The 'Fetch' Reality: Why Sabrina Carpenter's Mean Girls Broadway Run Lasted Only Two Nights

The dramatic irony is palpable: In early December 2025, global pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter is selling out arenas and dominating the charts with hits like "Espresso," yet one of the most significant, and shortest, chapters of her career remains her brief, two-night run on Broadway. Her highly anticipated debut as Cady Heron in the hit musical Mean Girls was set to be a 14-week limited engagement, a high-profile transition from Disney darling to musical theatre leading lady. However, the universe—in the form of a global pandemic—had other plans, turning a career milestone into a historic, blink-and-you-missed-it moment.

The story of Sabrina Carpenter's time in the Plastics' world is a fascinating footnote in Broadway history, a tale of perfect timing meeting the worst possible fate. It’s a moment she has since described as "humbling," a stark contrast to the massive, undeniable success she is experiencing today. For fans of the singer-actress, the two performances she delivered at the August Wilson Theatre represent a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been a legendary run.

Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who has successfully navigated the transition from child star to pop icon. Her career trajectory is defined by a relentless work ethic across multiple entertainment platforms, establishing her as a multifaceted talent in Hollywood.

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• Full Name: Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter
• Born: May 11, 1999, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Early Career/Breakthrough: Gained prominence as Maya Hart on the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World (2014–2017), a spin-off of the classic sitcom Boy Meets World.
• Acting Highlights: Her filmography includes roles in The Hate U Give (2018), the Netflix comedy Tall Girl (2019) and its sequel, and the acclaimed film Emergency (2022).
• Music Career: Signed with Hollywood Records and has released seven studio albums, including the critically praised *Emails I Can't Send* (2022) and her smash-hit sixth album, *Short n' Sweet* (2024), featuring the global single "Espresso."
• Broadway Debut: Cady Heron in Mean Girls (2020).
• Current Status: A global pop superstar, headlining major tours and performing at festivals worldwide, including a high-profile stint as the opening act on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

The Shortest Run on Broadway: Two Nights as Cady Heron

The announcement that Sabrina Carpenter would be joining the Broadway cast of Mean Girls in early 2020 sent shockwaves of excitement through both the Disney fandom and the musical theatre community. She was cast in the lead role of Cady Heron, the naive but intelligent new girl who moves from Kenya to suburban Illinois and falls in with the notorious "Plastics."

Carpenter was scheduled for a limited 14-week engagement at the August Wilson Theatre, succeeding Erika Henningsen, who had originated the role of Cady Heron on Broadway. Her first performance was on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. The critical and fan reception for her debut was overwhelmingly positive, praising her vocal talent and stage presence as a natural fit for the role. She was living out a lifelong dream, taking her bows on the biggest stage in the world.

However, the theatrical world was on the brink of an unprecedented shutdown. Her second performance took place on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. That same day, as the curtain fell, the COVID-19 pandemic was escalating rapidly across New York City. By the end of the evening, the decision had been made: Broadway theatres would close their doors indefinitely, effective immediately.

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The entire production of Mean Girls, based on the iconic film written by Tina Fey, played its final performance that night. Sabrina Carpenter's 14-week run as Cady Heron was officially reduced to a historic, yet heartbreaking, two-night stint.

The 'Humble' Aftermath and Current Pop Culture Resurgence

The abrupt cancellation of her run was a devastating blow for the young star. While the initial shutdown was meant to be temporary, Mean Girls producers later announced that the show would not return to the Broadway stage, making the March 11, 2020, performance its permanent closing.

In the years that followed, as Sabrina Carpenter’s music career skyrocketed—culminating in the viral success of "Espresso" and her *Short n' Sweet* album—she has openly reflected on the experience. She admitted that the dream of landing a lead role on Broadway, which she thought would be a major turning point, was immediately followed by a profound sense of deflation.

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• The Humbling Experience: Carpenter has described the short run as a moment that "humbled" her, a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, even at the peak of excitement.
• The Dramatic Contrast: The two-night run stands in stark contrast to her current status. She went from performing for a few thousand people in a theatre to performing for tens of thousands of people nightly on The Eras Tour, a testament to her resilience and the power of her music.
• The Desire to Return: Despite the disappointment, Carpenter has expressed a strong desire to return to the Broadway stage in the future, stating that the experience only solidified her love for musical theatre. This leaves the door open for a future, full-length run in another production.

The Legacy of Sabrina's Cady Heron: A Glimpse of Greatness

Sabrina Carpenter’s brief time in Mean Girls is a powerful example of the intersection of global events and personal career milestones. While her run was short, the casting itself—placing a modern, bankable star in the iconic role of Cady Heron—was a brilliant move by the producers, attracting a new, younger audience to the August Wilson Theatre.

Her inclusion in the cast alongside other talents like Reneé Rapp (who played Regina George and went on to star in the film adaptation) provided a snapshot of a dynamic, new generation of Broadway stars. The limited performances she gave showcased her vocal prowess and acting range, proving she was more than capable of handling the demands of a major Broadway role.

Today, the story of Sabrina Carpenter's two-night Broadway debut is less about failure and more about a dramatic twist of fate. It’s a compelling piece of trivia that connects the current pop sensation back to the rigorous world of musical theatre. As her fame continues to grow, her short but significant tenure as Cady Heron remains a poignant reminder of a dream deferred, fueling speculation among fans and industry insiders about when she might finally make her triumphant, full-length return to the hallowed stages of Broadway. Given her current trajectory, a return would undoubtedly be one of the hottest tickets in New York City.