So fetch — 'Mean Girls' takes over Benedum Center

It’s been 15 years since writer and comedian Tina Fey’s heartfelt and funny movie “Mean Girls” first shined a light on the mistreatment of teenage girls by their peers.

The success of her Broadway musical of the same name, with music by her composer husband Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, followed in 2018, leading to its first national tour.

The tour launched last month in Buffalo, N.Y., and comes to Pittsburgh Oct. 29-Nov. 3 for eight performances at the Benedum Center as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series.

Message of the musical

Speaking in Philadelphia this summer to promote the upcoming tour, Fey, who is from Upper Darby in Delaware County, said the message of the musical is “to not be afraid to be yourself and be different — also to not try to lift yourself up by tearing someone else down, because it’s a pointless endeavor.”

Jonalyn Saxer — who plays Karen Smith, a member of her school’s most popular clique, The Plastics, in the national touring production – said audiences can relate to Fey’s message of hope.

“If you’ve been to high school or have a kid in high school, you’re gonna get it. We have every student you ever met in our ensemble. It’s a very universal story with the best message at the end,” she said in a phone interview from Des Moines, Iowa, a tour stop before Columbus, Ohio, followed by Pittsburgh.

Saxer of Los Angeles, Calif., was in the original ensemble of Broadway’s “Mean Girls,” where she understudied the roles of several cast members before auditioning for her current part.

When she decided to try out for the national tour, she was in the process of leaving the Broadway show to perform as a dancer in Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story,” due out in 2020.

“My audition for the ‘Mean Girls’ tour was performing the role on Broadway,” said Saxer, who earned her BFA in musical theater from Syracuse University and was focused on a dance career before the “Mean Girls” opportunities evolved.

Her stage credits also include “Cats,” “Holiday Inn,” “Honeymoon in Vegas” and “Bullets Over Broadway.” She performed in Pittsburgh CLO productions of “42nd Street,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and “Phantom” during the 2013 season.

Involved in every process

Saxer said both Fey and Richmond are very involved in every process with the “Mean Girls” tour, making script changes and updating material when they feel it’s needed.

“They were in Buffalo, getting to know the cast. We jokingly call them mom and dad. This show is their baby, too,” she said.

While the important message of “Mean Girls” hasn’t changed, Saxer said references to certain language and jokes in the stage production are occasionally updated to keep it current. As an example, she said references to “three-way calling” between the girls in the movie were replaced by social media, which wasn’t a part of everyday life in 2004 when the movie was made.

“We all have cell phones now and we text each other, which is easily relatable,” she said. “We’re constantly listening to the audience and gauging their reactions to what gets laughs. Each city is different; it keeps the show a live thing.”

The actors also perform in front of LED digital screens that serve as a colorful backdrop.

The touring cast also features Mariah Rose Faith as Regina George, Megan Masako Haley (Gretchen Wieners), Mary Kate Morrissey (Janis Sarkisian), Danielle Wade (Cady Heron), Eric Huffman (Damian Hubbard), Gaelen Gilliland (Mrs. Heron/Ms. Norbury/Mrs. George), Adante Carter (Aaron Samuels), Kabir Bery (Kevin Gnapoor) and Lawrence E. Street (Mr. Duvall).