Bitingly relevant and sprinkled with sass

By Josh Wainright, Piedmont Players Theatre

Bitingly relevant, sprinkled with sass and inspired by the hit film about the cut-throat world of competitive cheerleading, Bring It On The Musical takes audiences on a high-flying journey that is filled with the complexities of high school friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness.

Uniting some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, Bring It On features an original story by Tony Award winner, Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights, Hamilton), music by Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning composer, Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), lyrics by Broadway lyricist, Amanda Green (High Fidelity), and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Campbell (Graham Harrington) is cheer-royalty at Truman High School and her senior year should prove the most “cheertastic” — she’s been named captain of the squad! But, an unexpected redistricting has forced her to spend her final year of high school at the neighboring hard-knock Jackson High School. Despite having the deck stacked against her, Campbell befriends the dance crew girls and, along with their headstrong and hardworking leader, Danielle (Alaina Newell), manages to form a powerhouse squad for the ultimate competition — the National Championships.

Piedmont Players Theatre’s final youth production of the season, opening next Thursday at the Norvell Theater, is directed and designed by Reid Leonard and introduces musical director Caroline Stephenson and Choreographers Brooke Baldwin and Tanner Groppi.

Due to the many complex cheerleading routines in the show, PPT has partnered with Sara Biles and Lauren Dendy of Elevation Cheer Company who have choreographed the same towering human pyramids and high-octane basket tosses you’d expect to see on ESPN.

The energetic young cast is one of the most diverse to ever perform on the Norvell stage; including actors from Salisbury, China Grove, Mt. Ulla, Mooresville, Statesville, Oakboro, Thomasville, Albermarle, Concord, Linwood and Lake Norman.

The kind of coming of age tale that appeals to tweens and teens alike, PPT’s Bring It On boasts diverse characters, youthful and witty dialogue and a overall

theme that it’s always ok to be yourself. With an exciting fresh sound and explosive

choreography and aerial stunts, this hilarious, universal story is sure to be everything that you hoped for and nothing like you expected.

PPT’s Bring It On: The Musical plays at the Norvell Theater July 13-15 and 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinees July 15, 16 and 22 at 2:30 p.m. Adults $14, students/seniors $12. Producing Partners: F&M Bank and Salisbury Community Foundation. For tickets call 704-633-5471 or purchase online at PiedmontPlayers.com

Meet The Cast

CAMPBELL: Graham Harrington, High Point

DANIELLE: Alaina Newell, Concord

NAUTICA: Emma Theriot, Statesville

RANDALL: William Clark, Salisbury

LA CIENEGA: Henry Thomas, Albemarle

STEVEN: Michael Meres, China Grove

KYLAR: Emma Shelton, Statesville

EVA: Mia Rice, Kannapolis

TWIG: Sirravada Norng, Lexington

BRIDGET: Allison Tesh, Salisbury

SKYLAR: Cortlyn Kerns, Oakboro

CAMERON: Ben Moleta, Statesville

ENSEMBLE: Abby Campion, Salisbury • Alyssa Alley, Salisbury • Anleigh Hall, Mooresville • Ava Drexel, Salisbury • Brenna Herbst, Mooresville • Erin Amstein, Statesville • Frances Gray Riggs, Lexington • Garrett Jennings, Thomasville • Hayden Palmer, China Grove • Jack Wilhelm, Mt Ulla • Kalista Heizer, Mooresville • Kaylee Hawley, Salisbury • Kelli Dollard, Spencer • Sara Pross, Mooresville • Saraisabella Hargrave, Linwood • William Lassiter, Oakboro • Timothy Brausch, Concord