Vail Performing Arts Academy’s ‘Mean Girls, Jr.’ musical hits the stage
This high school drama delivers laughter and life lessons
Vail Performing Arts Academy/Courtesy photo
With the school year just around the corner, audiences will be brought back to high school a bit earlier this weekend with the production of “Mean Girls, Jr.” The Vail Performing Arts Academy has been putting the finishing touches on this popular movie and Broadway musical that teaches valuable lessons about friendship, accountability and authenticity.
“Mean Girls, Jr.” is a condensed and age-appropriate version of the popular 2004 film by Saturday Night Live star, comedian, author and producer Tina Fey. It follows the story of Cady, who spent most of her life being home schooled in Africa by her zoologist parents. She goes from the literal jungle to the figurative jungle as she tries to navigate high school at 16 years old when her family returns from Africa to the United States.
The Vail Performing Arts Academy brings the story to life with 60 local kids ages 8 to 17 who have been practicing five days a week since July 8. From learning the songs to perfecting the choreography, adding costumes, backdrops and props, the stage is set for the performances on Saturday and Sunday at the Battle Mountain High School Auditorium.
The audience will follow along as Cady meets new friends and learns the social rules of school and how to manage cliques, including a group of three beautiful and popular girls, Regina, Gretchen and Karen, who are called “The Plastics.” Which clique does Cady end up belonging to? Only time will tell in this performance.
“The Vail Performing Arts Academy is set to dazzle audiences once again with its summer musical production of ‘Mean Girls, Jr.’ This hilariously entertaining show promises not only a night of laughter but also valuable lessons we all can learn from,” said Annah Scully, founder and executive producer of the Vail Performing Arts Academy.
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Scully has a talented team of professionals who offer top-notch performing arts instruction and performance opportunities to local students. The staff includes music director Hannah Belle Terrell, costumer Val Watts, director assistant Annika Shikverg and artistic director Colin Meiring.
“‘Mean Girls, Jr.’ is a hilarious and ‘totally fetch’ show with some very important lessons about friendship, authenticity and accountability. Throughout the musical, we watch characters journey from changing parts of themselves in order to belong, to living as the unique and brave shining stars that they are,” Meiring said.
“We have two showings on Saturday and two on Sunday and each night we will feature different lead characters, as these roles have been double-cast to, as Colin would say, spread the love, so more students can be in the spotlight,” Scully said.
“This theme resonates strongly with Vail Performing Arts Academy’s mission to empower young performers. By taking on roles that challenge them to reflect on their own experiences, the students gain invaluable insights into their personal growth and the value of authenticity,” Meiring said.
“Mean Girls, Jr.” is rated PG and tickets are priced at $10 for cash or check payments and $13 for credit card payments. Shows will be at Battle Mountain High School, June 27 and 28 at 4 and 6:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets can be ordered in advance and more information can be found at VPAA.org or by emailing annah@vpaa.org.
