Hit musical ‘Mean Girls’ brings enduring classic to life at Paramount Theatre

Perhaps it's typecasting for Alexys Morera. The emerging actress plays Janis Sarkisian in the touring production of the musical "Mean Girls," which is slated for Wednesday, March 12 at the Paramount Theatre.

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Much like the "Mean Girls" character, Morera was the witty, artistic punk rocker while coming of age in Central Florida. "I was Janis growing up," Morera said while calling from Charlotte. "I was the girl wearing the rock t-shirts in school. I wasn't the mean girl. I was the arty girl, and so I love being able to play this role. It's close to home but it's not exactly who I am, but it's close enough."

Morera, 24, was only 6 years old when she first experienced the film "Mean Girls," which was released in 2003. "I was a kid when I first saw ‘Mean Girls,’ and I was probably too young for it, but I loved it and I was drawn to Janis even as a kid. Playing her feeds my middle school self. ‘Mean Girls’ is great as a film and as a musical. There's something about the story."

"Mean Girls," which was co-written by Saturday Night Live icon Tina Fey, is a clever comedy about a naive homeschooled teenager, who enrolls at a high school ruled by a vicious clique. "Mean Girls" was a box office monster that has become an enduring classic.

"Mean Girls" hit Broadway and the second "Mean Girls" film hit screens in 2024 as a musical, which like the original movie, became a box office success. "It's such a relatable story," Morera said. "If you've gone to high school, you've probably experienced something like 'Mean Girls.’“

The day before "Mean Girls" was released as a filmed musical in January 2024, Morera watched it with the cast and crew. "We had a blast watching it as a group," Morera said. "I loved the R&B twists to the songs."

Morera is also a fan of the 1989 film "Heathers," which created the mean girls template. It’s a darker movie about the high school hierarchy and what happens when a rebel decides to knock the alpha girls and boys off of their pedestals.

"Heathers" was the antithesis of John Hughes' feel-good '80s films that typically concluded in a gift-wrapped box with a bow on top. "Heathers," is surprising, subversive and snarky. The groundbreaking film by director Dan Waters had a huge impact in the industry and probably on Fey. Morera was instantly embraced by "Heathers" a generation after it graced screens.

"I love ‘Heathers,’" Morera said. "It's a cult classic. The ‘Heathers’ musical inspired me to get into musicals. I saw ‘Heathers,’ ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Wicked.’ I can quote those three shows front to back."

Fortunately, Morera can also quote "Mean Girls" front to back, which will come in handy when she performs at the Paramount Theater. "I love the dialogue from ‘Mean Girls.’ It's smart, funny and memorable," Morera said. "I’m so fortunate I play Janis, who isn't just some emo girl. She's different. She cares about her friends. She's not a one-dimensional character. All of the characters are interesting in ‘Mean Girls.’ It's a film that was meant to be a musical."

"Mean Girls" is malleable enough to work as a straightforward film or a musical. Much like "Heathers," "Mean Girls" will stand the test of time since the high school experience not only continues, but graduates can't help but look back at those seminal years. The types — mean, popular girls, jocks and academics — are perpetual. But not every production gets it like "Mean Girls," which is spot on.