Bring It On The Musical

Playing at the St. James Theatre located at 246 West 44th Street. It runs two hours an twenty minutes with one intermission. The show opened August 1, 2012 and was to run until October 7, 2012. but has been extended until January 20, 2013.

The musical is based on the 2000 film of the same name starring Kirsten Dunst. The book for the musical was written by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty (Ave Q 2004). Alan Blankenbuehler is both directer and choreographer of the musical. He won a Tony Award for "In The Heights" in 2008. Music and lyrics done by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lin won a Tony award in 2008 for "In The Heights". Other awards he won for this show are 2009 Grammy, 2007 Obie and Drama Desk Award

Bring It On first version premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia on January 16, 2011. A national tour of the musical started at Ahmanso Theatre in Los Angeles in November 2011. Starting on December 10, 2011 it traveled to San Francisco, Denver, Houston and Toronto.

The musical opens with Campbell (Taylor Loudman) praying to higher force to make her captain of the cheerleader squad in high school. This is her senior year. She is in competition with Skylar (Kate Rockman) who is one of the "you know" kind of girls. Campbell make captain and plans to take her team "Truman" to the state cheerleader finals. She makes Sklar, Kylar (Janet Krupp) and Eva (Ellen McLemore) her back up if something should happen to her. Unbeknown to her someone she thought a friend (Eva) has other plans for Campbell.

The school district where Campbell lives with her parents is rezoned. She has to go to a different high school which has been banished from cheerleading competition. It is a rough high school. Her friend Bridget (Ryann Redmore) transferred with her. Bridget wanted to be a cheer leader but because of her weight they made her the team mascot. She had to wear a parrot custom. Somehow she manages to put a team "Jefferson" together. Well she lied to them as to the benefits they would get if they joined. Nautica (Adrienne Warren) was hoping to win a scholarship to college. One of the cheerleaders is a transgender called La Cienga (Gregory Haney). They make it to the finals but lose to "Truman".

The cheerleader routines and dance numbers are out of this world.

There of course is high school romances, friends made and lesson to be learned about life. How it happens you'll have to see the show.

This is a young cast most of whom are making their Broadway debut. There are thirteen in the cast and twenty three in the ensemble.

Taylor Louderman, Adrienne Warren, Ellen McLemore and Kate Rockwell do an outstanding job. Ryann Redmond is a inspitation to the people in the audience. She comes across strong even though she has been told what life will be like for her. Bridget is going to outsmart them.

Gregory Haney as the transgender does a great job with out over doing it.

Ariana DeBose has a beautiful voice and can dance as well too.

The audience was made up of a mixture of adults and people under eighteen.

Don't worry if your over 18 you will still love this show. It's upbeat and refreshing. The music is great and the cheerleader routines will keep you in amazement.

If you want to have nice day at the theatre then "Bring it On"

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Annazor.

For a candid interview with the cast scroll down to the left for recent photos. Click on to recent photos for this and other shows.