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Like an oncoming storm, the play has dark undertones with a brooding, changing mood.
(Above) Scene from the Goodman Theatre production. Left to right: Tiffany Renee Johnson as Mercy, Kyrie Courter as Ericka Boafo, Adhana Reid as Ama, and Adia Alli as Gifty. Photos by Flint Chaney. (Click on images to view larger versions.) 15-Aug-21 – In March of 2020, three days before School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play was set to open at the Goodman Theatre, it was forced to close due to COVID-19. Some thought the shutdown would be temporary. It turned out to be more than a year and a half of waiting. During that time, Goodman pivoted and made the show available to audiences through streaming. The play was viewed in 45 states and 13 countries across the globe, including more than 1,600 Chicago Public Schools students who had free access. The Goodman Theatre has just reopened and School Girls is now back in session, live.
Like an oncoming storm, the play has dark undertones with a brooding, changing mood. Revolving around a group of buoyant high school girls at an exclusive boarding school in Ghana, School Girls demonstrates a real penchant for teenage chat. At Aburi Girls High School, the reigning “Queen Bee” has her sights on the Miss Ghana beauty pageant to compete for Miss Universe. But then a new girl, Ericka, appears on the scene and it’s a game-changer for everyone. Expect LOL moments as the girls engage in comedic banter about clothes, looks, and family background, showcasing the similarities of teenage girls across the globe. What was truly funny was their perception of American cultural icons like White Castle, Nike, and Walmart. When they find out that White Castle is hardly a castle, but merely a place to grab some burgers, they erupt into uncontrollable laughter.
But bullying, blackmail, and deception all come into view. Then, something even more terrifying. That’s when the mood shifts. The humor dissipates. The ambience on the stage slowly turns into something else – something more realistic, frightening, and contemporary. Racism has reared its ugly head. The play stars Adia Alli (Gifty), Kyrie Courter (Ericka Boafo), Ashley Crowe (Nana), Ciera Dawn (Paulina Sarpong), Tiffany Renee Johnson (Mercy), Adhana Reid (Ama), Tania Richard (Headmistress Francis), and Lanise Antoine Shelley (Eloise Amponsah). These actors create powerhouse performances that depict a range of emotions from silly joy to deep frustration. The play was written by Ghanaian-American playwright Jocelyn Bioh, who was inspired by the actual 2011 beauty pageant in Ghana. It is directed by Lili-Anne Brown with quick precision and impeccable comedic timing. Kudos to costume designer Samantha Jones for the girls’ beautiful gowns and elegant dress for Eloise Amponsah. Mention must be made of Kyrie Courter’s amazing voice when she sings Whitney Houston’s 1980s classic ballad, The Greatest Love of All. She nearly takes the house down. School Girls runs through August 29 in the Albert Theatre. Approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Seating is limited and masks are required.
Coming up next at the Goodman is American Mariachi from September 18 through October 24. |
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