The former, present and wannabe cheerleaders of the country are likely rather excited about the emergence of Bring It On! The Musical, the new play by the writers of Avenue Q, Next to Normal and In the Heights about the trials and tribulations of cheerleading. The rest of us are, dare I say, dubious. Allow me to put you at ease: this is a dynamic, fun musical that can be enjoyed even by non-cheerleaders, albeit with some reservations.
Admittedly, it is not a show to be seen for the plot. It’s hampered when it simultaneously lauds and lampoons cheerleading, tripping over its own feet, and by its formulaic, predictable story arc. The music is also somewhat forgettable, so you wouldn’t see it for that either.
The rest of the musical, however, redeems its flaws. The cheerleading is more like Cirque de Soleil style acrobatics than pom-pom waving; the most petite girls are thrown 25-30 feet into the air, flipping and twirling all the while, in what is perhaps the best series of stunts. (For what it’s worth, they’re probably the best “cheerleading” squad in the country, even if they are a decade too old.) [click to continue….]
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