The Drama Department at Riverbank High School this past weekend put on four performances of Mean Girls Jr., based on the 2004 film. Both were written by Saturday Night Live alum Tina Fey.

The musical Mean Girls explores themes of fitting in, the pressures of high school, and the consequences of conforming to social expectations. It’s a rock musical with a book by Fey, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, and music by Jeff Richmond.

It was directed by drama teacher John Thiel and staged in the Black Box Theatre on the RHS campus. The cast was made up of 19 students, with a production crew at least twice that number.

The story revolves around Cady Heron, played by Bella Rodriguez, who is a new student who learns the rules of popularity and the pressure to fit in, but ultimately loses herself in the process.

The musical delves into the power dynamics of high school, the challenges of navigating social cliques, and the impact of social status on individuals. The musical explores the consequences of actions, both positive and negative, and the importance of being true to oneself.

The story highlights the importance of genuine friendships and the value of loyalty, even when facing difficult situations. The musical also touches upon themes of female empowerment and the importance of standing up for oneself and others.

A recurring theme in Mean Girls is blind judgment, where people are quick to pass judgment on each other without understanding the whole picture.

Thiel also served as the Music Director, with students Ash Kahler as Stage Manager and Ymani Duran as Stage Manager. Choreographers were Anthony White and Mia Robinson.

The musical was staged in the Black Box Theatre at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 28 and at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29. It was offered twice on Sunday, the final day, with shows at 1 p.m. and at 6 p.m.

News Correspondent Ric McGinnis contributed to this story.