Theater Review: 'Mean Girls High School Version' at Amity High School

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

All photos by Sydney Sheehan Photography

Amity Creative Theater at Amity Regional High School is performing a “fetch” production of “Mean Girls High School Version” on the stage of the Woodbridge campus through April 13.

The musical, based on the Paramount Pictures film of the same name, has a book by Tina Fey and music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. While this is the high school version of show, much of the meaner aspects remain, with some foul language, skimpy outfits and sexual innuendo that may require some explaining for young audience members. I was hard-pressed to remember what aspects had been cut from the full-length version that I saw on tour.

Robert and Andrea Kennedy directed the talented student in the cast and crew with Marcia Rizzotti as musical director and Mrs. Kennedy in charge of the exciting choreography. In his director’s message, Mr. Kennedy invites the sold out audiences to join his students on “this fantastic journey into the world of high school drama, friendship, and self-discovery.” He also expresses his heartfelt appreciation to the extremely dedicated parent volunteers, the cast and crew, and the school administrators.

Philip Dolan is in his usual spot as the orchestra director, conducting the group of 19 talented Amity musicians that make the musical score sound amazing. Senior Jack Morriso on trombone and senior Grace Zhang on reed 1 are orchestra captains.

The 30 ensemble members are kept very busy, playing the stereotypical roles of jocks, band geeks, show choir, stoners, skaters, punks, teachers, shoppers and high school students. They make strong appearances in “”Where Do You Belong,” the “Sexy” Halloween party, “Revenge Party,” “Whose House Is This,” “I See Stars” and with tap dancing (coached by Nick Shamp) in “Stop.” Amity junior Grace Saunders steps up to play Rachel Hamilton. I enjoy the tour of the cafeteria with moving tables and plastic trays becoming part of the choreography.

Senior Grace Kennedy from Bethany sings mightily in the role of Janis Sarkisian in her final role at Amity. I enjoyed seeing Miss Kennedy as Mrs. Potts in 2023 and Perkins in “The Play That Goes Wrong” in 2022. I will miss seeing her perform on this stage.

The hysterically-drawn gay student Damian Hubbard is brought to life by senior Jacob Ebert in his final show at Amity. Ebert was nominated for a Best Actor Sondheim Award nomination for his role as Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast.” Senior Gavin Sassenger does well as Principal Duvall in his first musical.

Senior Ben Aviad plays well the role of Aaron Samuels, Cady’s love interest. Aviad is president of the class of 2024 and makes an impressive high school stage debut. Senior Sheng Russell-Tang pulls off the role of Kevin Gnapoor (trying out theater for the first time,) sophomore Ethan Enos plays both Mr. Buck and Tyler K., sophomore Jack Destival is Coach Carr in his first ACT performance, Sophomore Liam van Tonder is Jason W., freshman Tommy Francese is Shane O., senior Anthony Stankye of Orange is Glenn Coco, sophomore Brayden Zhang is Martin J and Ian Rosenay, a senior from Orange, covers Mr. Heron and Christian in his final Amity show. Kudos to all of the boys that stepped up to join all of the “mean girls” in this large cast.

The talented Lily Parady, a senior, makes her mark in the roles of teacher Ms. Norbury and the “cool mom,” Mrs. George. Senior Savannah Gallagher gets to play Taylor Wedell, sophomore Claire DeRosa (“Glitz” in 2018) is Caitlyn Caussin in her first ACT production, junior Zoe Benton-Browning is Dawn Schweitzer and junior Ava Copeland plays Lizzie Therman. Amity senior Daisy Kusnitz is seen as Sonja A. and senior Catherine “CJ” Brinton from Bethany plays Cady’s mother.

Sophomore Haley Copeland plays a mean French teacher, Dance Captain Tori Pocwierz, a senior from Woodrbridge, is Sophie K., junior Gabi Restrepo is Caroline Kraftt, sophomore Milki Ejara plays a Tearful Girl, and sophomore Leyre Lopez Perez is Grace A.

Senior Ellen Ko from Orange makes a great math moderator. Ko is the editor for the Amity Trident who has a strong passion for journalism and writes that her “favorite part of ACT is the supportive environment and the friends she’s made within the program.” Freshman David Tobin of Bethany, freshman Ethan Nitkowski and Anthony Stankye play the Marymount Mathletes.

Anna Edwards, a sophomore from Woodbridge, plays the new girl in town Cady Heron and does extremely well with the arc of her character.

Senior Kasey Smith slays the role of Regina George, the “Apex Predator,” in her final Amity performance. Smith takes on her all-time dream role, after playing Babette in “Beauty and the Beast.” We get to “Meet The Plastics,” played by freshman Grace Millard as Gretchen Wieners and Kayleigh Fitzpatrick as the dim, "Sexy,” and very funny Karen Smith. I saw Millard as the lead in “Moana, Jr.” and Miss Honey in “Matilda, Jr.” at Amity Middle School Bethany under the music direction of Dr. Keith Smolinski. Fitzpatrick, a senior from Orange, frequently performs at Center Stage Theatre in Shelton.

Sound design by Tom “Ivan” Ivanovich with Horizon Sound. I felt that large chunks of the vocals were far too loud on opening night and I had trouble understanding many of the lyrics. As always, Dan Hassenmayer is in charge of the impressive lighting design. The sleek scenic design by Ryan M. Howell can change to suggest the various settings and the costumes designed by the dream team of Julie Chevan and Brenda Burt never miss. Mrs. Kennedy oversees the wig and makeup design and Katie Copeland designed the props, which include a copier. Mr. Kennedy oversees everything as producer and technical director because he can.

“Mean Girls” is performed with one 15-minute intermission and runs almost three hours. The show is sold out for all performances. However, a limited number of tickets may become available. Email boxoffice@amitycreativetheater.org for more info.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

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