REVIEW: MEAN GIRLS—La Mirada Theatre & McCoy Rigby Entertainment

APR 10-MAY 3—LA MIRADA THEATRE

There’s something deliciously ironic about watching a musical about high school social warfare inside the plush, well-behaved confines of a regional theatre audience. Yet the regional premiere of MEAN GIRLS at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts—presented by McCoy Rigby Entertainment—leans into that irony with a wink, a strut, and just enough bite to remind us that the Plastics never really graduate… they just get better lighting.

Adapted from the razor-sharp 2004 film “Mean Girls,” the musical retains the whip-smart book by Tina Fey, paired with a buoyant, pop-infused score by Jeff Richmond and lyrically acrobatic contributions from Nell Benjamin. The result is a show that could easily curdle into saccharine teen fluff—but here, under assured direction and a sharply tuned ensemble, it lands as something far more satisfying: a glossy confection with a surprisingly chewy center.

Katie Roche, Sarah-Anne Martinez, Adrianna Rose Lyons and Grace Fluharty star with the company in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “Mean Girls,” directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

From the moment the lights go up, the production announces its intentions with visual clarity and comic confidence. The scenic design—sleek, modular, and TikTok-speed efficient—allows scenes to snap in and out like social media posts, keeping the pacing brisk without sacrificing narrative coherence. It’s a world of neon hallways and hyper-real cafeterias, where status is currency and lighting cues feel like emotional punctuation.

At the center of it all is Cady Heron (Katie Roche, who, inverting a trope, recently played Elsa in “Frozen”), our wide-eyed anthropological guide to the American high school jungle. Ms. Roche inhabits Cady completely, charting her transformation with precision, avoiding the trap of making her either too naïve or too calculating. Instead, she threads the needle, giving us a protagonist whose moral drift feels both believable and unsettling. Her vocals—clear, agile, and emotionally grounded—anchor the show’s more introspective moments, particularly in “Stupid with Love,” which here lands as less of a novelty number and more of a character thesis.

Gavin Leahy, Katie Roche and McKenna Michael (center) star with the company of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “Mean Girls,” directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Of course, MEAN GIRLS lives or dies by its Plastics, and this trio does not disappoint. Regina George, the apex predator of North Shore High, is played with a delicious blend of charisma and calculated cruelty by Adrianna Rose Lyons (Nat’l Tour: “Million Dollar Quartet”). She’s not just mean; she’s strategic, a queen bee who understands the mechanics of power. Her performance in “World Burn” is an intoxicative highlight—vocally explosive and theatrically precise; it’s the kind of number that makes you sit up a little straighter in your seat, as if you too might be implicated in the chaos.

The desperate Gretchen Wieners (Sarah-Anne Martinez; “Deceived”), and the winning but bubbleheaded Karen Smith (Grace Fluharty; “Carrie: The Musical”), meanwhile, provide the comedic counterbalance, and the actresses lean fully into their respective archetypes without flattening them. Ms. Martinez’ anxious loyalty as Gretchen becomes almost tragicomic, her vocal delivery peppered with frantic energy that underscores her desperation to belong. Ms. Fluharty’s Karen, often the easiest character to reduce to a punchline, is given just enough nuance to make her absurdity feel oddly endearing. Her big number, “Sexy,” is staged with tongue planted firmly in cheek, eliciting some of the night’s biggest laughs.

Adrianna Rose Lyons (standing back center) with Grace Fluharty, Katie Roche and Sarah-Anne Martinez (center) star with the company of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “Mean Girls,” directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

What elevates this production significantly, however, is its supporting cast, which moves with a kind of choreographed academia, embodying the shifting alliances and micro-dramas of high school life in "social-emotional" realistic fashion. The choreography is crisp and contemporary, blending musical theatre tradition with gestures that feel pulled from the digital age—selfies, scrolls, and subtle nods to influencer culture. It’s a smart update that never feels forced, instead enhancing the story’s themes of image and perception.

Noteworthy supporting characters include Janis Sarkisian (McKenna Michael), Cady's artistic, rebellious friend who guides her socially, while her inseparable best friend, Damian (played vividly by Gavin Leahy), known for being "too gay to function," steals the show multiple times. There's the most popular guy at North Shore High School—Aaron Samuels (Eric Myrick), Cady's crush and Regina's ex-boyfriend; Kevin Gnapoor (Shailen Patel Braun), the Mathletes captain who provides some seriously enthusiastic rapping as Kevin G the MC; Ms Norbury, the Calculus teacher (Gwen Hollander), who is a self-proclaimed "pusher" and seeks to bring out the best in her students. Ms. Hollander also plays both Cady's and Regina's cool mom; and, of course, the animated school principal, Mr. Duvall (Daryl C. Brown). Mr. Duvall was played by Tim Meadows in the movie, which should give you a big idea of how funny this character is.

Gavin Leahy (center) stars with the company of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “Mean Girls,” directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Musically, the score walks a fine line between parody and sincerity, and this production understands that balance. Numbers like “Apex Predator” and “Revenge Party” are delivered with high energy and tight harmonies, while quieter moments are given room to breathe. The orchestra, tucked neatly into the pit, and directed with flair and finesse by Anthony Zediker, delivers a polished sound that supports without overwhelming, allowing the lyrics—often dense with jokes and cultural references—to land cleanly.

And those lyrics do land. Nell Benjamin’s work here is particularly sharp, peppering the script with clever internal rhymes and sly commentary. There’s a self-awareness to the humor that keeps it from feeling dated, even as it references the ever-evolving landscape of teen culture. The show knows it’s a bit ridiculous—and invites the audience to laugh along with it.

Eric Myrick and Katie Roche star in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “Mean Girls,” directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

If there’s a minor quibble or two, the first is in the second act which occasionally loses a bit of the first act’s momentum. The narrative, having established its stakes, sometimes rushes through emotional beats which momentarily disrupt the otherwise smooth pacing. Other than that, I was also surprised to see the back projections of singers without a dedicated digital signal processor and out of sequence with their mouth movements due to the one to two second delay to process on the sound board.

Still, these are small notes in an otherwise exceptionally well-crafted production. What makes this MEAN GIRLS particularly enjoyable is its ability to balance spectacle with substance. Beneath the glitter and gloss lies a story about identity, empathy, and the cost of conformity—ideas that resonate well beyond the high school setting.

Adrianna Rose Lyons (center) stars with the company of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “Mean Girls,” directed and choreographed by Dana Solimando and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

There’s also an undeniable sense of fun permeating the evening. The audience laughter is frequent and genuine, the kind that builds communal energy. It’s the theatrical equivalent of passing notes in class—slightly mischievous, wholly engaging, and impossible to resist.

By the time the curtain call arrives, complete with a high-energy reprise that feels more like a concert than a bow, it’s clear that this production has achieved something special. It honors the source material while carving out its own identity, proving that even a story so deeply embedded in pop culture can feel fresh in the right hands.

HERE'S MY TAKE: In a theatrical landscape that often oscillates between the overly earnest and the aggressively ironic, this MEAN GIRLS finds its sweet spot. It’s smart without being smug, funny without being frivolous, and polished without losing its edge. Or, to put it in the show’s own vernacular: it’s so "fetch" it almost hurts.

LA MIRADA THEATRE PRESENTS, MEAN GIRLS. Book by TINA FEY; Music by JEFF RICHMOND; Lyrics by NELL BENJAMIN; Based on the Paramount Pictures film “Mean Girls;” Musical Direction by ANTHONY ZEDIKER; Direction and Choreography by DANA SOLIMANDO; Scenic Design by STEPHEN GIFFORD; Lighting Design by STEVEN YOUNG; Sound Design by JOSH BESSOM; Projections Design by DAVID MURAKAMI; Costume Coordinator is ADAM RAMIREZ; Hair/Wig Design by KAITLIN YAGEN; Properties Design by KEVIN WILLIAMS; Production Stage Manager is TALIA KRISPEL.

The cast includes KATIE ROCHE as “Cady Heron;” ADRIANNA ROSE LYONS as “Regina George;” SARAH-ANNE MARTINEZ as “Gretchen Wieners;” GRACE FLUHARTY as “Karen Smith;” MCKENNA MICHAEL as “Janis Sarkisian;” GAVIN LEAHY as “Damian Hubbard;” ERIC MYRICK as “Aaron Samuels;” SHAILEN PATEL BRAUN as “Kevin Gnapoor;” DARYL C. BROWN as “Mr. Hubbard;” DANIEL DAWSON as “Coach Carr;” and GWEN HOLLANDER as “Mrs. Heron/Ms. Norbury/Mrs. George.” The Ensemble features SABRINA ASTENGO, ALYSSA ANNE AUSTIN, EUGENE BOYD, AUGUSTO GUARDADO, BRANDON HALVORSEN, EMMY J. LANE, JENNA LUCK, KETURAH MCINTYRE, CAROLINE MOULIOS, BARBARA ANN REED, ERIC RENNA and CLAYTON MICHAEL WALKER. The Swings are KEVIN CORTE and BAILEY RENEE MILLER.

MEAN GIRLS had an official Press Opening on April 11th at 8 pm, and will continue their run through Sunday, May 3, 2026 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 2 pm & 8 pm; and Sundays at 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.

CHRIS DANIELS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWER

THE SHOW REPORT

PHOTO CREDITS: Jason Niedle

4.5/5