Paramount Theatre: Mean Girls
Julia Hope Budd, Dariana Mullen, and Angel Alzeidan
Paramount Theatre Presents MEAN GIRLS Review - A Full-Scale Hot Pink High School
TLDR: Bathed in hot pink, the world of Paramount’s production of Mean Girls invites us in and makes us feel like we’re at a Broadway production with the level of theatrical elements and talent. The show is a great fit for original fans of Mean Girls and those who love the musical already.
Steven Klenk, Elizabeth Stenholt, and Lucy Godinez
To Mean Girls, We Wear Pink
It’s opening night at the Paramount Theatre for Mean Girls and we wouldn’t expect anything less than everyone dressed to the nines in the color of the evening, pink. From suit jackets, to sparkly gowns, to the themed cocktails, everything here is on theme. And as we enter the theatre itself, the proscenium of the stage is covered in tons of emojis, icons, and XOs with a pink cheetah print tinsel curtain. And when that curtain goes up, the stage is also varying shades of pink transporting us to the halls of a Chicago suburb high school.
The musical version of Mean Girls still has the iconic moments and lines from the movie, but what makes going to see it more enticing are the added moments, songs, and scenes that give more to the story and the characters. And now that we’re in the age where everyone has a cellphone, all of the references have been updated (with the book still done by Tina Fey). Paramount’s production goes all out on the look and feel of Mean Girls and backed it up with all the bells and whistles of the theatrical elements that make this show feel like we’re at a Broadway level production.
There’s so much movement in the set designed by Milo Blue and deftly incorporated into the choreography by Kasey Alfonso. Staircases move in and out reaching up to the second story catwalk so our actors have full range of the stage. Plastic school chairs with attached desks are rolled in and out for classroom scenes leading to some very fun “chair-ography.” Other set pieces are also rolled in and out as we leave school grounds and transport us easily. It seems like the cast never stops moving to keep us smoothly integrated into their world.
Packed Full of Anthems and Zingers
With those added moments and motivations, we start with a high energy welcome from Lucy Godinez and Steven Klenk as Janis and Damian as they greet us, the incoming freshman class. They frame the story of Cady and The Plastics as a cautionary tale before we delve into our story. Here’s where the talented cast of Paramount’s production get to deliver those quippy one-liners by Fey and also show off their singing chops as it feels each character gets their own solo moment.
Klenk steals the show as Damian is meant to as the effervescent, bubbly gay friend. He belts “Where Do You Belong?” as the rest of the ensemble assembles at cafeteria tables into their friend groupings by jocks, burnouts, and art freaks. Godinez has more optimism than maybe we’re used to seeing with Janis, but she still rocks her own style and self especially with her rendition of “I’d Rather Be Me,” the quintessential self-love anthem.
Veronica Garza is back in the school halls after seeing her at the Putnam County Spelling Bee, and she’s doing what she does best - delivering peak comedy with a Yeti cup in her hand. She plays not one, not two, but three characters in Mean Girls and has developed hilarious personalities for each of them.
And of course Elizabeth Stenholt (also a Putnam alum), Dariana Mullen, Angel Alzeidan, and Julia Hope Budd as Cady and The Plastics are forces to be reckoned with. Mullen flanked by Alzeidan and Budd give off the aura that they truly are massive deals. And Stenholt never lets her charm and fall as she goes from homeschooled nerd, to shiny plastic, back to accepted nerd all with an impeccable voice that does not falter.
Mean Girls is absolutely stacked with talent that makes for an enjoyable night out.
The cast of Mean Girls
The After Party Thoughts
This was my first time seeing the staged musical after having seen both movie versions (the original and the movie based on the musical based on the movie) and I didn’t think I would be getting much more out of seeing it live on stage. Boy was I wrong. For those that are in the same boat or maybe were skeptical of seeing anything more the original movie, I would say definitely take this opportunity to see the stage musical. The story and everything you love about the movie are still there and now there’s obviously songs involved, but there’s also more depth added to the characters.
If you’re a fan of any of the movie versions or if you’re just a fan of the musical itself, Mean Girls is not to be missed!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Elizabeth Stenholt and Diego Vazquez Gomez
When
Now through October 11, 2026
Where
Paramount Theatre
23 E Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506
Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including intermission
Tickets
$34+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 630-896-6666 or through the Paramount Theatre website
Photos
Boris Martin
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Veronica Garza and Austin Nelson Jr.
CAST
Elizabeth Stenholt (Cady Heron)
Dariana Mullen (Regina George)
Angel Alzeidan (Gretchen Wieners)
Julia Hope Budd (Karen Smith)
Diego Vazquez Gomez (Aaron Samuels)
Lucy Godinez (Janis Sarkisian)
Steven Klenk (Damian Hubbard)
Ben Mathew (Kevin G)
Veronica Garza (Mrs. Heron / Ms. Norbury / Mrs. George)
Austin Nelson Jr. (Principal Duvall)
Tola Abitogun (Ensemble)
Jeremiah Alsop (Ensemble)
Matty Bettencourt (Ensemble)
Anna Louise Bramlett (Ensemble)
Nicole DiSandro (Ensemble)
Ben Dow (Ensemble)
Madison Jaffe-Richter (Ensemble)
Joshua Messmore (Ensemble)
Hannah Remian (Ensemble)
Nataki Rennie (Ensemble)
Morgan Schoenecker (Ensemble)
Jacob Simon (Ensemble)
Abby C. Smith (Ensemble)
Amanda Walker (Ensemble)
Elaine Watson (Ensemble)
Dariana Mullen
CREATIVE
Tina Fey (Book)
Jeff Richmond (Music)
Nell Benjamin (Lyrics)
Devon Hayakawa (Director)
Kasey Alfonso (Choreographer)
Kory Danielson (Music Director / Conductor)
Milo Bue (Set Designer)
Kotryna Hilko (Costume Designer)
Greg Hofmann (Lighting Designer)
Adam Rosenthal (Sound Designer)
Erin Pleake (Video Designer)
Katie Cordts (Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer)
Aimee Plant (Properties Designer)
Ethan Deppe (Electronic Music Designer)
Bailey O’Neil (Associate Director)
Andy Chen (Associate Music Director / Associate Conductor)
Chloe Hamilton (Associate Choreographer)
Max Fabian (Intimacy & Fight Director)
Sean McNeely (Orchestra Contractor)
Amber R. Dettmers (Stage Manager)
Bridget Kearbey (Assistant Stage Manager)
Lanita VanderSchaaf (Assistant Stage Manager)