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How far would you go to be popular and hot?

The South Davie Middle School Musical Theatre invites you to step into the  hilarious musical “Mean Girls Jr.” about the dangers of chasing popularity and the importance of being true to oneself.

Public performances are Thursday and Friday, Jan. 18 and 19, at 6 p.m. in the school theatre.

“Mean Girls Jr.” is adapted from Tina Fey’s 2004 film and the Broadway hit. It tells the story of student Cady Heron (played by Marley Shoemaker) who must learn to navigate the social hierarchy of high school when her family moves to suburban Illinois from Kenya.

The opening act introduces the audience to Cady’s new classmates at North Shore High. She meets the co-chair of the Student Activities Committee, Damian (played by Sylas Johnson). Damian also serves as one of the show’s narrators. Damian is joined by best friend Janice (played by Kenzie Boldt), where they quickly give Cady a lay of the land when it comes to cliques.

Nothing from Cady’s time in the African savanna has prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois.

How will this naive newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order?

By taking on “The Plastics,” a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George (played by Kiera Lynch.) When Cady and Regina meet for the first time, the queen bee invites the new student to sit with the Plastics at their lunch table. Janice and Damian encourage their new friend to “report back” about what the trio does.

Although reluctant, Cady goes undercover as an aspiring Plastic.

In calculus class Cady meets Aaron Samuels (played by Shan’Trell Parris), who happens to be Regina’s ex-boyfriend. Cady tells Regina’s best friend and fellow Plastic, Gretchen (played by Akema Holland), that she has a crush on Aaron. After a betrayal from her new-found Plastic friends, Cady, Damian and Janice devise a plan to end Regina’s reign. Cady learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.

Damian and Janice help Cady plan revenge on the Plastics. When the lines between the real Cady, and the Plastic version that she created begin to blur, she must find a way back to her true self and real friends.

The audience can expect the same story line as the movie, mixed with 21 musical numbers to move the plot forward. All inappropriate content was removed from the story.

“Mean Girls JR. is a hilarious and totally fetch show with some very important lessons about friendship, authenticity, and accountability,” said Brenda Mosko,” choral director. “Throughout the musical, we watch characters journey from changing parts of themselves in order to belong, to living as the unique and brave shining stars that they are. We hope you’ll support these terrific students and their wonderful production.”

Tickets are $10. To learn more, call 336.751.5941.