Pink lines Paramount streets as the school of “Mean Girls” gets off to a fierce and fetching start

Photos provided by Boris Martin

If it seems like there’s an overwhelming amount of pink walking the streets around Aurora and the surrounding suburbs, especially on Wednesdays, that’s because the Chicago premiere of “Mean Girls” made its way to the stunningly persevered Paramount Theatre’s longstanding Broadway Series.

The color is of course the preferred choice of the “Plastics,” or the highest ranking social class of the local public high school, where unsuspecting new student Cady Heron transfers to after being homeschool in Kenya.

Now through Sunday, October 11, Chicagoland can step in the high-heeled shoes of the leading lady, played impeccably by Elizabeth Stenholt, alongside her similarly flawless arch nemesis Regina George (Dariana Mullen), plus Angel Alzeidan as Gretchen Wieners, Julia Hope Budd as Karen Smith, Diego Vazquez Gomez as Aaron Samuels, Lucy Godinez as Janis Sarkisian, Steven Klenk as Damian Hubbard, Ben Mathew as Kevin G, Veronica Garza as Mrs. Heron/Ms. Norbury/Mrs. George and Austin Nelson Jr. as Principal Duvall.

Everyone follows fabulously in the footsteps of the mega 2004 movie starring Lindsay Lohan and written by Tina Fey (“Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock”), the latter of whom also puts her comedic magic on this musical edition, featuring a perky pop/rock blend of music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Neil Benjamin.

When it comes to Cady’s first day, she initially befriends outsiders Janis and Damian, who are so disgusted by the “Mean Girls,” they attempt to have her infiltrate their camp, which consists of “queen bee” Regina, the insecure, second-in-command Gretchen Wieners and the stereotypical dumb blonde Karen.

The newcomer does indeed land a lunch date with the trio, followed by falling head over heels for the dreamy Aaron in AP Calculus and getting asked to join the “Mathletes” by fellow classmate Kevin, though its later reveled to be “social suicide.”

However, the real cattiness begins when Cady discovers Aaron is technically totally off limits because she used to date Regina, who upon hearing about her mostly fake friend’s love interest through the gossip mill, turns getting him back into strictly a personal vendetta.

It all adds up to a power struggle switch between the desperately ruthless Regina and an increasingly shallow Cady, leading both to their breaking point and sparking a full-out war of the social classes, enhanced by a “Burn Book” of insults against practically the entire school and a subsequent argument that results in a sudden, dramatic and nearly fatal accident.

Despite the students’ complicated cross-section of strengths and shortcomings, there are always insights to be gained with this latest exemplary Paramount production making sure “Mean Girls” finds even the fiercest of frenemies mending fences and teaches popularity doesn’t have to necessarily come attached to such a hefty price.

“Mean Girls” continues at the Paramount Theatre through Sunday, October 11. For additional details, visit ParamountAurora.com.