Tony Tuesday: BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL
Today we’re going back to 2013 for some contemporary gravity defying musical theatre, and no, its not Wicked! Today’s TONY Tuesday is:
‘It’s All Happening’ from Bring It On: The Musical at the 2013 TONY Awards ceremony.
Bring It On: The Musical is a 2011 musical loosely based on the 2000 film of the same name, which focuses on rival high school cheerleaders competing in national championships. The musical has music by Tom Kitt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, lyrics by Amanda Green and a book by Jeff Whitty.
The production started its out-of-town try-out at the Alliance Theatre in Seattle on 15 January 2011 for five weeks. The production was choreographed and directed by Andy Blankenbuehler, with set design by David Korins, costumes by Andrea Lauer, lighting by Jason Lyons and sound by Brian Ronan. The original production starred Amanda LaVergne as Campbell, Adrienne Warren as Danielle and Nick Blaemire as Randall. As well as an ensemble who learned cheerography, the production also featured cheerleaders from around the US who were specially selected by Varsity to take place in the complex choreography needed for the show’s intense routines. The routines were overseen and supervised by Jessica Columbo who was a cheerleading judge and consultant. The musical then embarked on a national tour where several new cast members joined including Taylor Louderman who took over the role of Campbell and Jason Gotay who took over the role of Randall. The tour started in November 2011 and closed in June 2012.
The production transferred to Broadway’s St James’ Theatre, starting previews in July 2012, before officially opening on 1 August. The musical was original slated as a limited engagement with a view to close on 7 October 2012. However, due to positive audience reception and reviews, the musical extended for a further two and a half months, closing on 30 December 2012. The production was TONY nominated for ‘Best Musical’ and ‘Best Choreography’ at the 2013 TONY awards.
The show was scheduled to tour the UK in 2017, however this was then postponed until 2019. The tour was announced to re-open in 2021, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed until 2021. The role of La Cienega was the first ever transgender character written into a musical and Jal Joshua will become the first transgender actor to play the role in the upcoming UK tour.
Besties, if you haven’t listened to this cast recording yet, you need to, it’s full of some absolute bangers.
Cast recording available on streaming services.
FACTS
Music: Tom Kitt and Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics: Amanda Green
Book: Jeff Whitty
Theatre: The St. James Theatre
Run: 12 July 2012 – 30 December 2012 (21 previews, 173 regular performances)
TONYS:
(NOMINATED) Best Musical, Best choreography – Andy Blankenbuehler.
