Tina Fey Talks About Opening ‘Mean Girls: The Musical’ In A #MeToo Movement Environment

Celebrated comedy writer Tina Fey and her husband, Jeff Richmond, just transitioned popular film Mean Girls to the Broadway stage.

'Mean Girls' In A #MeToo World

While it has been 14 years since Fey introduced the world to the Plastics and the word "fetch," Saturday Night Live's first female head writer believes that it is the perfect time to bring the film's message to a new generation. Fey hoped that the film's core message of kindness would spread to the audiences who see the show.

Also, the 30 Rock star and creator revealed to Variety that the film's message regarding how the Plastics' toxic acts of relational aggression toward the North Shore High School students and staff of the high school through its Burn Book have spread across the country and even spread to people's online life.

Musical vs. Film

One of the significant components today that was not featured in the 2004 movie has found its way into the musical. Richmond told Variety that while they did mention social media in the production, audiences would find out that the show did not rely too heavily on it.

BuzzFeed also reported that there were several significant differences between the movie and the Broadway musical. The movie's infamous winter talent show, where the Plastics and Cady (Erika Henningsen) perform in Santa Claus dresses, and the cafeteria cliques are a part of the production.

However, there are also more topical references that have been sprinkled into the musical, including when the show's villainess, Regina George (Taylor Louderman), casually mentioned that President Donald Trump blocked her on Twitter. Also, Ms. Norbury (Kerry Butler) brought up the sexual misconduct allegations and gun control in one of her monologues.

What Did The Critics Say?

When Mean Girls: The Musical opened on April 8, numerous media outlets had access to early screenings. The New Yorker's Michael Schulman praised Fey for the innate ability to bring her classic 2004 film to the Great White Way. He also suggested that she could be an amalgam of both Cady and Regina George. Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly gave the show a B+ and was very impressed with the show's visualization.

Tina Fey's Recent Activities

In the months leading up to Mean Girls the Musical, Fey has been very active in the entertainment community. She watched as music legend Clive Davis honored Jay-Z at his iconic pre-Grammy Awards celebration. Fey was also named as one of the six personalities that celebrated late-night veteran David Letterman would interview for his new Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.

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Tina Fey, Mean Girls The Musical