As cheerleaders greet the audience through rhythmic pop and dynamic stunts, Ateneo Blue Repertory’s 28th newbie production is sure to lift audiences’ spirits. Bring It On: The Musical, inspired by Jessica Bendinger’s cult-classic film (2000), is an iconic tale exploring the highs and lows of high school drama. From well-deserved successes to unforeseen roadblocks, this show delivers its enjoyable plot through captivating vocals and thrilling dances.
The musical follows the high-spirited Truman High School senior Campbell Davis (Giulia Martinez, understudy Pamela Viloria) as she steps into her final year with a promising cheerleading career. Davis meets two important people during this critical time: The wide-eyed freshman Eva (Ezri Mitra) and the sassy Danielle (Nikki Bengzon) from a rival school. As she builds relationships within and outside her team, Davis discovers that people are often more than what meets the eye.
Led by directors Abi Sulit and Franco Ramos, Bring It On’s cast portrays the tensions of adolescent sports rivalries through the story of a high school cheerleader with her eyes on the prize. Bring It On delicately balances the show’s plot with romantic bouts and strained friendship—themes which some may recall from their own high school experiences.
Gripping acting and music pushed the story forward as the actors nailed the fickle emotions of their high school personas. These cheerleaders portrayed jealousy all too well, as competitive tensions were evident even in song. And under musical director Sulit’s guidance, Bring It On ensures that the powerhouse vocals match the personalities of each cheer camp. The first number of the show, “What I Was Born To Do,” is an upbeat performance by the charming Truman squad. On the other hand, their rival is introduced with the crisp rap performance of “Welcome to Jackson.” Another memorable song number to watch out for reveals the true cause behind all the unfortunate events in Davis’ life.
Yet, some of the play’s solos lack the same appeal. In Martinez’ “One Perfect Moment,” the lead performer pales in comparison to co-stars Mitra and Bengzon: These latter two own the stage through more compelling performances. Mitra’s solo tell-all in “Killer Instinct” and Bengzon’s parts in the duet “We’re Not Done” radiate star power both musically and dramatically.
Bring It On sets itself apart by taking on the daunting task of combining theater and cheerleading stunts. Under choreographer Ramos’ watch, many of the show’s big numbers, such as “Legendary,” captures the essence of cheer competitions: Energetic, fast-paced, and lively. But what truly stands out is “Cross the Line,” an intense showcase of the cheerleaders dancing their hearts out in the cheer competition. However, as many of the cast members may still be new to theater, exhaustion was evident during the few final songs. Some minor blunders in dance execution became noticeable, but these can be excused given the play’s demanding movements.
Despite the exhilarating stunts, Bring It On’s set by Anissa Aguila was less fitting for a free-spirited cheer squad. Save for the unexpected yet appealing leprechaun mascot midway into the show, the set pieces and props were kept to a bare minimum. The lack of creativity and color in many props were too bland for the production’s high school setting.
However, the costumes compensated for the set and packed more of a punch, thanks to costume and makeup designer Von Carolino. The cheerleading attire withstood the play’s lively displays of spirited stunts and had a strikingly accurate resemblance towards foreign cheerleading performances usually seen on TV.
Promising performances, appealing costumes, and stunning choreography help Bring It On come to life with high spirits. blueREP’s newbies succeed in showcasing the world of competitive high schoolers cheering their way to the top. Breaking grounds with their first production, this cast will definitely have higher expectations of them for their upcoming productions.