Tyler Blaylock – Review of Delsea Regional High School ‘Mean Girls’

“Where Do You Belong?” You belong at Delsea Regional High School’s production of Mean Girls. From the singing to the scenery, everything was fetch.

As many people know, Mean Girls is a stage adaptation of the timeless and iconic movie written by Tina Fey. The musical was put on Broadway in 2018, winning one Drama Desk Award and one Outer Critic Award. The story follows Cady Heron, who recently moved from Kenya, as she learns the trials and tribulations of an American high school. Cady learns themes such as female empowerment, comradery, and self-determination as she battles the hierarchy of North Shore High School.

Delsea Regional High School put on an exhilarating showing of Mean Girls. The cast was anchored by strong personalities and had an ample amount of talent to show on stage. However, the tech aspects were just as fantastic with effortless transitions and imaginative ways to display the setting of each scene.

Cady Heron, played by Jordyn Rosenberg, was like a burst of energy leading the show. Her tone was beautiful, and she portrayed the new girl in town’s persona exceptionally well. Her new friends, Janis and Damian, kept up with Cady’s vocal acrobatics throughout the entire show. Janis, played by Julia Dennis, encapsulated the rebellious and witty personality of her character to a tee. Her spunkiness in “I’d Rather Be Me” was vital to making the song an anthem for the outcasts in their school.

Damian, played by William Smashey, was hilarious in his role. Even if he wasn’t the focus of a scene, he was nailing the over-the-top mannerisms. Damian truly was too gay to function. The three were stellar in “Revenge Party” and exhibited amazing chemistry. The queen bee of the school, Regina, was played by Leila Parker. She exuded mean girl energy from the jump and carried the bratty energy all the way through. There was never a moment where Regina wasn’t in full control of a scene. She commanded the stage the entire time especially during “World Burn” with her vengeful attitude.

Regina’s minions, Gretchen and Karen, were played by Caleigh Ryan and Samantha Stalder respectively. Each of them did a fantastic job and complimented the plastics wonderfully. A clear standout was Jordyn Blacknall in the role of Mrs. George. Her dancing and chanting during the Christmas talent show was one of the most hilarious points of the show. Principal Duvall, played by Nico Mazzarelli, had some humorous points throughout the show as well. Blacknall and Mazzarelli were not only fixating during their characters’ scenes but were always extremely enthusiastic in the ensemble dances.

The technical aspects of this production were truly show-stopping. Throughout the show, the stage featured an eye-catching glitzy curtain, and the stage was engulfed with hues of pink. The backdrop was created using a slideshow presentation that switched between many different settings, and the transitions from scene to scene flowed phenomenally.

With the astounding execution of the iconic lines and songs, Delsea Regional High School’s production of Mean Girls was an overwhelming success. The inspiring message of girls needing to support one another was a heartwarming touch to the already stunning performance.