During its final week of performances, MCC Theater's return run of School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play will be filmed by WNET-TV and will air on the public television program Theater Close-Up in 2019. As previously reported, Jocelyn Bioh’s acclaimed comedy, directed by Rebecca Taichman, will wrap up its extended remount at the Lucille Lortel Theatre December 9.
Additional information on the School Girls broadcast will be provided at a later date.
Read: HOW MEAN GIRLS AND A DEARTH OF ROLES INSPIRED JOCELYN BIOH’S SCHOOL GIRLS
First seen Off-Broadway last season, School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play was remounted by MCC this fall, beginning October 16. Originally scheduled through November 25, the engagement was extended due to popular demand.
The cast is made up of MaameYaa Boafo, Latoya Edwards, Paige Gilbert, Joanna A. Jones, Abena Mensah-Bonsu, Mirirai Sithole, Myra Lucretia Taylor, and Zenzi Williams.
School Girls tells a coming-of-age story set in an exclusive, all-girls boarding school in Ghana in the ‘80s. Paulina, the reigning Queen Bee, has her sights set on the Miss Universe pageant, but the arrival of new student Ericka captures the attention of the pageant recruiter and Paulina’s hive-minded friends.
School Girls received a critically acclaimed world premiere from MCC in 2017, marking actor and playwright Bioh's professional playwriting debut.
The production features scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Jen Schriever, sound design by Palmer Hefferan, hair and wig design by Cookie Jordan, and casting by Telsey + Company/Adam Caldwell, CSA, William Cantler, CSA, Karyn Casl, CSA. Rachel Gross is the production stage manager, and Veronicz Lee is the stage manager.
Support for the filming of School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play is provided by The Tow Foundation and the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust. Major support for Theater Close-Up is provided by Bernard and Irene Schwartz, the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Luesther T. Mertz Charitable Trust and Elaine & W. Weldon Wilson.
