Bring It On: The Musical

National Tour

Providence Performing Arts Center

April 24, 2012

Background: Rounding up the season at the Providence Performing Arts Center is Bring It On: The Musical. Likely viewed as the underdog in a season that included Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, and The Addams Family, there were many preconceptions about the show that bypassed Broadway to become a national tour. Viewers have termed the show “predictable”, “cheesy”, “for teeny-boppers”, and “wasted talent”, despite a creative team that boasts credits which include the Tony award winning musical, In the Heights, and the Tony award winning and Pulitzer prize winning musical, Next to Normal. 

Synopsis: Campbell, a popular cheerleader, is about to start her senior year of high school, and as captain of her cheerleading squad, she dreams of taking the team to “Nationals”.  Her plans are destroyed when a seemingly sweet sophomore cheerleader named Eva overtakes the squad by having Campbell transferred to Jackson High School which, to Campbell’s dismay, does not have a cheerleading squad. At the multicultural Jackson High, Campbell finds herself in the minority for the first time, but sets out to start a new cheerleading squad and fulfill her dream of going to nationals. 

Comments: If you are planning to see Bring It On, I would recommend forgetting what you’ve heard or what you think you know about the show, and enter the theatre with a clean slate.  Bring It On was not at all what I expected. The rap-infused, R&B score screams Lin Manuel Miranda- this is not a bad thing- and leaves you humming some of the more memorable melodies as you leave the theatre. The choreography included three extensive cheer routines that were quite impressive and obviously very different from what you typically see in the theatre. Seeing the actors perform flips in mid-air does put you at the edge of your seat. I enjoyed the choreography the most. The story-line was predictable, but embellished with enjoyable songs and dance/cheer numbers.  What I liked about the story-line is that it didn’t copy the movies’. It was a new story that preserved the same themes as in the movies: high school rivalry, interracial friction, and teamwork to name a few. 

Taylor Louderman and Adrienne Warren played rivals Campbell and Danielle respectively and I thought they had great chemistry together.  I especially liked Adrienne Warren’s voice and I immediately thought that she would make a great Felicia in Memphis!  Ryann Redmond as Bridget, the unpopular, dorky, perpetual school mascot turned cheerleader, probably steals the show.  She nailed all of her lines and had the audience cracking up and rooting for her character. I really enjoyed her performance of “Ain’t No Thing” in particular. Kate Rockwell and Janet Krupin as Skylar and Kylar, Campbell’s shallow cheerleading friends, were also very funny. Elle McLemore as Eva played evil very well. Another strong voice was that of Jason Gotay who played Randall. 

The Verdict: while Bring It On isn’t likely to win any Tony Awards, it is a fun night at the theatre. If you want to see some great cheerleading stunts, listen to some catchy music by the very talented Lin Manuel Miranda and Tom Kitt, and have some laughs, check out Bring It On at PPAC through 4/28/12!  Or check out the recently released music sampler which contains three songs from the show- "It's All Happening", "Ain't No Thing", and "Enjoy the Trip". 

Chicago

Broadway, Ambassador Theatre

March 24, 2012, matinee performance

Background: I don’t know why it has taken me so long to see the 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago! It’s only been running for 16 years! Having seen and enjoyed the movie version (and knowing that the live show is almost always better than the movie), I have been meaning to see Chicago on Broadway for some time. My opportunity came this past December when my father asked for Chicago tickets for Christmas.  And so a father-daughter trip to NYC was planned for March 24th to see Chicago on Broadway.  

Synopsis: Chicago, the 4th longest running Broadway musical, chronicles the intertwined stories of Roxie Hart, an adulterous murderess, and Velma Kelly, a vaudeville performer turned murderess, as they await trial on death row. Both women become instant celebrities in the media due to their “crimes of passion”, and set out to use this newfound celebrity to their advantage. Set in 1920‘s Chicago, the show pokes fun at a corrupt criminal justice system that glamorizes murder and crime.  

Comments: After finally seeing the Broadway production of Chicago, I now understand why it’s the longest running Broadway revival! As the orchestra begins the familiar first notes of the opening number, “All That Jazz”,  the audience is immediately transported to 1920’s Chicago where crime, passion, and corruption abound.  The show is a triple threat in itself with great vaudeville music by Kander and Ebb, smart, sexy choreography, and a clever, entertaining storyline!  

While the entire cast was excellent, Amra-Faye Wright as Velma and Bianca Marroquin as Roxie gave standout performances and had great chemistry together as the two murderesses vying for the spotlight.  I remember not liking the character of Roxie when I saw the movie version a few years ago, but Bianca Marroquin’s portrayal of Roxie is actually quite charming, and I couldn’t dislike the character this time!  She did a lot of little things to make the character more funny- mannerisms, accents, facial expressions, etc. and brought out the more childish side of the character. I thought she was a great actress and I would see her again in any show. 

I think everyone who sees Chicago looks forward to Mama Morton’s number, “When You’re Good To Mama” and Carol Woods did not disappoint.  She can really SING. All I can say is WOW.  Another great performance was Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart. His performance of “Mister Cellophane” was heartbreaking. Poor Amos. 

I loved that the orchestra was on the stage and I thought the conductor’s involvement in the storyline was creative as well.  

Favorite numbers included: “All That Jazz” (it pulls you right into the story and sets the mood for the show), “Cell Block Tango” (very funny and very entertaining), “When You’re Good To Mama” (as already stated, Carol Woods can sing), “We Both Reached for the Gun” (love the “puppet”), “Roxie” (especially her long monologue leading up to the song), and “Mister Cellophane” (again, poor Amos). 

The Verdict (no pun intended): If you’re in NYC and can’t decide which show to see, Chicago is a sure thing. Check out Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre!