be moving into the Lunt now that Charlie is closing, instead of the previously announced August Wilson."

Why? Is it because of Home for the Holidays? They probably don't want back luck from that show. I'M JUST SAYING THOUGH. Home for the Holidays got really bad reviews. Hollywood Reporter said this: "Morose over being stuck in the city during the holidays? Tired of seeing those same old perennials like the Radio City Christmas show or The Nutcracker? If you answered yes and wish to throw yourself even further into seasonal depression, there's a new show on Broadway that's just the ticket" (Ouch).

LOVE that Peitzman review. So happy he agrees that Louderman steals the show. I get more and more excited for her as each day passes. She really is giving an incredible comedic, truly nuanced performance.

The original Jingle Bell Rock scene was choreographed by Donna Feore, one of the biggest musical theatre directors/choreographers in Canada. I wonder if there were rights issues surrounding using her choreography on Broadway?

CindersGolightly said: "I graduated high school in 2015, and all four years were certainly very, very, veryclique-driven."

Like Mean Girls?

Cliques will always be relevant. Just human nature to be friends with people with similar interests to you. There hasn't been some radical transformation since 2004 that everyone holds hands and skips down the hallways together.

Just got back from the show tonight. It was super, super fun. As an experience alone I loved it, but when looking at it technically I would give it a 7/10.

There are some great moments and BRILLIANT direction and choreography, but the whole trajectory of the show is a little lost story and character-wise. With more solidified songs for Cady and Regina, this can be fixed. Regina needs a big song near the top of Act One to establish her power and the rest will make sense. Not sure if it's Taylor Louderman or the writing, but beyond not having a big song the role didn't 100% work. The other two plastics were phenomenal and had the audience in the palms of their hands. Ashley's facial expressions are spot on and her nuanced acting does the character wonders. I was, though, confused about her wonderful and sentimental song in Act One and how it didn't really ever come around by the end of the show. It was a nice moment but didn't help Gretchen's arc in the long run.

Barrett and Grey are amazing and are clearly having a lot of fun. I wish they had a strong duet just for the two of them in one of their rooms or at the mall plotting or something-just something where it's only the two of them in the spotlight. It seemed like they were tagged into a lot of things here and there except for Janis's "I'd Rather be Me" song...

I've never seen Kerry Butler be so amazing. She killed all three of her roles.

Ensemble was great. Ben Cook, Jonalyn Saxer, and Nikhil Saboo are clear standouts- they had great energy and can dance like mofos. I loved the choreography and staging-Nicholaw is brilliant and this aspect of the piece is top-notch. The desk-ography and transitions between classes in the first school scene blew my mind and was so inventive. Loved the cafeteria and tray work, definitely hints of Newsies. Definitely hints of Mormon in the opening song, as well with the Africa stuff-specifically Mrs. Brown as Rafiki type stuff.

Additionally-small thing, but one of the panels of one of the screen walls was out. It was on for a bit, and kept glitching, until I guess they decided it best to turn it off. Hopefully it's fixed ASAP because it was distracting! Heard some comments about it on the way out of the theatre.

Overall I would say between now and Broadway it just needs focus. More defined songs with catchy melodies will help the commercial level of success and campy yet sometimes sentimental style that they clearly want and are going for. Regina and Cady need their own new songs, give something to Janis and Damien. Cut the Mrs. George song, Kerry is great and shines in the other material-we didn't need that little diddy. They could have a hit on their hands. For whatever it is, it is definitely a fun night out. And PLEASE add something about Karen being able to tell if it is raining by touching her boobs-iconic line that I did miss.



xx

Updated On: 11/23/17 at 01:02 AM

Hi - I'm coming to New York next year, from the UK. First time in a while. I've been looking at Mean Girls tickets at the August Wilson Theatre - surprised at how expensive it is compared to the West End! Paying $250 + fees is really unheard of here. I've narrowed down my seat choices (still expensive, but more bearable....) to front orchestra on the side (around row D, E or F, 3 or 4 seats in from the far side) or front mezzanine on the side (row A, about 5 or 6 seats in from the side).

If anyone has any advice about which is likely to be better, that would be much appreciated.

Thanks :)

Several cast members noted via Instagram Story that they're in "previews" again and one of them had posts of the creative team members there for rehearsals.