PHOTO ABOVE: Broadway Marquee (Photo: Shutterstock.com)
Charisma McIlvaine
In 2004, the film “Mean Girls” was released. The teen comedy, which became a cult classic, was directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey. The film, loosely based on Rosalind Wiseman’s book Queen Bees and Wannabes, centers around the dangers that often accompany everyday life and the social hierarchy of an all-girls high school. The popular girls were led by queen bee and reigning terrorist Regina George, played by Rachel McAdams, Gretchen Weiners (Lacey Chabert) and Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried). The outsiders are pretty much everyone else.
The outsiders include Janis Ian and Damian Lee, who first befriend Cady Heron, played by Lindsay Lohan, a naive home-schooled exchange student whose family has just moved to the United States from Africa.
When Cady is welcomed into the popular clique, she throws caution and her other friends to the wind when her crush on Aaron Samuels, Regina’s boyfriend, spirals out of control, turning her into a Regina George clone and a certified mean girl.
The film has been adapted for the stage and will officially premiere on Broadway on April 8, 2018. “Mean Girls” returns to Philadelphia and the Kimmel Cultural Campus for its second national tour. Kristen Amanda Smith and Ethan Jih-Cook, who play Gretchen Weiners and Damian Hubbard in the musical, spoke to SUN about their excitement about being on the show.
For both Jih-Kook and Smith, Mean Girls is a dream show. Each of them shared how they were put through the open auditions.
“There was an open audition where everyone could submit a video. I thought, “I’m not getting this.” Me and my friends thought, ‘Let’s just add our pictures and audition for The Mean Girls’ national tour just for fun…’ so I did that without thinking about it,” Jih-Kook said. “Then they called me and invited me to come to the audition in person. I made an appointment and they called me back the same day. When they called me back, I was shocked because I didn’t think I would do it. The next morning I found out that I received it. It took a while to really realize that this was happening!”
“It was pretty much the same for me,” Smith said. “I saw that there was an open competition. I said, “Okay, I’ll do it and see what happens.” Funny story – I was actually applying for a different role. A few days later, I received a self-tape request that said, “Please tape Gretchen Weiners.” I was going to teach at a summer camp in Florida, and then on my birthday I received an email asking me to come in person and set up a meeting with Gretchen—the best birthday gift ever. It was the best thing I got this year! I walked in and was very proud of what I did. I received an email that said, “We would like to invite you to a last call tomorrow.” I entered. Cassie Nicolow was there and the next day I got an email saying I got the part! It was phenomenal… I cried.”
Known for phrases like “you can’t sit with us” and “bring it,” Mean Girls lingo remains popular decades later.
“I feel like it’s always been a staple of pop culture,” Jih-Kook recalls. “The movie was made before I was born, and even when I was in high school, people were quoting it all the time.” This is such an iconic film, especially for young people, that everyone who went to high school and graduated from high school will be familiar with. I think people will always talk about it.”
“This movie came out when I was four years old, and now I get to play one of the most iconic characters,” Smith added. “This is crazy to me! Growing up, everyone quoted it, all the teen magazines quoted it, and it’s such an iconic moment.”
Not only does Mean Girls bring unforgettable gems in the form of iconic quotes, but it also tackles some real-life issues that high school students face every day, such as gang culture, bullying, and the importance of accepting others’ differences.
“I feel like Damian is very important as a character,” Jih-Kook said. “There aren’t a lot of roles for plus-size people and gay people… and where the storyline isn’t just about being plus-size and gay, it has an actual storyline beyond that. When I saw a movie that was special to me… to see someone who looked like me in the media. To be able to bring this story to the entire country is truly something special and I feel very grateful and honored to have the opportunity to do so.”
“I was interested in it because I was into theater in high school,” Smith added. “I was a theater fan, always on stage, sort of separated from the rest of what was happening. In many ways, I am like Gretchen—the part of me that wanted to be accepted. Sometimes I think many of us can relate to trying to change ourselves to fit into society because we are trying to blend in. It’s like we think that’s the most important thing about high school and growing up. Be like everyone else, don’t stand out… I think we can all relate to that, and I definitely had those moments in high school.”
Mean Girls also impresses musically, combining fan-favorite elements from the film into an incredible soundtrack.
“All of these iconic lines are put right into the book and into the songs,” Jih-Cook said. “I think they did a great job adapting it into a musical. The music is so catchy. Even though we live and breathe this musical, I still miss it and listen to the cast recordings over our rehearsals.”
Smith described her favorite song, “Revenge Party,” as “really fun.”
“There are so many pieces in between that really bring the story together,” Smith said. “In the middle of this big dance number, Gretchen has a breakdown and Cady tries to sabotage Regina… it’s controlled chaos, and I love it.”
Jih-Kook, who was born and raised in Philadelphia and appeared on Kimmel’s Cultural Campus Showstoppers, shared his excitement about returning home.
“I grew up in Philadelphia, so I’m so excited,” Jih-Cook said. I grew up watching the concerts and tours that happen in Philadelphia, so this is a very important moment for me. I’ve always watched these shows, and now I can actually do them.”
“I’m so excited… are you kidding me? I live for this!” – said Smith.
To keep up with the travels of Ethan Jih-Cook and Kristen Amanda Smith, be sure to follow them on IG @ethanjihcook and @kvistena, respectively, and visit Smith’s website at www.kristenamanda.com.
“Mean Girls” will play at the Miller Theater on the Kimmel Cultural Campus from October 3-8. For more information on tickets and performance times, visit: www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.