In the 130-year theatre tradition of Summer Stock, thirty students from a multitude of theatre programs across the valley are coming together to stage Mean Girls, High School Version. The production is a collaboration with Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) and Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT).
“The institution of Summer Stock began in some unlikely spaces, including barns and tents, but in our case, we are fortunate to have the fabulous Palm Canyon Theatre as our venue and partner in this first-time collaboration, which is very exciting,” said David Green, PSUSD manager of theatre & performing arts and founder of Musical Theatre University (MTU).
Cast members from ten valley schools range in age from 13-19. Sets and costumes will recreate the fictional North Shore High School where Cady Heron (Tori Mendoza) transfers after years of being homeschooled on the African Savanna. Trying to fit into “normal” teenage life in suburban Illinois, Cady finds herself caught in the popularity hierarchy of high school. With a plan to dethrone the Queen Bee, Regina George (Kaiya Treash) and her minions known as The Plastics, Cady is conflicted between enjoying the benefits of status and changing the status quo.
Based on the 2004 Mean Girls movie, written by Tina Fey (30 Rock & Saturday Night Live), the musical made its way to Broadway in 2018, where it was nominated for 12 Tony Awards. Mean Girls (Musical) was also written by Fey with music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. This production is directed by Green with choreography by Se Layne, PCT co-artistic director. With musical direction by Jaci Davis and costume design by Derik Shopinski. “There are so many talented young people in our area all chomping at the bit to grow even further and show audiences what they can do,” said Layne. “This collaboration with PSUSD is energizing for those of us in theatre education, but it will also be a thrill for our community to see and thoroughly enjoy.”
Mean Girls, High School Version runs July 7-16. Show times are 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $38 for adults; $34 for seniors; $17 for students. Group discounts are available. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or other information, call the PCT Box Office at 760-323-5123 or order online at palmcanyontheatre.org. Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive. Summer Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mean Girls, High School Version is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. mtishows.com.
