“Bring it On,” the Broadway musical based on the 2000 film of the same name, is extending its run through January 20, 2013. The musical had its world premiere in January 2011 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. At the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, a national tour of “Bring it On” ran November to December 2011. The Broadway production began previews in July 12, 2012 at the St. James Theatre. “Bring It On” officially opened on August 1, 2012, and was originally slated for a limited engagement through October 7, 2012.
The show explores the competitive sport of high school cheerleading. “Bring it On” tells the story of Campbell Davis who serves as cheer captain of Truman High. Set during Davis’ senior year, the production narrates the cheerleading rivalry between two rival high schools.
Taylor Louderman (Campbell), Adrienne Warren (Danielle), Ryann Redmond (Bridget), Jason Gotay (Randall), Elle McLemore (Eva), Ariana DeBose (Nautica), and Gregory Haney (La Cienega lead the current Broadway cast of “Bring It On.” Gotay was last seen in “Rent” and Haney is of “Memphis” fame.
The members of the creative team of “Bring It On” are highly regarded in their respective fields. Jeff Whitty, who won a Tony award for “Avenue Q,” penned the book for this cheerleading musical. The pop and hip-hop score was co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“In the Heights”), Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”), Amanda Green (“High Fidelity”). Miranda and Kitt are recipients of Tony awards for “In The Height” and “Next to Normal” respectively.
The three songwriters discussed their collaboration on Playbill.com. Miranda believes high school is the perfect setting for a Broadway show. He stated, “It’s just when you feel the most! You have the most feelings per second…. You’re bursting with hormones and everything’s life or death…which is great, fertile territory for a musical.”
Scott Zacher of Chicago Theater Beat writes, “The music is a catchy mix of hook-heavy pop lite and percussive hip-hop.”
Songs featured in “Bring It On” include “Do Your Own Thing,” “Cross the Line,” and “What I Was Born to Do.”
Andy Blankenbuehler serves as the musical’s director and choreographer. Zacher stated, “An enthusiastic shake of the poms for director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, whose dance creations play out like thrill rides.”
Zacher also praised the physical feats of the performers. He said, “…you’re in for an evening of spectacular gymnastics and the sort of airborne human catapults that put Spider Man to shame. There’s no wires in this show, and no safety net. Which makes the heights the cast achieves impressive indeed.”
Gregory Haney shone as La Cienega. Zacher declares, “The most memorable of the ensemble? That would be Gregory Haney as La Cienega…who brings a flamboyant, defiant joy to the stage whether he’s in full-on cheer mode or just strutting around the high school hallway. Never mind the travails of the cheerleaders. La Cienega is a musical just waiting to happen.”
The Broadway League reports for the week ending on August 12, 2012, “Bring It On” grossed $472,810. Tickets are available at both the St. James Theatre box office and by phone. For a full schedule of performances visit the play’s official website.
