More than 60 teenagers come together in a play about cliques and bullying showing off comedic skills, singing and a whole lot of high school drama. Mean Girls Jr. is now playing at Village Square Theatre through March 23. The junior version of the musical is a bit more condensed and also brings the rating down to PG, but the musical doesn’t lose any of the main scenes or the message many are familiar with.

Many people may know the 2024 movie or the 2004 original film about a new girl, Cady Heron, who moves to suburban Illinois from the African savanna. Cady learns the ins and outs of the American high school system, a system she knows nothing about. Her journey shows how she learns about cliques, crushes, shopping and popularity while learning to find her true self.

Mean Girls Jr. Director Candice Pipkin says there are two casts who rotate from night to night allowing more young actors to have a chance at the popular play.

“They all have a sassy flair but you’re doing a musical about bullies and being mistreated. If they give anything to the audience, it’s to give a positive feeling of being kind and a good friend,” Pipkin said.

One of Pipkin’s favorite songs is “Revenge Party.” Toward the end, the actors get a chance to show kindness in an unexpected way. It’s where the message of the musical is portrayed.

In addition to the character Cady, other main characters include Janis and Damian who befriend Cady and explain who the Plastics are. These two best friends are the outcasts at North Shore High School and lend plenty of comedy and sass sprinkled throughout the show.

Janis brings snarky and Damian brings plenty of lines that stand out throughout the show. They are always authentic in all they do and when Cady gets caught up in the Plastic world the audience will side with these two friends.

Speaking of the Plastics, the Plastic clique consists of lead queen bee Regina George and her two followers Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith. Regina is the queen of manipulation and earns an A+ in scheming.

She has a song proclaiming all about her. The music style matches the hit movies and is upbeat and quick. A live band in the orchestra pit provides the music throughout the show.

It was important to Pipkin that a live band play the music because she says the “musicians can follow the actors.” The live band is made up of local musicians around the Lexington area.

Other actors in the play include Ms. Norbury, Aaron and Mrs. George, Regina’s mom. Ms. Norbury is the teacher who helps the students realize the message at the end and Aaron is Cady’s crush.

Together, the actors and the rest of the ensemble present a message of anti-bullying and positivity with an extra dose of sass and plenty of fetch, a term you’ll learn more about when you come see the show.

Village Square Theatre is located at 105 Caughman Rd. in Lexington, and tickets can be purchased at www.villagesquaretheatre.com/tickets/.