Hilarious, Heartfelt, and Totally Fetch: Rivers Nonesuch Players Present Mean Girls

With a book by Tina Fey (after the 2004 film), music by Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, Mean Girls explores the social landscape and power dynamics of the queen bees and wannabes of girls at a public high school in suburban Illinois through the lens of new high school transplant Cady Heron (Sarah DuBard ’25). Having been homeschooled in the African savanna by scientist researcher parents, Cady arrives at her new school isolated and largely unfamiliar with the social morés of the American high school experience. She is soon taken in by Janis Ian (Jordan Felice ‘25) and Damian Hubbard (Andrew Ho ‘25) who teach her about the social cliques and pecking orders at the school—especially “the Plastics”—a trio of exclusive, popular girls led by the “Apex Predator” Regina George (Ceci Giebutowski ’25). Janis, having been burned by Regina in the past, warns Cady to avoid them at all costs. Cady finds her way in with the group, only to be burned herself, and she hatches a plan to take Regina down–but at what cost?  

The plot is largely familiar to fans of the original film or its Broadway counterpart, with some elements updated for the times, and the audience of adolescents who also make up the cast. The characters in the original drama were, well, mean! (no surprise.) Depictions of bullying, eating disorders, and body shaming–sometimes used as punchlines in the original film–were, in this production, presented with nuance and sensitivity. 

As the BRIDGE and GSA liaisons wrote, “Cast members and directors worked with GSA and BRIDGE to decide how to present the language and content of the musical while staying true to its storyline and humor. Specifically, The Rivers School does not condone bullying or the use of hateful speech. We hope to illuminate rather than glorify these issues in our production.”

At moments in the show, ensemble cast members–unnamed characters–shared confessions with the audience—their insecurities, their truths. “The Plastics” each had their own moment of self-reflection, too. Karen Smith (hilariously portrayed by Ally Giebutowski ’25), asserts her autonomy in one moment in the show: “Stop, because I’m actually a human being and not a prop.” Gretchen Weiners (Bridget Minogue ’25), ever the wannabe, wonders “What is Wrong with Me?” as she tries to conceive of an identity outside of following a queen bee. And even Regina, at the end of the play, reminds Cady–and the audience–that, after all, she’s been a human person this whole time. 

Putting together a show of this number is a feat several months into the making, and the production team couldn’t be more proud of this group’s accomplishments. 

Director Sam Bower shared, “As a new-to-Rivers director, I was so grateful with how welcoming the faculty and the cast were throughout the whole process. I could tell from the get-go that I was entering into an extremely warm, professional, and positive environment that not only valued the arts, but excelled at them. It was a joy to help bring this production to life, as every cast member came to rehearsals ready to explore, play, have fun, and create something meaningful.”

Music Director John Bower added, "I first worked with some of these senior cast members when they were sixth graders in middle school chorus, and it has been amazing to see how they’ve grown into such talented performers. It’s been an honor to collaborate with this incredible group of students, both on stage and behind the scenes. For many in the band, this is their first experience playing in a pit, and I hope it sparks new opportunities for them to continue exploring these kinds of gigs at Rivers and beyond." 

And while this may be Sam Bower’s first Rivers production, it is far from the first time the Bowers have worked together. 

"I've worked with Sam on upwards of 20+ shows and this ranks up there as one of the most special collaborations!" said John Bower. 

While the cast’s dramatic transformation into the characters of Mean Girls was striking in large part due to the talented acting, singing, and dancing, the excellent costuming and props, led by Cathy Favreau, played no small role in helping the cast become their plastic selves. 

Also worth noting were the dance numbers, choreographed by Margaret McFadden–new to Rivers this year–and senior Sarah DuBard. In one scene, Damien and other students start tap dancing in the lunchroom, just as Cady is absorbed in her phone—it is hard to conceive of how, as the number was so entertaining!

Shout out to the Tech Crew led by Ben Leeming, the Lighting Crew, and the pit orchestra, directed by John Bower and featuring a mix of Rivers student musicians and professionals, and to stage manager Nicole Marandett ’25. 

Auster-Hogan has a special place in her heart for this particular show and the people who bring it together.  “This community is so special because it provides a safe, creative, joyous space for risk-taking right from the audition process through to closing night. And it gives students who might not normally be singled out for their achievements their time in the spotlight. This show is about being yourself even if that means being different and I saw our cast and crew bring their authentic selves to the Black Box every day. If nothing else, that's what I hope the audience sees, too.”

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See the show for yourself!

Thursday, February 20, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 21, 7:00 p.m.

Regis College Fine Arts Center
Tickets for Mean Girls are available here. 

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Cast and Crew:

Cady Heron - Sarah DuBard ’25

Regina George - Ceci Giebutowski ’25

Janis Ian - Jordan Felice ’25

Damian Hubbard - Andrew Ho ’25

Gretchen Weiners - Bridget Minogue ’25

Karen Smith - Ally Giebutowski ’25

Aaron Samuels - Xavier Massarotti ’25

Kevin G - Alex Ho ’27

Mrs. Heron - Char Kloman ’25

Mrs. George - Anya Carroll ’26

Ms. Norbury - Holly Minogue ’25

Mr. Heron - John Henry Lenzen ’26

Mr. Duvall - Henry Goldstein ’26       

 

Ensemble:

Esme Asaad ’26 (Teary Girl), Anya Carroll ’26, Kyra Coggin ’26 (Glenn Coco/Mathlete 2), Maylea Harris ’26 (Marymount Mathlete 1), Meron Hossaena ’28, Sindisiwe Khumalo ’25 (Tyler Kimble), Christopher Kim ’25 (Shane Oman), Isabelle Kim ’28, Char Kloman ’25 (Lizzie Therman), Maya Kloman ’28 (Dawn Schweitzer), Ella Kramer ’28 (Caitlyn Caussin), Gaiyatri Mathew ’27, Sara Vasquez Mejia ’28 (Sonja Acquino), Holly Minogue ’25, Patrick Minogue ’28 (Coach Carr), Mika Mustafayev ’27 (Mr. Buck/Martin J/Jason W.), Saniya O’Meally ’28 (Mathlete Competition Moderator), Madi Pugatch ’27 (Taylor Wedell), Isla Scott ’28 (Grace A), Sophie Senties ’28 (Caroline Kraft), Caroline Sorel ’27 (Madame Bouchard/Rachel Hamilton), Jojo Stein ’27 (Sophie K)

 

Featured Dancers: Maylea Harris ’26, Isabelle Kim ’28, Char Kloman ’25, Ella Kramer ’28, Saniya O’Meally ’28, Madi Pugatch ’27

 

Dance Captain: Madi Pugatch ’27

BRIDGE Liaisons: Esme Asaad ’26 and Henry Goldstein ’26

GSA Liaisons: Kyra Coggin ’26, Andrew Ho ’25, PJ Minogue ’28

 

Keys 1: John Bower 

Keys 2: Adalia Wen ’25

Drums: Gabe Manasseh ’26

Percussion: Gavin Bollar ’27

Oboe: Alicia Wen ’27

Trombone: Ben Schouten ’26

Bass Trombone: Sagine Cazimir ’26

Bass: Sahil Warsi 

Guitar 1: Mike Lecuyer 

Guitar 2: Robert Bekkers

Reed 1: Elana Lorance

Reed 2: Bradley Sampson

Trumpet: Ron Christianson

Director - Samantha Bower

Music Director - John Bower

Choreographer - Margaret McFadden

Student Choreographer - Sarah DuBard ‘25

Producer - Julia Auster-Hogan

Costume and Prop Designer - Cathy Favreau

Assistant Costume Designer - Charlotte Kloman ‘25

Intimacy Coach - Sarah Hubert

Stage Manager - Nicole Marandett ‘25

Set Design - Peter Calao, Wooden Kiwi Productions

Strike Supervisor - Derek Epstein

Light Design - Chris Fournier

Light Board Operator - Elise Kravitz ‘28

Sound Board Operator - Mark Deluzio, Andrew Woods, Mockingbird Sound

Faculty Tech Advisor - Ben Leeming

Tech Crew Head - Laurence Davids ‘27

Tech Crew - Lola Boudreau ‘26, Vivian Dykema ‘26, Sophia Gao ‘28, Eden Hossaena ‘28, Noelle Lee ‘26, Myzelle McCleary ‘28, Braxton Seale ‘27, Lily Shah ‘25, Ayla Torres ‘25, Kyle Wang ‘28

Costume Crew - Leah Jin ‘25, Cailyn Kim ‘25, Katherine Shaw ‘26, Mulan Zhang ‘25