Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jocelyn Bioh’s SCHOOL GIRLS arrives on Broadway, brighter and more sobering than ever

• By drediman
• October 4, 2026
• No Comments

After nearly a decade — including two successful Off-Broadway runs (courtesy of MCC Theater) and a number of regional productions — Mean Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Nollywood Dreams) has finally reached its final destination of the Great White Way at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre by way of Manhattan Theatre Club. Set in 1980s Ghana, the work depicts an all-girls boarding school and the shake-up that ensues when a pretty and personable American-raised girl transfers in and vies for a coveted spot in the national beauty pageant. The play really is, as the title suggests, simply – and I think rather audaciously – the film (and musical) Mean Girls set in west Africa.

Brighter and more sobering than ever, I’m happy to report that the play — with its fancy new cast and a new director — remains one of the most unabashedly entertaining theatrical offerings currently in New York. As ever, Ms. Bioh’s writing is joyous and alive, and often very funny. Indeed, the play continues to be a breath of fresh air in terms of its observant depiction of high school cliques and send-up of 1980s pop culture, especially through the lens of African culture. Despite its unabashed breeziness, School Girls also touches upon some more serious themes, namely as it relates to notions of beauty — particularly as it relates to skin tone — and self image. Thankfully, the playwright addresses these with touching compassion, surprising subtlety, and quiet devastation. That being said, the piece is a crowd-pleasing joyride for much of its 90-minute running time.

The excellent production has been confidently directed by Whitney White, who is new to the production (the Off-Broadway mountings were helmed by Tony-winner Rebecca Taichman). Under White’s lead, the play lands more broadly and incisively — the girls’ hilarious rendition of Whitney Houston’s indestructible “Greatest Love of All” is almost worth the price of admission all by itself — without losing any of its pre-existing warmth and brio. Which brings us to the vivacious Broadway cast, which is a knockout. Led by Denée Benton and Jasmine Amy Rogers — both luminous — as ferociouslyfeuding classmates, the cast as a whole bring delicious personality to their roles (special mention must go to Tony-winner Patina Miller, who nails her diva turn as the pageant recruiter).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY
Broadway, Play
Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through November 15