According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Writers Guild of America and screenwriter Jessica Bendinger filed a claim last week against BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL, which is to launch a national tour in October. Bendinger seeks damages from Beacon Communications Corp. for 'exploiting Bendinger's dramatic rights in the cheerleader-themed Bring It On without her consent, in violation of the guild agreement's "separated rights" provisions.'
Bendinger claims that she heard about the production while she was writing her own stage adaptaion of the film with Marc Platt. She revealed: "I was shocked. A writer works all her life trying to have a first hit. I was not treated well, given the revenue stream I created for them."
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High-flying original musical comedy "Bring It On: The Musical" launches its national tour with a six-week engagement at the Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre from November 1 through December 11, 2011, with opening night set for November 11. "Bring It On: The Musical" will open the Ahmanson's 2011-2012 season.
"Bring It On: The Musical" features libretto by Tony Award®-winner Jeff Whitty ("Avenue Q"), music and lyrics by Tony Award®-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda ("In the Heights"), music by Pulitzer and Tony Award®-winning composer Tom Kitt ("next to normal") and lyrics by Broadway lyricist Amanda Green ("High Fidelity"). The production is directed and choreographed by Tony Award® -winner Andy Blankenbuehler ("In the Heights").
In "Bring It On: The Musical," the high-stakes world of competitive cheerleading is intertwined with cutthroat high school politics to tell the story of Campbell, the heir apparent to the head cheerleader at Truman High School. Campbell is at the top of the cheerleader pyramid and she has it all -- a strong squad, a doting boyfriend and a straight path to the national championships. Her entire life has been dedicated to honing routines and staying within the strict rules and guidelines, but when a surprise letter arrives, Campbell's world is thrown upside down.
When the musical comedy premiered in its developmental production at the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta last month, Wendell Brock of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called "Bring It On: The Musical," ". . . one high-energy drink: fiercely funny writing, catchy hip-hop tunes and an explosively original mix of singing, acting, dancing and cheer."
"Bring It On: The Musical" is produced by Universal Pictures Stage Productions / Glenn Ross, Beacon Communications /Armyan Bernstein and Charlie Lyons, and Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacson, Executive Producers. Beacon and Universal have partnered over the past decade to produce the popular series of "Bring It On" films.
Season ticket subscriptions for the Ahmanson Theatre will be available in March. For additional information, please visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/BringItOn. Additional tour engagements will be announced soon. For more information on the national tour of "Bring It On: The Musical" please visit www.BringItOnMusical.com.
