Manhattan Theatre Club (Nicki Hunter, Artistic Director, and Chris Jennings, Executive Director) is pleased to announce full casting for the Broadway premiere of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, written by Tony Award nominee Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Whitney White, reuniting the team behind MTC’s critically acclaimed 2023 world premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
The production will begin previews on Tuesday, September 8 and open Monday, September 28 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. School Girls is produced in association with Chase This Productions and Susan Kelechi Watson.
Becoming Miss Ghana 1986 would mean fame, fortune, and prosperity. At least, that’s what Paulina—the queen bee of Aburi Girls Boarding School—believes. When the pageant recruiter comes to school, Paulina and her crew pull out all the stops. But to their surprise, a new transfer student from America kicks the competition into a higher, far more personal gear.
The cast features Tony Award nominee Denée Benton (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Hamilton, The Gilded Age), Tony Award winner Patina Miller (Pippin, Into the Woods, Sister Act), Obie Award winner Heather Alicia Simms (Purlie Victorious, Fairview), Tony Award nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers (Boop!, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Erin Morton (Heathers The Musical), Lucia Aremu (Cold War Choir Practice, Becky Nurse of Salem), Nia Otchere-Sarfo (Murder Bot), Jordan Rice (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Swagger), and more.
Joining the production’s creative team are Teresa L. Williams (Scenic Design), Tony Award winner Qween Jean (Costume Design), Tony Award nominee Stacey Derosier (Lighting Design), Tony Award winner Cody Spencer (Sound Design), Tony Award recipient Nikiya Mathis (Wig, Hair and Makeup Design), and Dawn-Elin Fraser (Dialect Coach). Casting is by Caparelliotis Casting & Kelly Gillespie; Sara Gammage serves as Production Stage Manager.
On Tuesday, October 20, MTC will celebrate the Broadway arrival of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play with a special benefit performance. The evening will begin at 5:00 PM with an exclusive cocktail reception and seated dinner at the Edison Hotel, followed by a 7:30 PM performance.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play originally premiered Off-Broadway at MCC in 2017-18. The bright, biting comedy has gone on to receive 75 regional productions and a UK premiere in 2023.
For more information and tickets, please click HERE. All proceeds from this celebration on October 20 will help support MTC’s entire season of productions, as well as our ticket access programs, which provide free and deeply discounted tickets to help ensure these plays are financially accessible to New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds.
Image courtesy of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
