Mean Girls Musical Movie Finishes Filming in Middletown

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As quickly as it went up, the sign for the fictional North Shore High School came down as production ended on the filming of a teen comedy musical in Middletown. John Spinelli

By John Spinelli

MIDDLETOWN – In the words of Gretchen Wieners, “That was so fetch.”

On April 27, filming of “Mean Girls: The Musical,” a movie based on the hit Broadway show – which was based on the 2004 movie written by Tina Fey – concluded on the former campus of Mater Dei Prep in Middletown.

The building that housed Mater Dei Prep, which closed in June 2022 because of declining enrollment, is owned by St. Mary’s Church. Starting in January, Paramount Pictures, distributor of the original movie, leased the former high school for filming a majority of scenes. Other scenes were filmed in private residences in Middletown.

The film and musical revolve around a high school student, played by Lindsey Lohan in the original, navigating a new school and its intimidating clique of girls known as the “Plastics.” Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., the new movie musical stars Australian actress Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, Reneé Rapp as Regina George, Auli’i Cravalho as Janis and Jacquel Spivey as Damian. Reprising their roles from the original movie are Tina Fey as teacher Mrs. Norbury and Tim Meadows as Principal Duvall. The film will also feature Jenna Fischer, known for her role as Pam in the NBC series “The Office,” as Cady Heron’s mother, Busy Philipps as Mrs. George and Jon Hamm as Coach Carr. 

Many Mater Dei Prep alumni were cast as background actors for the movie, including Matt Curti ’20, center, and Sean Molicki ’17, right, shown with reporter John Spinelli. Courtesy John Spinelli

Local filming can be credited to a bill signed Jan. 12, 2022, by Gov. Phil Murphy which amended the digital media and production tax credit program meant to incentivize media productions to work in New Jersey.

The film had quite an impact on the Two River community. 

“Over these last few years, Middletown has transformed into a filming hub for both small and large productions,” said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry. “Filming benefits our small businesses, provides job opportunities and allows those who are not from the area to explore the incredible place we call home.”

Many residents, including former Mater Dei Prep alumni, were background actors – or extras – for the movie. Paul Juelis of Red Bank was a background actor in the film, cast as a teacher. Juelis graduated Mater Dei Prep in 2012.

“Going in I expected to be in a classroom setting, writing on a chalkboard or taking attendance. However, during my scene, I was acting by monitoring students in the hallway,” he said.

“The experience on set was cool and pretty much just as I imagined,” Juelis said. “I was surprised how much time and effort went into such short scenes, as well as the importance of every little detail in making a film.”

Jeffrey Seggio, a Middletown resident, acted as a student in the film. Seggio graduated Mater Dei in 2017. 

“It was surreal seeing all the changes they made to the building to transform it from Mater Dei to North Shore High,” he said. “Seeing old classmates of mine after checking in was also a great surprise and was fun catching up.”

Seggio enjoyed his time on set.

“Everyone I met from the cast to the crew was super nice. I’m very glad to have been able to relive the high school experience.”

The film is currently slated for a 2024 streaming release on Paramount+ which would coincide with the original’s 20th anniversary.

The reporter, John Spinelli ’18, was a background actor on the production.

The article originally appeared in the May 4 – 10, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.