THEATRE + COMEDY

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents Bring It On: The Musical, which runs January 24 - February 5, 2012 at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Bring It On: The Musical is the explosive new musical comedy that raises the stakes on over-the-top high school rivalries. Set against the world of competitive cheerleading, this powerhouse new show hilariously proves that winning isn’t everything when it means losing something - or someone - you really care about. Bring It On: The Musical combines an exciting fresh sound, gravity-defying choreography, and a thrilling story to create a total theatrical event worth cheering for.

Bring It On: The Musical unites some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, including Tony Award-winning writer Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q); Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights); Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity); Tony Award-winning orchestrator Alex Lacamoire (Wicked); and Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler (In The Heights).

“Assembling this extraordinary company has been an incredibly exciting – and thorough – endeavor,” said the musical’s Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler. “We found an amazing group that sings, dances, stunts and cheers. They are a talented group of newcomers, led by two dynamic leading ladies. I can't wait for audiences to see them.”

Leading the cast are Taylor Louderman and Adrienne Warren. Louderman, playing the role of Campbell, is a 20 year-old newcomer from the University of Michigan. Warren, previously seen in the National Tour of Dreamgirls, portrays Danielle, a role she originated in Bring It On: The Musical’s developmental production at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta earlier this year.

Ryann Redmond, a 2011 graduate of NYU, recreates the role of Bridget that she originated in the Alliance Theatre Production. Elle McLemore (Disney’s “Suite Life on Deck”) plays Eva and Jason Gotay (Broadway’s Rising Stars and Rent) stars as Randall.

Also starring are Ariana DeBose (Hairspray, “So You Think You Can Dance”) as Nautica, Gregory Haney (Memphis) as La Cienega, Neil Haskell (“So You Think You Can Dance”) as Steven, Janet Krupin as Kylar, Kate Rockwell (Legally Blonde) as Skylar and Nick Womack as Twig.

Additional cast members include Calli Alden, Nikki Bohne, Dexter Carr, Shonica Gooden, Haley Hannah, Rod Harrelson, Casey Jamerson, Dominique Johnson, Michael Mindlin, Adrianna Parson and Bettis Richardson.

The ensemble also features some of the nation’s most skilled competitive cheerleaders. Their combined achievements include over 25 national and 50 team titles in gymnastics and choreography. They were selected in collaboration with Varsity, the global leader in competitive cheerleading. Those members include Antwan Bethea, Danielle Carlacci, Michael Naone-Carter, Courtney Corbeille, Dahlston Delgado, Brooklyn Freitag, Melody Mills, David Ranck, Billie Sue Roe, Sheldon Tucker and Lauren Whitt.

When the musical comedy premiered in its developmental production at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta earlier this year, Wendell Brock of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called Bring It On: The Musical “one high-energy drink with fiercely funny writing, catchy hip-hop tunes and an explosively original mix of singing, acting, dancing and cheer.” Audrey S. Belle of AOL.com raved that Bring It On: The Musical “is guaranteed to be everything you wished for, nothing like you expected, but exactly what you will love!”

In celebration of Bring It On: The Musical, Theatre Under The Stars will offer a number of special events and opportunities:

• Bring It On Pep Rally: Sunday, January 8, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. Join TUTS along with the Houston Rockets Power Dancers and mascot Clutch at Hard Rock Café for an afternoon of free dance performances, games, free food and more in celebration of Bring It On: The Musical!
• Bring It On Film Screening at Sundance Cinemas: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7 p.m. Join TUTS for a free screening of the film at Sundance Cinemas, the newly opened movie theater in downtown Houston’s Bayou Place.
• Teen Night at TUTS: Wednesday, January 25, 2012. TUTS spreads the love of musical theatre to the next generation with Teen Night at TUTS! Any adult who purchases a full price ticket can bring a child under 18 for free and enjoy pre-show activities in the Grand Lobby. Visit TUTS.com/Events to purchase tickets.
• OUT@TUTS: Thursday, January 26, 2012. A post-show, cabaret-style event at Artista Restaurant for TUTS’ GLBT friends. Visit TUTS.com/OUT for more information.
• Workshop for Students Ages 7 -12: Friday, January 27, 2012 from 5 – 7 p.m. Get ready to learn the art of blending cheerleading with musical theatre choreography. Visit TUTS.com/Events to take advantage of this offer.

Although Broadway shows are not traditionally rated, TUTS has determined that Bring It On: The Musical would be rated the movie equivalent of a PG-13 rating. Contains some profanity and some suggestive choreography.

Photo credit: Photo by Craig Schwartz.