The New Queen Bee of MEAN GIRLS

(Photo: Jeremy Daniel)

• Karen Stahl

Get ready Broadway for Renee Rapp.

On Monday, the 19-year-old gave a special preview performance ahead of her Broadway debut as Regina George on Friday, June 7.

Rapp will play the role of Regina from June 7 to June 26 during a leave of absence for current powerhouse Taylor Louderman. Rapp officially takes over the role beginning Sept. 10.

“It’s such a dream for such a long time,” Rapp said Monday at the event. “I can’t believe it’s really happening. But it’s amazing to have the support.”

She said being young and coming into an established company with older cast members has been a challenge – but she is tackling the role in stride.

“I’m learning from the best,” she said. “I feel like I’m in college, and they are all my professors.”

Rapp won the honor of Best Actress at the 2018 National High School Musical Theatre Awards – The Jimmy Awards – with a stripped-down rendition of “It All Falls Down” from Chaplin.

From that point on, she traveled back and forth between her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, and New York City to record an original album and go in for auditions.

Now she lives in New York City as she prepares to take on the iconic role of Regina.

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” Rapp said ahead of her Broadway debut on Friday.

Check out an exclusive preview performance of Rapp singing “Someone Gets Hurt” from Mean Girls!