The Wait is Over; Somers High School Will Stage ‘Mean Girls’ in April

The student actors in Somers High School’s upcoming production of Mean Girls have been waiting years to stage the Tina Fey-driven high school comedy. Now they’re rehearsing the show for April performances and, yes, it is a massive deal.

Senior Ava Renne was “over the moon” when she learned the popular show was this year’s musical. Also, she knew exactly which part she wanted to audition for – queen bee Regina George, head of the snooty clique called the Plastics.

“She’s mean, she’s rude,” Renne said at a recent rehearsal. To play the cunning, socially dominant student (a “massive deal” is how Regina describes herself), “You have to become one with her sass and her attitude,” Renne said.

Based on a 2004 movie, the musical ran on Broadway from 2018 to 2020. The high school version was licensed in fall 2022. The show tells the story of Cady Heron, a new student in school trying to fit in. In the Somers production, she is played by senior Olivia See.

“I love playing her,” See said. “It’s one of the most fun roles I’ve ever played.”

The Somers students were having fun rehearsing the show and meeting the challenges it presents.

Olivia Peck, a senior who plays Plastics member Karen, dons a total of 11 costumes throughout the show. She also makes use of a purse filled with items such as makeup and a phone, to fidget with as a way of filling out her character’s personality between lines.

Even when Karen isn’t speaking, Peck said, “She’s still a whole person who still interacts with her environment.”

Senior Julianna Guida, president of the theater group, plays Janis, and was surprised to learn she had to learn a new skill.

“A couple of days ago, I got roped into doing a tap number,” said Guida. “I’ve never tapped in my life.”

Alex Cascio, a junior who plays Aaron Samuels (Regina’s ex and Cady’s crush), loves the original movie starring, and now is enjoying the stage version.

“Now I’m really getting into the music,” he said.

The students will present Mean Girls at 7 p.m. on April 4 and 5, and at 2 p.m. on April 6. Purchase tickets here, or via the QR code in the show’s poster.