Theguardian iconTheguardianSep 29, 2026 ~1 min source read

School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play review – comedy makes a near-flawless Broadway debut

It's easy to see why – Jocelyn Bioh 's one-act comedy has a familiar structure, richly detailed characters, and an onslaught of delicious barbs. Its splendid Broadway debut is not content with being a mere victory lap, though, in a freshly glorious production helmed by Whitney White.

School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play review – comedy makes a near-flawless Broadway debut

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It's easy to see why – Jocelyn Bioh 's one-act comedy has a familiar structure, richly detailed characters, and an onslaught of delicious barbs.

Its splendid Broadway debut is not content with being a mere victory lap, though, in a freshly glorious production helmed by Whitney White.

Having staged Bioh's Tony-winning Jaja's African Hair Braiding, the director knows her way around an all-women ensemble, and often counts upon a team of usual suspects to make her shows pop:

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It's easy to see why – Jocelyn Bioh 's one-act comedy has a familiar structure, richly detailed characters, and an onslaught of delicious barbs. Its splendid Broadway debut is not content with being a mere victory lap, though, in a freshly glorious production helmed by Whitney White. Having staged Bioh's Tony-winning Jaja's African Hair Braiding, the director knows her way around an all-women ensemble, and often counts upon a team of usual suspects to make her shows pop:

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  • Nikiya Mathis, who won a special Tony for Jaja's hair and wig designs, and Qween Jean, whose costumes enlivened the Pulitzer-winning Liberation, ensure there's always visual splendor onstage.

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Plus it has the good sense of an 80-minute runtime.

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