After over a decade, area theater audiences have been thrilled to have Broadway return to Duluth with the first two shows in the touring “season,” the sold-out “Chicago” and “Pretty Woman.” Both shows had talented casts and top-notch production values, and both had the audiences on their feet cheering before the final notes.
Up next is “Mean Girls” featuring a book by nine-time Emmy Award® winner Tina Fey, based on her screenplay for the film; music by three-time Emmy Award® winner Jeff Richmond; lyrics by two-time Tony Award® nominee Nell Benjamin; and original direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award® winner Casey Nicholaw. A film adaptation of the musical was released in theaters on January 12, 2024.
“Mean Girls” opened on Broadway in April 2018, at the August Wilson Theatre, following its world premiere at the National Theatre in Washington, DC, in the fall of 2017. The show was nominated for twelve awards at the 72nd Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“Mean Girls” has had US National Tours from 2019 to the present
and a West End (London) production in 2024-25. Running one night in Duluth (DECC) on April 7, the show will then be going to the Ordway in St. Paul for a week-long run.
“Mean Girls” tells the story of “naïve newbie” Cady Heron who grew on an African savanna but was not prepared for the vicious ways of the “mean girls” at her suburban Illinois high school. She quickly crosses paths with the seemingly charming but truly ruthless pink-clad Plastics. She learns to stand up to them for herself and for her friends
Meet Maya Petropoulos—Regina George In “Mean Girls”
Playing the “Queen Bee” and the head of the Plastics, Regina George, is Maya Petropoulos who is excited to be on her first national tour.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, she recalls being drawn to theater at an early age. “I always loved music as a child, and I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. My parents put me in theatre, and I did it as a hobby throughout my childhood, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until high school. My high school had an amazing public arts program.”
She went on to Montclair State University in New Jersey, where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre in 2023.
Tackling this cunning, manipulative, audacious, and over the top character, Maya also sees Regina’s insecurities. She explained, “I’d describe Regina as a young girl who is in over her head. She’s easily hurt but doesn’t show it. She wants to be loved and included and has high aspirations.”
She added, “My favorite part about Regina is probably her personality. She is so very layered, and I can always find something new about her to dive into. ‘World Burn’ has always been my favorite song in the show to sing.”
Maya acknowledged the challenges of being on the road with the tour and staying rested and healthy. “A typical day off is all about recovery. Days off are usually travel days, so I try to catch up on sleep and hydration to get myself through the rest of the week ahead! I also check in with my family if I’m able. Sleep, hydrate, repeat!”
Like the rest of the young cast, Maya wants to share the fun she is having onstage with the audience. “I hope audiences have fun at our show. There’s so much going on in the world right now, and we love providing an escape that can make someone laugh for a few hours. It’s all about making our audiences have a good time with us, she said.
She noted, “There’s also a strong message: the people you don’t like are still people too, which is very important.”
The Roberts Group and Daniel Hampel
The Roberts Group has been presenting national touring shows around the country since 1999. Their emphasis has been to develop subscription series of theatrical productions in smaller markets such as Duluth.
Their tours have included: “The Lion King,” ”Wicked,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Cats,” “The Illusionists, “Jersey Boys,” “Les Miserables,” “ Mamma Mia!,” “Michael Flatley’s Lord of The Dance,” “ Rent,” “ Annie,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “ Mannheim Steamroller Christmas,” “Stomp,” and many others..
The Roberts Group works with booking agencies in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville., They also present some non-theatrical programming including Johnny Mathis, Frankie Valli, and The Oak Ridge Boys.
Other special events include David Copperfield, Celtic Woman, Walking with Dinosaurs, Wild Kratts LIVE, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE, Alton Brown, David Sedaris, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Last year, Roberts brought in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and in February, “The Price is Right Live” to the DECC.
Daniel Hampel, Roberts’ Managing Director, has been working with the Roberts Group for 18 years. With the success of Jesus Christ Superstar, Hampel worked with Dan Hartman at the DECC to bring in a four-show season for 2024-25.
“It takes many months of planning to be able to schedule shows,” Hampel said. “Dan Hartman and Lucie Amundsen at the DECC have been great to work with, and very helpful in making this all work with us.”
“We are very excited to bring Broadway back to Duluth and will be ready soon to announce a new season of shows for 2025-26,” Hampel said. “We hope to make the series bigger and better every year.”
Information about “Mean Girls”
Monday, April 7
DECC Symphony Hall 7:30 p.m.
For tickets and more information, visit destinationduluth.com/DECCEvents
Visit the DECC Ticket Office: 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802. Tickets are available by calling the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Ticket Office at (218) 727-4344 or in person Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 2pm.
Next Up: Final show in the 2024-25 DECC series
Riverdance 30–The New Generation
May 17 7:30 pm
Celebrating 30 phenomenal years of thrilling dance and showmanship, Riverdance – The New Generation is touring cities across the USA.
Tickets are available now at destinationduluth.com/DECCEvents
