North Shore High is heading to Scottsdale this week as Greasepaint Theatre presents \u201cMean Girls:High School Version.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opening Sept. 12 and running through Sept. 21 at the historic Stagebrush Theatre, 7020 E. 2nd St., the youth production features over 30 teen performers from across the Valley, delivering the razor-sharp wit, outrageous humor and heartfelt lessons that made Tina Fey\u2019s 2004 film a cultural touchstone.<\/p>\n
The cast features Mesa residents Sloane Bereche as Dawn and ensemble, Albert Mendoza as Damian and Savannah Springer as Karen Smith.<\/p>\n
Adapted for the stage and nominated for 12 Tony Awards, the musical adds a pop-infused Broadway score that makes it even more unforgettable.<\/p>\n
The show is directed by Dale Nakagawa, with Mary Ellen Loose of Mesa serving as music director, Olivia Feldman as choreographer and Alaina Lish as stage manager.<\/p>\n
Together, they\u2019re helping young performers channel the full spectrum of emotion, comedy and chaos that defines high school life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve assembled a fierce, funny and ridiculously talented cast for this production,\u201d said Nakagawa. \u201cThis is \u2018Mean Girls\u2019 at its best\u2014smart, edgy and full of heart. It\u2019s everything you loved about the movie, with even more bite and brilliance.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the center of it all is Cady Heron, a brilliant, homeschooled teenager who recently moved from Africa and finds herself wildly unprepared for the social terrain of an American high school.<\/p>\n
Armed with a love of calculus and no clue how cliques work, Cady becomes entangled with the Plastics \u2013 North Shore High\u2019s ruling trio of ultra-glamorous mean girls.<\/p>\n
As the story unfolds, audiences are introduced to a wildly entertaining mix of characters\u2014from Regina George, the iconic queen bee, to a host of teachers, parents and classmates who are equal parts hilarious, flawed and relatable.<\/p>\n
Each brings their own chaos and charm to North Shore High, creating a world that\u2019s as over-the-top as it is familiar.<\/p>\n
With its Tony-nominated score by Jeff Richmond and Neil Benjamin, \u201cMean Girls\u201d features fan-favorite songs like \u201cStupid with Love,\u201d \u201cI\u2019d Rather Be Me\u201d and the fiery showstopper \u201cWorld Burn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Loose said the musical\u2019s complexity gives the cast a unique opportunity to grow vocally while also leaning into its strong comedic material.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so impressed with the level, skill and maturity of our soloists,\u201d Loose said. \u201cThey seem beyond their years in their abilities. The entire cast has immersed themselves in learning the music and performing it enthusiastically from their hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The production also leans heavily on high-energy, high-impact choreography. From hallway showdowns to fantasy sequences, Feldman\u2019s choreography pushes the teen cast in every way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe choreography in this show is wild\u2014in the best way,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s fast, it\u2019s fierce, and it demands complete commitment from every cast member. Whether they\u2019re in the spotlight or part of the ensemble, they\u2019re dancing like their lives depend on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As rehearsals have progressed, Nakagawa said he\u2019s been struck by how deeply the performers have connected to the material.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fun show, but it also asks real questions,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat does it cost to fit in? Who are you when no one\u2019s watching? These are themes our teens encounter in their own lives. It makes the material infinitely more relatable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Greasepaint Theatre has been a cornerstone of Valley youth performance for decades. Since 1984, it has introduced thousands of young artists to the stage through accessible, high-quality productions that emphasize both creativity and community.<\/p>\n
Loose said that legacy continues with this cast.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel very strongly about continuing the legacy and tradition of this historical theatre,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a vital part of Scottsdale\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at greasepaint.org<\/a>. The show is expected to sell out.<\/p>\n Additional show information, including the complete cast list and showtimes, is available at the website.<\/p>\n