By Jody Tuso-Key: Managing Editor

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I went into City Springs Theatre Company’s Mean Girls: The Musical expecting a fun nostalgia trip, and instead got personally victimized… by how catchy every single song is. I haven’t known peace since. My brain is now a 24/7 loop of high notes, savage one-liners, and creative choreography. 

City Springs Theatre Company’s cast and crew somehow take all the iconic moments we love and cranks them up to eleven—with glitter, harmonies, and just enough chaos to make you feel like you’ve been enrolled at North Shore High against your will. The Plastics? Terrifying. Talented. Probably running a side hustle as vocal powerhouses. Cady’s journey? Relatable, if you’ve ever made one questionable decision and immediately watched your life spiral into a full musical number. This show really says “oh you liked the original movie? cool, we’re gonna make it louder, shinier, and somehow even more chaotic” and it WORKS.

Also, can we talk about the humor? It’s so sharp it could cut through Regina George’s aura of intimidation. I laughed. I gasped. I considered wearing pink on Wednesdays out of respect (I did wear pink to the show to honor and hopefully acquire some of Tina Fey’s genius for writing). So get in losers, we’re going to break down each character and the fabulous stars who play the roles: 

Regina George – Landry Champlin channels Regina–a natural-born leader with the confidence of someone who has never once second-guessed a decision—and honestly, good for her. Regina doesn’t just enter a room, she rebrands it. Is she intimidating? Sure. But she’s also efficient, organized, and deeply committed to maintaining high standards in both fashion, social hierarchy, and singing with a sultry and strong voice. A visionary, really.

Gretchen Wieners-Ruth Mehari is the human embodiment of “I have something to say and I will say it immediately.” Gretchen is loyal to a fault, which means if you’re in her circle, you’ve got a full-time hype woman and part-time investigative journalist. Yes, she may spiral, but she spirals with passion and crystal clear voice. Also, let’s not ignore her dedication to trends—she’s basically a walking early-warning system for what’s about to be FETCH (Yes Gretchen, “fetch” absolutely has happened).

Karen Smith – Ella Benward is one of my personal favorites and proof that intelligence comes in many forms, and hers is… beautifully unpredictable. Karen lives life in a way most of us are too afraid to: confidently wrong, yet completely at peace. She brings chaos, yes, but also pure joy. There’s a kind of genius in not overthinking anything, and Karen has mastered it. Also, her ability to say exactly what everyone else is thinking (but would never admit) is honestly a gift. 

Cady Heron – Adagia Rueda Wow! What a voice and overall stage presence. Cady is a well-meaning observer turned accidental chaos agent. She starts off just trying to understand the ecosystem, and next thing you know she’s fully immersed, making bold choices and learning life lessons the dramatic way. She’s adaptable, resilient, and proof that sometimes you have to completely lose your mind a little to figure yourself out. Growth, but make it theatrical.

Janis Sarkisian – Terica Marie gets my vote for best actress in a musical. She’s an artistic visionary with a strong personal brand and absolutely zero interest in diluting it for anyone. Janis walks into a room like she already knows the soundtrack, and spoiler: it’s better than yours. She’s creative, unapologetic, and runs on a powerful mix of intuition and “I called it.” Yes, she may orchestrate a little chaos here and there, but it’s always with purpose—and honestly, her commitment to the role is admirable. She’s a narrator, a critic, and a one-woman commentary track.

Damian Hubbard – Cole Fletcher is an amalgam of all the gay kids I’ve adopted through the years (Mom hugs are always given). He is a walking burst of joy with the emotional range of a full Broadway finale. Damian is the kind of friend who will hype you up, call you out, and steal the spotlight—all in the same breath. He’s expressive, loyal, and has zero fear of being exactly who he is at maximum volume. Whether he’s narrating, reacting, or fully performing when nobody asked but everyone needed–what a fun and unapologetic dance break! Damian brings heart, humor, and just the right amount of dramatic excellence to every situation.

Ms. Heron/Ms. Norbury/Ms. George – Autumn Guzzardi takes on the ultimate and quintessential triple duty. I had to do a double-take as she is a dead ringer for Tina Fey as Ms. Norbury and navigates quick changes and personality shifts on a dime and with precision. One actress, three wildly different women, and approximately zero time to change costumes and  wigs (carefully crafted by Alycia Berry). From the well-meaning, slightly overwhelmed Ms. Heron (who thought raising a kid on the savanna would be the hard part), to Ms. Norbury (a calculus teacher with a heart of gold and the patience of a saint who’s definitely rethinking her career choices), to Mrs. George (the “cool mom” who treats parenting like a lifestyle brand), this triple-threat role is basically an Olympic sport in quick changes. She is the glue, the chaos, and the wine mom energy all rolled into one.

Aaron Samuels – Asher Thornton is perfectly cast as the human equivalent of a golden retriever who’s good at math. Aaron is sweet, sincere, and somehow completely unaware that his hair alone has launched at least three emotional crises. He’s the object of affection, confusion, and projection—often all at once. While the world of North Shore High spins wildly around him, Aaron remains charmingly grounded… and just trying to pass calculus without becoming the center of a social war.

Mr. Duvall – Wendell Scott plays the long-suffering principal who wakes up every morning hoping today will be the day nothing weird happens at school—and is disappointed by 8:15 a.m. Armed with an impressive musical theater resume, motivational speeches that spiral into oversharing, and a deep desire for order in a world that refuses to provide it, Mr. Duvall is both authority figure and accidental comic relief. He’s doing his best… it’s just that his best is constantly being tested by teenagers with Wi-Fi.

The Emsemble- is the icing on the cake. With several performers making their City Springs Theatre Company debuts sprinkled in with seasoned veterans, I hope to see these folks on stage again soon!

The technical elements of this show are so fetch they practically deserve their own Burn Book entry. Director Anthony C. Daniels clearly ran a tight ship, and the payoff is a production that moves with jaw-dropping precision. The set is one of the most polished and versatile in the Atlanta scene, effortlessly teleporting us from the African savanna to North Shore High, then on to the gym, the mall, and a parade of bedrooms faster than you can say “You can’t sit with us.” Seth Reiser’s lighting hits every cue with laser-sharp timing, spotlighting each moment like it’s the Plastics at lunchtime. Anthony Narisco’s sound design blends seamlessly with the orchestra under Sarah Chiesa—so smooth it feels like a full-on Circle of Trust. Amanda West’s costumes are equal parts clever and couture, complete with a blink-and-you-miss-it quick change that feels like actual magic. And El Patterson’s choreography doesn’t just keep up—it struts, flips, and snaps its way through the chaos, turning every number into a high-energy showcase for this wildly talented ensemble.

Final verdict: 10/10 get ready to be emotionally manipulated by a high school social hierarchy again. This is a Speakeysie HOT TICKET, so get yours before you can’t sit with them anymore. Bring friends, wear your best pink, and be open to the willingness to leave the theater dramatically changed (and slightly more judgmental of your own wardrobe choices). I absolutely let City Springs Theatre Company’s Mean Girls the Musical make me evaluate my internal monologue. I walked out entertained and seriously considering reorganizing my wardrobe just in case Wednesdays become important.