Mean Girls Take Over Southern California

The Mean Girls musical is sweeping So Cal, first appearing in Los Angeles, it is in San Diego, then off to Orange County. Based on the Tina Fey movie, based on the popular nonfiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman, the musical is now being turned into a movie musical by Paramount. The musical version looks a bit different than the film but has all the elements that have become so popular. This touring production also features a number of performers from the LGBTQ as well as POC community, including Lawrence E. Street as Principal Rick Duvall and Caleb Mathura as Kevin G. We caught up with them on their day off to chat about their personal experience in theatre, as well as taking on well-loved characters.

LAWRENCE E. STREET

You made your Broadway debut in Urinetown…what was opening night like? What was going through your mind moments before taking the stage?

A Broadway debut is a singular moment in a performer’s life. I remember feeling a complicated sense of accomplishment and pressure. Also, mixed with my personal experience, the Nation was in a state of terror, due to World Trade Center bombings. Our official opening was supposed to be September 13, 2001. I remember our Officer Barrel, Daniel Marcus, took my shoulders and said to me “No matter what happens after this, you have performed in a Broadway Show. No one can take that away from you.” It was a very moving moment.

What has been your experience, as a black man, in the queer community?

My experience has varied. There has been connection and joy on the dance floor while listening to House Music. There has been awe and inspiration watching amazing drag performers like Kevin Aviance. There has also been a lot of loneliness and confusion by being “othered.” My personal work, over the past few years, has been about healing the damage that racism and homophobia have done to my sense of self.

What has been your experience, as a queer man, in the black community?

Growing up, being othered by the cis-gendered, heterosexual, black community was traumatic. I had a deep sense of hopelessness that was created by my family and the community I grew up in. Just living was met with the message that I was dirty/wrong/going to hell. There was an equally painful sense that I was a joke-not worthy of respect or empathy. Today, I have found a deep sense of safety with other Black Queer Folx in the rooms of recovery.

You have been on the stage for 20-plus years, how has theatre changed the most since you started?

Awesome advances have been made in lighting, sound, and set design in the past 20 years. The world that designers can create using modern technology is really exciting. Whether I’m onstage or in the audience, I feel like I’m getting a visual and auditory feast!

What was your connection to the Mean Girls movie before auditioning for the musical?

I’m a huge Tina Fey fan. I’ve always known that if she wrote it then I’m gonna love it. Tina’s singular creative voice is a special gift. Touring a big musical like Mean Girls is an honor. We travel with a company of 60 professionals, all at the top of their craft, and bring Broadway to cities all over this country. I feel a real sense of giving something to each community we perform in that feels heartfelt and sincere.

If you had to choose, which of the Mean Girls do you relate to the most?

I was a Gretchen when I was younger. I got very good at maintaining my social power by having LOTS of information about everyone else. YUCK.

How have you made the role of Mr. Duvall your own?

I think my Mr. Duvall is very highly-strung. I find a lot of comedic juice in the idea that he spends the entire day running from problem to problem and can barely keep it together. Mr. Duvall and I are alike in that we both take our jobs very seriously and we want to be respected. The main difference is that I don’t think Rick Duvall likes teenagers and doesn’t remember being one himself. I happen to think teenagers are great and I still try to stay connected to the younger versions of myself when I can.

What is your favorite onstage moment?

I love my last two lines in the show. They are so snarky. Something I would think to myself but would never say out loud.

What is your message to the LGBTQ community coming to see the show?

My message is simply THANK YOU for coming.

You can follow Lawrence on IG: @StreetLifenStuff

CALEB MATHURA

What was the first piece of theatre that inspired you to become an actor?

Years ago, I saw RENT for the first time. I was fascinated by both the actors onstage, as well as the roles they were playing. It was the first time I really felt represented onstage. I remember that like it was yesterday!

You come from a diverse heritage – Indian, Lebanese, and Irish – what about these cultures do you love the most, and what special element have they added to your performance?

I will always be a “foodie” at heart, so one of my favorite things about my heritage is the delicious foods each culture inhabits. My background has influenced my work onstage by making me more aware of the responsibilities that artists of color hold, especially when it comes to paving the way for the next generation of BIPOC artists.

You have portrayed some iconic lead roles – Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin in Pippin – how did you make these well-known roles your own?

For me, I always try to bring elements of myself to the role I’m playing. I’ve found that it helps create authenticity and originality onstage. Although sometimes difficult to find, there will always be similarities between yourself and the character. Embrace that!

What was your audition process for Mean Girls? Your first thoughts when you booked the tour?

I had three separate auditions for Mean Girls over the course of a few months, some were virtual and some were in person. When I booked the job, I felt overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude. This has been a dream of mine since I was 5, and having it become a reality was surreal.

What are some of the behind-the-scenes realities you’ve learned about life on the road with a show?

I’ve become more resourceful on the road. Traveling from city to city can be difficult on the mind, body, and spirit. From learning how to make oatmeal in a drip coffee maker, to actively scheduling time to talk with the people I love… my first tour has been very informative, to say the least.

What do you love most about playing Kevin G?

I love how “extra” I get to be when playing Kevin. He has a lot of bling and (possibly too much) swag. It’s a blast. Kevin and I are both very passionate people. We care about the future of ourselves and the people around us. Kevin is also incredibly confident about himself and his “schquillz” —I strive to be more like him in that sense.

What was your creative process when putting your performance together as Kevin G?

Kevin’s track utilizes a lot of skills that I hadn’t fully developed until stepping into this role. Focusing on diction and vocal stylization, especially for the rapping I do in the show, has been very important to my creative process for Kevin. I’m also a perfectionist; learning to let some of that go has been a process in itself.

What is your favorite onstage moment in Mean Girls?

I really love the moment I share with Cady during Act 2, before “Do This Thing.” I think it’s the first the audience sees how much having Cady on the Mathletes team means to Kevin… he really cares about her and wants her to utilize her talents. English Bernhardt (our fearless leader!) is also an absolute joy to work with, on and offstage. The show has been beautifully updated to take place in the present time vs. the movie, which was shot in 2004. The power of social media weighs a lot heavier in our production than the movie, which I think makes it even more relatable to this generation of fans.

You have spent most of your life in the theatre. What has it taught you about life?

Hard work and dedication. Being in any competitive field can be very intense at times, but you have to remember why you chose to pursue this. If you have a goal for yourself, work towards it every single day, and you WILL get there. That goes for anything you are passionate about in your life.

What is your message to the LGBTQ community coming out to see the show?

Never dim your light for the comfort of others. Live your life truthfully and authentically.

You can follow Caleb on IG: @Caleb_Mathura

Photo by Jenny Anderson

Mean Girls will run March 7-19, 2023. Tickets on sale at scfta.org.