New Trier Performs 'Bring It On: The Musical'

From New Trier HS: Bring It On, the hit musical that tells the story of a cheerleading squad and their drive to win nationals while striving for equality, will be performed on Monday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 4, Wednesday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. in the Winnetka Campus McGee Theatre.

Campbell is a student at the very affluent Truman High School who leads her cheer squad when district lines are suddenly redrawn and she finds herself being transferred to the inner city school of Jackson High. There is no cheerleading at this school, and the extracurricular opportunities are sparse when compared with Truman. Campbell approaches the Dance Team at Jackson and tries to convince them to start a cheerleading squad. They are resistant, but when Campbell lies and says the winning team at Nationals is given college scholarships, the Jackson High students, seeing this as a path to be able to attend college, are in. As they prepare for Nationals and a competition with Truman High, Campbell has to get her team ready and keep her deception about the rewards for winning a secret. Along the way she learns about friendship, equality, and what it really means to be part of a team.

“The themes of Bring It On are complex and require nuance from student performers,” Director Ryan Dunn said. “In addition, the incredible music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tom Kitt is very demanding. In working with this group of freshmen and sophomores, I have been so impressed at how they’ve not only risen to these challenges, but exceeded my expectations in every way. This show has been one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had in directing, and I can’t wait to share the energy and excitement we are having during rehearsals with a live audience.”

Bring It On is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (www.MTIShows.com). Music is by Tom Kitt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, lyrics are by Amanda Green and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the Libretto is by Jeff Whitty.

Image via New Trier HS