Tina Fey’s hilarious hit movie-turned-Broadway musical, “Mean Girls,” is coming from New York to Philly this fall — and with it comes an opportunity for teenagers and their families to explore friendship, bullying, and other issues. On November 24th Moving Traditions, the Jewish Federation-supported empowerment group for Jewish teens, will have a day of theater and discussion: a pre-show brunch and workshop on Helping Teens Navigate Social Pressure, followed by a “Mean Girls” performance at the Academy of Music. Pairing the two activities makes perfect sense: after all, the show’s premise — about a naïve new girl at an Illinois high school, her strategic rise to popularity to unseat the Queen Bees, and her tangles with frenemies along the way — is just an extreme version of the drama many teenagers endure every day.
“It’s a way for teens to discuss healthy friendships,” says Moving Tradition’s Philadelphia director, Eve Berger, “and for parents to start meaningful conversations with their teens.” Framing the show with Jewish text study and discussion of Jewish values transforms a fun day at the theater into a meaningful experience with the potential to yield lasting rewards.
Limited seats to “Mean Girls” are available through Moving Traditions’ group ticket sales through September 15th, and those who wish can attend just the brunch/workshop for $18. For more information and to register, click here or contact Eve Berger at eberger@movingtraditions.org.