Still Trying to Make ‘Fetch’ Happen…: Parkersburg High School to present ‘Mean Girls’ musical adaptation
The Plastics show Cady their Burn Book in “Mean Girls: High School Version” at Parkersburg High School. Seated from left, Daphne Cockerham as Cady and Danica Sheppard as Regina with Keira McPeek, on the floor, as Karen. (Photo by River Deem)
Damian and Janis prepare to show new girl Cady the social order at North Shore High School by visiting the cafeteria. From left, Zach Gaston as Damian, Daphne Cockerham as Cady and Grace Miller as Janis with cast in the ensemble in the background during rehearsal of “Mean Girls: High School Version.” The show opens April 24 at Parkersburg High School. (Photo by River Deem)
The Plastics, Danica Sheppard as Regina, Daphne Cockerham as Cady and Keira McPeek as Karen in “Mean Girls: High School Version” at Parkersburg High School. The show opens April 24. (Photo by River Deem)
The Plastics, Danica Sheppard, Keira McPeek and Daphne Cockerham, perform at the holiday talent show. “Mean Girls: High School Version” by theater students at Parkersburg High School will open April 24. (Photo by River Deem)
AP Calculus teacher Ms. Norbury, played by Dorothy Clark, and Principal Duvall, played by Wyatt Jones, maintain order on the first day of school at North Shore High school. (Photo by River Deem)
Part of the cast performs “Where Do You Belong” in the North Shore High School cafeteria in “Mean Girls: High School Version” at Parkersburg High School. From left, Sophie Yoke, Allison Miller, Maddie Richards, Payton Johnson, Zach Gaston, Grace Miller, River Deem, Daphne Cockerham, Derek Roberts, Josiah Clark. In front: Hayden Carey. (Photo by River Deem)
The Plastics show Cady their Burn Book in “Mean Girls: High School Version” at Parkersburg High School. Seated from left, Daphne Cockerham as Cady and Danica Sheppard as Regina with Keira McPeek, on the floor, as Karen. (Photo by River Deem)
Damian and Janis prepare to show new girl Cady the social order at North Shore High School by visiting the cafeteria. From left, Zach Gaston as Damian, Daphne Cockerham as Cady and Grace Miller as Janis with cast in the ensemble in the background during rehearsal of “Mean Girls: High School Version.” The show opens April 24 at Parkersburg High School. (Photo by River Deem)
The Plastics, Danica Sheppard as Regina, Daphne Cockerham as Cady and Keira McPeek as Karen in “Mean Girls: High School Version” at Parkersburg High School. The show opens April 24. (Photo by River Deem)
The Plastics, Danica Sheppard, Keira McPeek and Daphne Cockerham, perform at the holiday talent show. “Mean Girls: High School Version” by theater students at Parkersburg High School will open April 24. (Photo by River Deem)
AP Calculus teacher Ms. Norbury, played by Dorothy Clark, and Principal Duvall, played by Wyatt Jones, maintain order on the first day of school at North Shore High school. (Photo by River Deem)
Part of the cast performs “Where Do You Belong” in the North Shore High School cafeteria in “Mean Girls: High School Version” at Parkersburg High School. From left, Sophie Yoke, Allison Miller, Maddie Richards, Payton Johnson, Zach Gaston, Grace Miller, River Deem, Daphne Cockerham, Derek Roberts, Josiah Clark. In front: Hayden Carey. (Photo by River Deem)
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PARKERSBURG -- A musical about a girl adapting to a new life in high school will be presented this month by the theater students at Parkersburg High School.
"Mean Girls: High School Version" is an adaptation of the book by Tina Fey with lyrics and music by Nell Benjamin and Jeff Richmond and is the story of Cady Heron whose parents move from Africa to America. The show was made into a movie then a musical which is currently on tour, Director Lori Zyla, a theater and forensics teacher at Parkersburg High, said.
Choosing the musical was an easy decision, she said.
"It's really part of the popular culture here with the students," Zyla said. "It was a natural."
Rated PG-13, the show opens at 7 p.m. April 24 with shows at 7 p.m. April 25 and 26 in the PHS auditorium. A matinee is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. April 27.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door by check or cash only.
The show explores the life of teenagers and their interaction with others and cliques and groups, Zyla said.
As Heron struggles to adapt to life in an American high school, she contends with two sets of friends, her buddies Damian and Janis, and the ultra clique known as The Plastics.
The story, narrated by Damian and Janis, is a cautionary tale for anyone who's navigating the world of high school and the musical explores how easy it is to become the "mean girl" and what it takes to overcome and rise above that temptation to create true friendships, Zyla said.
"It's a comedy, but it also has a really good message," she said.
Playing the role of Heron is Daphne Cockerham, a senior at PHS. She grew up watching the movie many times, "and this means so much to me," she said.
"I'm so excited to be in this show, especially since this is my last show at PHS," Cockerham said.
Heron the outsider changes as time goes on, Cockerham, who has appeared in shows at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg and the Mid-Ohio Valley Players, said.
"Eventually she becomes a mean girl herself," Cockerham said. "In all honesty, I had an easy time with the part."
"I think everyone in the show is kind of a mean girl," said Grace Miller, who plays the part of Janis Sarkisian.
"Mean Girls" shows how people have their problems and faults, according to Miller.
"And that's what makes them human beings," she said.
Grace Miller, also a senior, has performed in 24 shows in the last four years at the Actors Guild, the Mid-Ohio Valley Players and The Company on the Valley Gem in Marietta.
"I definitely crunched the last couple of years," she said.
The cast is:
* Cady Heron: Daphne Cockerham
* Regina George: Danica Sheppard
* Gretchen Weiners: Brittany Ward
* Karen Smith: Keira McPeek
* Damian Hubbard: Zach Gaston
* Janis Sarkisian: Grace Miller
* Aaron Samuels: Josiah Clark
* Ms. Norbury/Mrs. George/Mrs. Heron/ensemble: Dorothy Clark
* Mr. Duvall/Mr. Heron/ensemble: Wyatt Jones
* Kenzie G.: Elizabeth Wallen
* Ensemble: Derek Roberts, Payton Johnson, River Deem, Hayden Carey, Allison Miller, Maddie Richards, Sophie Yoke
Crew:
* Director: Lori Zyla
* Musical Director: Mike Lockney
* Choreographer: Cassie Cockerham
* Fight Choreography: Antigone Hall
* Stage Manager: Anna Floyd
* Technical Director: Lily Farinash
* Asst. Stage Manager: Addison Somich
* Sound crew: Hoda Rashed, Dominic Summers
* Light crew: Lily Farinash, Zoie Cottle, Karma Walsh
* Stage Crew: Lauren Smith, Jaxton Stoneking, Sam Bella Hendrickson, Sam Bailey, Emma Deem
* Publicity Design: River Deem
* Rehearsal Pianist: Whitny Gesell
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com