School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play review
Nearly a decade after it was first staged, Jocelyn Bioh’s study of girlhood in 1980s Ghana is better than ever in irresistible new production
TL;DR
- The play "School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play" by Jocelyn Bioh is having a successful Broadway debut.
- The production is directed by Whitney White and features an all-women ensemble with notable contributions from Nikiya Mathis and Qween Jean.
- Set in 1986 Ghana, the story follows a group of schoolgirls competing for a beauty pageant, with their hierarchy challenged by a new transfer student.
- The play explores themes of girlhood, competition, colorism, and capitalism, complicating the audience's rooting interests.
- The production is praised for its humor, character development, visual splendor, and strong performances from the cast, including Denée Benton and Jasmine Amy Rogers.