Get in Loser, We're Going to the Theater

Contributed

Don't put the Erie Playhouse in your burn book; they're just getting started in 2026 with their version of the hit musical based on Tina Fey's cult classic, Mean Girls. Join the Plastics (Tobeigh Ingram, Maddie Penpek, and Gina Ghamo), pictured here in rehearsals along with the rest of the cast in February.

BEGINNING FRIDAY, JAN. 30

Cady Heron thought she'd seen it all, growing up in the African savanna, but nothing could have prepared her for the cliques and chaos of an American high school. Join Heron as she navigates the social status quo and infiltrates "The Plastics" and their leader, Regina George, in the Erie Playhouse's mainstage production of Mean Girls.

An instant classic and true representation of teenage life in the 2000s, Tina Fey's Mean Girls was a major box office success starring Lindsay Lohan, grossing $130 million worldwide. In 2017, a musical adaptation of the highly-quotable story hit the stage with music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, later entering the Broadway scene in 2018.

Scenic Shop Manager and Director Brendan Daugherty (40 Under 40 Class of 2024) has been involved with the Erie Playhouse for 12 years, designing sets for countless productions. Mean Girls will mark his third directing credit, following Freaky Friday in 2019 and The Shawshank Redemption in 2024.

He expressed excitement at the opportunity to bring this widely-loved show to the Erie community: "I grew up with the movie and also thought the musical seemed like a lot of fun. It's got great music and dance numbers, funny lines, and a lot of different moving pieces."

This show has several cast members making their debut, including Rebekah East (Ms. Heron/Mrs. George), Giovanni Natalie (Aaron Samuels), Bryson Berkowitz, Silas Fromyer, Josh Herrera, Alison Jones, Aaron Maracci, Karla Merritt, and Madison Wager – all ensemble.

"They are a very talented group of people and it's been a pleasure to work with them." Daugherty remarked.

Featuring iconic songs like "Meet the Plastics," "World Burn," and "Someone Gets Hurt," this show is certain to keep the crowd entertained. Due to some adult content and language, Mean Girls may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 30 through Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. // Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. // Erie Playhouse, 13 West 10 St. // $20-30 // For tickets and info: erieplayhouse.org