Bring It On!

bioMusical in 2 Acts: Book - Jeff Whitty, inspired by the film, Bring It On; music and lyrics - Lin-Manuel Miranda

St. James theatre, Broadway - 1st August - 30th December, 2012 (limited engagement)

Synopsis

Bring It On: The Musical tells the story of the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through the thrill of extreme  competition. With a colorful crew of characters, an exciting fresh sound and explosive dance with aerial stunts, this hilariously universal story is sure to be everything you hoped for and nothing like you expected.

Story

Torrance Shipman anxiously dreams about her first day of senior year. Her boyfriend, Aaron (Richard Hillman), has left for college, and her cheerleading squad, the Toros, is aiming for a sixth consecutive national title. Team captain, Big  Red, is graduating and Torrance is elected to take her place. Shortly after her election, however, a team member is injured and can no longer compete. Torrance replaces her with Missy Pantone, a gymnast who recently transferred to the school with her brother, Cliff. Torrance and Cliff quickly develop a flirtatious friendship.

 After watching the Toros practice, Missy realizes the squad has been copying routines from a rival team that her previous high school competed against. She drives Torrance to Los Angeles, where they watch the East Compton Clovers perform routines that are virtually identical to the Toros'. Isis (Gabrielle Union), the Clovers' team captain, angrily confronts the two. Torrance learns that Big Red regularly attended the Clovers' practices to videotape and steal their routines. Isis informs Torrance of her plans to defeat the Toros at the regional and national championships, which the team has never attended due to their economic hardship.

 When Torrance tells the Toros about the routines, the team still votes in favour of using the current routine to win; Torrance reluctantly agrees. At the Toros' next home game, Isis and her teammates show up and perform the Toro's routine in front of the  whole school, humiliating them. The Toros realize that they have no choice but to learn  a different routine. In desperation, they employ a professional choreographer named  Sparky Polastri, which was suggested by Torrance's boyfriend, Aaron.

 At the Regionals, the team before the Toros performs the exact routine they had been  practicing. The Toros have no choice but to perform the very same routine. After the  debacle that ensues, Torrance speaks to a competition official and is told the routine was given to several other teams in California. As the defending champions, the Toros  are nevertheless granted their place at Finals, but Torrance is warned that a new  routine will be expected.

 Torrance, crushed by her failure to lead the team successfully, considers quitting.  Cliff encourages and supports her, intensifying their growing attraction. Aaron,  however, suggests that she is not leadership material and recommends that she step down  from her position. When Cliff sees Torrance and Aaron together, he severs his  friendship with Torrance. Although distressed, Torrance's confidence is renewed by  Cliff's encouragement and she convinces her unhappy team to create an innovative, new  routine instead. She breaks up with Aaron, realizing his inability to be supportive and  infidelity, but Cliff still refuses to forgive her.

 Meanwhile, the Clovers are initially unable to compete at Nationals due to financial  problems. This prompts Torrance to get her dad's company to sponsor the Clovers, but  Isis rejects the money and gets her team to Nationals by appealing to a talk show host  who grew up in their area. In the finals, the Toros place second, while the Clovers  win. However, Torrance and Isis find respect in each other. Cliff and Torrance share a  kiss.    

Musical Numbers

Act I

  1. Overture – Company
  2. What I Was Born to Do – Campbell, Skylar, Kylar, Steven, Bridget and Company
  3. Tryouts – Skylar
  4. One Perfect Moment – Campbell
  5. The Girl in the Stands – Eva †
  6. What I Was Born to Do (Reprise) – Company †
  7. One Perfect Moment (Reprise) – Company †
  8. Welcome to Jackson – Company
  9. Do Your Own Thing – Campbell, Bridget, Twig, Randall, Cameron, Danielle and Company
  10. We Ain't No Cheerleaders – Danielle, Nautica and La Cienega
  11. Friday Night, Jackson – Cameron, Twig, Danielle, Randall and Company
  12. Something Isn't Right Here – Campbell, Bridget, Eva, Steven, Skylar and Kylar
  13. Bring It On – Campbell and Company

Act II

  1. It's All Happening – Campbell, Danielle, Twig, Cameron, Nautica, La Cienega and Company
  2. Better – Skylar, Kylar and Eva
  3. It Ain't No Thing – Nautica, La Cienega and Bridget
  4. What Was I Thinking? – Campbell †
  5. Enjoy the Trip – Campbell and Randall
  6. Killer Instinct – Eva
  7. We're Not Done – Danielle and Campbell
  8. Legendary – Company (vocals by Alysha Umphress)
  9. Eva's Rant – Eva
  10. Cross the Line – Company (vocals by Joshua Henry)
  11. I Got You – Company

Principal roles

 

Original Broadway Cast Recording