Mean Girls

Short North Stage is bringing Mean Girls to the Garden Theater mainstage in Columbus, with the production running from May 13 through June 13, 2027. It's the musical adaptation of Tina Fey's 2004 film, and Fey wrote the book herself, so the dialogue and the tone stay true to the original. The music is by Jeff Richmond and the lyrics are by Nell Benjamin, and Dionysia Williams Velazco is directing and choreographing.

If you're familiar with the movie, you know the story: Cady Heron is a naive newcomer to suburban Illinois who has to figure out the wild, vicious ways of high school. Much of that involves navigating The Plastics, the trio of lionized frenemies led by the ruthless Regina George. The musical version became a global sensation and earned 12 Tony Award nominations, including Best Book and Best Musical. The creative team brings some recognizable names to the table—Tina Fey is known for 30 Rock, Nell Benjamin wrote the lyrics for Legally Blonde, and Jeff Richmond did the music for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

On the practical side, the show runs 2 hours and 30 minutes and is rated PG-13. Short North Stage is providing audio description and ASL interpretation on select Saturday matinees, and there are limited student rush and Pay What You Want tickets available at the door. The Garden Theater is at 1187 North High Street in Columbus, and the run goes from May 13 to June 13, 2027.