BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL

Mossley AO&DS

Director: Samuel Maurice

Musical Director Simon Murray

Choreographers: Emma Kelly and Kaireen McDonald

 

This show is about the crazy world of American competitive cheerleading/ It is another musical makeover of a successful film telling the story of Campbell, who is captain of the Truman High School cheer squad. She loses everything when she is moved to the hip-hop Jackson High School. Full of revenge she forms a new Jackson cheer squad. It is during this journey, however, that Campbell realises that friendships are more important than winning.

 

To enable these various events to be told, a composite set, with truck insets was skilfully designed by John Buckley, and built by the company. There was a thrust stage where all of the action was to take place. As important as the set was, it was the lighting and sound which brought this featherweight show to life.

 

The direction brought out more than just the pompom and ra-ra chants. All the characters were well defined. The large cast was animated, had sparkle and had the audience cheering for their favourite squad.

 

The music is all important to the success of the piece. There were rap inspired numbers and although none of them was actually memorable, it was the delivery and sheer exuberance that captivated the audience. The music interpretation from the band and the company for this High School musical was faultless.

 

Debut choreographers, Emma and Kaireen, created elaborate routines complete with cartwheels and tower formations, all executed with pizzazz.

 

There is no denying that “Bring it On” is ensemble driven. The contribution by all members of the company was at the heart of the storyline. For this production, the stage company was totally energised leaving the audience feeling quite exhausted.

The support and leads were equally robust, but there has to be a special recognition of Tashion Ezekel, as La Cienega, and as Bridget, Jordanne Woodward has such a natural flair for comedy. Bridget is the one-time squad mascot who enjoys her sexual awakening. Bright and funny Joanne conveyed the humorous moments as she took Bridget through her changing experiences.

 

The three fun, and fierce leading characters were so well cast. Imogen Hart, as the charismatic cool, Danielle, Macy Counsell, as the rival cheerleader, Eva, and Ellie Birtles, as the revengeful Campbell. These performers had more than the “triple threat”. Not only could they act, sing and dance, they took the show by its crochet and quavers and in so doing, scooped up the rest of the cast and drove the show along with relentless energy.

 

This show is up there with “Rent” and “In the Heights” but it needs a group like MAODS to “Bring it On”.

 

Congratulations