It’s truly wonderful to see the large theater at 54 W. Church St. filled with enthusiastic patrons once again. The former home of the Mad Cow Theater and Fringe Arts Space in the heart of downtown is buzzing again thanks to a lively production of the musical “Mean Girls.”
That fan-favorite show is an adaptation of the 2004 film by Tina Fey. (If you’re wearing pink on Wednesdays, you may also remember that Fey, a Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock alum, brought the story, which was originally adapted into a stage musical, to a musical film in 2024, coming full circle.)
Renaissance Theater is temporarily using the space to present “Mean Girls” at 54 W. Church while its regular theater off Princeton Street works out permitting issues.
But just because Ren is on the road doesn’t mean he’s left behind everything that makes him special. And this production of “Mean Girls,” an unusual mainstream choice for theaters, plays to its strengths to the fullest.
As the insert song tells the audience, “Mean Girls” is a “cautionary tale.” The film, set in a high school, shows how power corrupts. Even, or perhaps especially, when the power in question is teen popularity. The story centers on Cady, who transfers to a new high school where she meets new friends Damian, who is “too gay to function,” and Janice, a sly artist, who involve her in a plan to take down the titular mean girls. They are known as “plastics” and rule the school with orders such as “wear pink on Wednesdays.”
Directed by Blake Aburn, this high-octane musical is a fun look at the jungle that is high school hierarchy (a metaphor it takes literally with a dynamic, animal-like dance number that showcases Abby Cash’s choreography). “Mean Girls” isn’t a subtle show, and Aburn is working on that by incorporating moments that serve the fans.
One of the reasons this film feels like a Renaissance piece is the diversity of the cast, which is a refreshing reminder of what high school, and the world, is really like. Ensemble members made these characters their own through their line delivery and, in some cases, great dance skills.
Wren’s pedigree can also be seen in the ingenuity of Brian de Souza’s set design, where the rows of lockers open to reveal cafeteria tables. Ben Lowe’s video design helps set the scene and mood while also adding to the entertainment value.
Also, the live music, another feature of Ren, definitely adds to the energy, as led by Dragomir Page and Bryce Hayes, although it can be a little loud in places.
As narrators, Damian and Janice, Joe Russi and Lauren Cole do a good job of portraying the characters’ quirks, keeping it interesting but not overly fatiguing. Eiburn finds the right tone for both comical and serious moments.
Isabel Bernal is charming as the powerful Cady, and Jenny Tocchi is suitably calm as Regina. Like the narrators, Sierra Muhammad and Michelle Corben also play the characters’ quirks (erratic and slow to swallow) with just the right balance without overdoing it.
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The guys have little to do except make the right impressions as love interests (Jose Rivera), rapping math nerds (de Souza), and an unbalanced school principal (Nick Bazo). (We know that Fey loves the fact that male protagonists are reduced to “love interests,” a nickname given to countless female protagonist roles.)
But the MVP of my performance was understudy Lana Gallo, who understood in three roles and made each one her own.
It is also known that “Mean Girls” was produced by creative extras from the Renaissance Theater. The lobby of the theater space is painted in shades of pink, reflecting Regina and her friends’ signature colors. And the space will host the “Spring Fling” afterparty, another homage to the show’s plot, with drinks and entertainment (separate or combined tickets required).
Renaissance Theater Company should soon move into its home, but in the meantime, enjoy the energy it brings to downtown, director Donald Lupe said. Don’t forget to wear pink on Wednesday.
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“Mean Girls”
Length: 2:25, including intermission Location: 54 W. Church St., Orlando When: Through March 15 Price: From $22 Info: rentheatre.com
