H to the ELL, N to the O. That was my response to the announcement that Mirvish’s latest movie-turned-musical production would be based on the 2000 film Bring It On. In my humble Ebert-ized opinion, the movie was all pomp-poms, midriffs and saccharine moments best left for a couple of straight-to-DVD sequels, not a full-out musical. Well, Bring It On: The Musical, which opened last night, definitely brought it.
A brief recap for those who haven’t watched the original film: the plot revolves around the mascot-eat-mascot world of competitive high-school cheerleading and going for the gold at Nationals, interspersed with some peer pressure and raging teenage hormones.
What works best for the musical is that it hardly resembles the film on which it is based. Instead of bitter inter-school rivalry, Truman High School’s cheer captain, Campbell (played by the lovely Taylor Louderman), is “redistricted” to Jackson High, where, instead of a cheer squad, they have a fly dance crew, led by the fierce Danielle (the feisty and fun Adrienne Warren). Not surprisingly, Campbell and Danielle, coming from different sides of the tracks (Campbell is into pom-poms, Danielle wears high tops) have some beef with each other, but after Campbell wows the group with her hip-hop Leprechaun skillz (you’ll have to watch the show to know what I mean), the girls eventually bond, form a squad, and aim for Nationals.
The songs are a mix of upbeat, peppy numbers for the cheerleading moments and funky urban beats that show Jackson High’s street cred.
The actors are a highly talented bunch, and there are even a few brilliant turns, including Gregory Haney as the delicious La Cienega and Ryann Redmond as the peppy Bridget.
The dance numbers, a blend of athleticism, hip-hop moves, and an array of jumps and flips, are pretty spectacular. One standout moment happens when Campbell, through a single backflip, literally transforms her costume from sweats to sequins in an instant. It had the entire audience mesmerized (I’m still baffled by how the stunt was performed).
The set, save for a few select pieces, is basically a simple grid of suspended video screens that easily transforms the backdrop from Campbell’s bedroom to high-school to arenas, and it works well.
Bring It On: The Musical probably won’t win any awards, but just like high-school, it’s a blip of time that is meant to be enjoyed for all of its overhyped glory. Hip Hop Hooray.
Bring It On: The Musical, Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St., 416-872-1212. To June 3. $35-$130.
