Nearly ten years after its initial staging, Jocelyn Bioh’s exploration of adolescence in 1980s Ghana has emerged as an even stronger work in a captivating new Broadway production. Following its 2017 off-Broadway premiere, the play traveled to Los Angeles and returned to New York in 2018, eventually playing in more than 75 theaters across the United States and enjoying a popular run in London.
The comedy’s enduring appeal is evident in Bioh’s one-act script, which combines a recognizable narrative structure with richly drawn characters and sharp, witty dialogue. The piece also maintains pacing and engagement through a concise 80-minute runtime.
Directed by Whitney White, this Broadway debut moves beyond a simple celebration of the play’s previous successes. White, who previously directed Bioh’s Tony Award-winning Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, demonstrates a strong command of all-female ensembles. She is supported by a team of frequent collaborators, including Nikiya Mathis, who won a special Tony for hair and wig designs on Jaja’s, and Qween Jean, whose costume work on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Liberation adds visual brilliance to the stage.
Ghanaian Mean Girls! I need this energy in my life. Does it translate well to the Broadway stage or does it lose something going overseas?
80 minutes sounds perfect for a comedy. I always worry when plays drag on, but this sounds like a breezy and witty evening out.
Wait, this is based on her own middle school experience? That adds so much weight to the humor. Can’t wait to see how the costumes pop on the big stage.
I loved Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, so I have incredibly high hopes for this. Whitney White is a director to watch for sure.