Mean Girls @ The National in DC - Reactions — Page 6

I agree with much that was already said. I saw it the first night so it will be interesting to see the changes that are made by the time it comes to NYC.

- LOVED the choreography
- Damien had the funniest lines
- Janice killed it
-Stuck very close to the movie
- I see not everyone liked the set but I thought it fit very well with the story.

Saw it last night!

Overall: I thought it did well and will continue to do well. It was all the old classic jokes plus some new very funny material in the book. The music wasn't bad? I think? I really don't remember much of it specifically the day after, but I didn't dislike any of it when I saw it. Definitely not like Legally Blonde where (whether you love it or you hate it), Omigod etc will stick with you afterwards.

There are about three numbers I am waiting for them to cut/shorten. Apex Predator was about 17 years long, and Gretchen and Regina's Mom each have songs that are fine, but didn't move the plot forward at all and that the audience didn't love. I got out of the 8PM show at 10:55 - given, it started late and the intermission was long, but I wouldn't be surprised if a couple solo numbers got the ax.

That being said, I'm bummed I didn't get to see Barrett really shine as much as I wanted her to in the show - she had that one feel-good song at the end, I'd Rather Be, but I would have been thrilled to hear way more from her.

Cady had great energy and a great voice! I liked all three Plastics. Was super excited to see Taylor as Regina, and she did not disappoint. They look way more like the movie characters onstage than they do on the promo posters. All three had great voices, great comedic timing, and really smart material to work with.

The choreography was high energy but messy. I feel like if you're going to have that much full-cast choreography, it just has to be clean and sharp or else it reads as a mob onstage. I'm sure set pieces will be on tracks when it transfers, but I was pleasantly surprised at the transitons and how smooth they were with things just on wheels. Gives me high hopes about what the next iteration of the set will be. Staging was suuuuper slick - they did not waste a moment between scenes. There were some really smart transitions - from class to class, all of the movement in in Where Do You Belong with rolling tables, that I was really impressed by.

Projections were fine. Wish they did a little less. Some moments felt like clip art. I wish they kept the background more static and tried to get less jokes out of the projections - Regina's head was on a stick during Revenge in the projections, for example, which I thought was a bit on the nose. I hope it gets cleaned up a bit more and reads more like a professional Broadway designer created the projections.

I've been going around in circles comparing it to Legally, Heathers, and Bring it On in my head. Unlike Heathers, it's definitely a show that is built for Broadway - a lot of the satire is ironed out when it was musicalized, and gained a lot more "feel good" moments. Unlike Bring it On, it's way more loyal to the source material, so people who are coming to see it because they know the movie will recognize and love it. I'm going to predict it'll land about as well as Legally did. I'm glad I got to catch it here - it's not really my kind of show, so I won't be dishing out the money to see it later.

Updated On: 11/2/17 at 10:57 AM

Linking the reddit audio or talking about the reddit is how the reddit is going to go away. Shut the fVck up, all of you.

mckmillican said: "Cady had great energy and a great voice!"

That was never in question https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caUWu13lu5Y

standingovation79 said: "the Saturday Matinee crowd that that makes things like Hamilton a hit will, I'm predicting, not be that excited to see this."

I disagree. I think this is the type of show that sells out on weekends and holidays because people know the name, and then low attendance all week because the locals don't care, and the kids are all in school.

And the Saturday matinee crowd isn't what made Hamilton a hit.

Oh, there's one Trump joke at the end that brought down the house, but hopefully that will be cut before it moves to Broadway. :)

Overall - I really enjoyed it. I was kind of surprised how much I did as a big fan of the movie and skeptical about film-to-stage adaptions. Tina Fey has written a great book and seems to be one of the better movie to stage adaptions I've seen. It is running a little long at the moment, and a few of the fan service moments can feel a little overdone but its in a promising place this early into the run. I can't wait to see the final incarnation of it once it hits broadway (and yes, I'd see it again. and again)

Music - I enjoyed the score, with each character having a different sound helping flesh out some of the characters. It did lack a show-stopper song. I'd love for the end of Act 1 to be BIGGER musically (right now it's big just in the sense of choreography). A few solo songs need to be cut and modified but I think there is promise.

Choreography - it's great. the ensemble sure can move. I loved the non-track props. It was surprisingly seamless. The set projection (video?) was well done for the most part. Some funny hidden jokes. A few scenes could be paired back (Regina's face being plastered everywhere was overkill).

Actors - I actually really enjoyed Taylor's Regina - it's different to the film but enjoyable in it's own way. Her enunciation / mic volume could be tightened for sure. Kate Rockwell as Karen was my favorite for sure. She was hilarious. Ashley's Gretchen was lacking for me. I didn't see much vulnerability in her performance. I agree with someone else who said Cady was "OK", I thought she was kind of boring and forgettable compared to others.

I think Janis and Damien roles were written for Tony Awards. Kevin G was awesome. Kerry Butler's Mrs Norbury was the best of her characters. I hope they focus more on that role than the others.



I think the show will have a long-term success. Everyone was eating it up in the audience. A few tweaks and I think it could be in contention for a few nominations/award wins as well!

Updated On: 11/2/17 at 01:40 PM

Taylor's line read for "Boo, you whore! Go lie to someone stupid." is one of the funniest things I've ever heard on stage. That sounds like an overreaction, but it's brilliant. I really think Taylor Louderman, Barrett Wilbert Weed, and Kerry Butler are the Tony contenders. At least, so far.

Updated On: 11/2/17 at 02:11 PM

I saw both of the first two performances (in town for work). Opening night was quite fun with the Halloween crowd. I haven't seen the film in 10+ years, but I've seen over 900 musicals in my life. Just background on my perspective.

Book is hilarious. Direction / choreography is smooth, slick, and fun. Great transitions. Set is effective mix of screens and set pieces slid on and off by cast (I didn't mind it a bit).

Lyrics are better than the music. Not bad, but very few really standout melodies. I do have Revenge Party in my head though.

Kerry Butler is a goddess! She was so adorable in all three adult female roles. Just delightful!

Kate Rockwell was wonderful as dumb Karen. Barrett rocks it out and has more material than I thought upon my initial viewing when seen a second time. She has a deceivingly large part! Ashley Park shows great acting - very vulnerable and solid throughout. Taylor is fine, but her material lets her down.

Actor playing Damien was great, but I think his role is more rewarding to fans of the show than in general. Erika as Cady was very good, but some of the other roles shine more.

Act 1 is long - not sure that any one song should be cut - maybe trim the opening and Apex Predator.



Scott

Is there any merch available?

scottcain said: "Taylor is fine, but her material lets her down."

I'm a big fan of Taylor's performance, much more than fine in my opinion, but echo this last sentiment. One of the reasons I love her performance so much is because she rises above the lackluster material and shines anyway. I think Regina's material should be the biggest thing they work on. She's the Queen Bee - why doesn't she have a song to showcase that? She needs a song in the first act. That, and maybe adding a song for Ms. Norbury? Because I feel like that's needed, as Kerry shines the brightest there. Though, her Ms. George is...so funny.

And I hope they cut the party song and write something better, because the, "No, seriously, whose house is this?" line only works the first time. The other three (four?) times it is said, it loses the comedic punch.

Interview with the Mean Girls (and more) from today's Wash. Post weekend section. https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/theater-dance/meet-the-new-mean-girls-bound-for-broadway-in-tina-feys-musical-adaptation/2017/10/30/007adb7a-bb35-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html?utm_term=.cefc2e53c7b7

UGH... These Broadway ticket prices! I am debating on purchasing tix for Broadway previews now or waiting it out and see if there have a discount in the new year. What are your thoughts?