Following a sellout Australian premiere in 2018, he spectacular stage show inspired by the cult classic movie of the same name, Bring It On The Musical returns to Melbourne next month before premiering in Perth and Sydney in August.
After a nationwide search auditioning over 400 hopefuls, Producer David Venn has announce the Australian cast of 28 triple-threat actor-singer-dancers and high-flying cheerleading champions for the Broadway smash hit musical.
In the lead role of Campbell, squad captain and cheer-royalty at Truman High School, true triple threat performer Kirby Burgess has been cast. Kirby recently wowed audiences as the Ringmaster in Barnum opposite Todd McKenney, and most notably starred as the Australian Baby in the 10-year anniversary global tour of Dirty Dancing – the Classic Story on Stage. Kirby has also appeared on screen opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby, in Ten’s Wonderland and Nine’s Here Come the Habibs!
Set to star alongside Kirby is newcomer Jasmine Smith, in the role of headstrong and hardworking Danielle, the dance crew leader at neighbouring Jackson High School. A final year musical theatre student at VCA, Jasmine’s past credits include The Production Company’s The King and I and Arts Centre Melbourne’s Morning Melodies.
“Our audition process has been truly extensive. It’s no mean feat to find a cast that can not only sing, dance and act, but also have the incredible acrobatic skills required to perform awe-inspiring flips, lifts and cheerleading stunts,” says producer David Venn.
“We are thrilled to have cast Kirby Burgess in the role of Campbell. She is perfectly suited to the role and brings a wealth of main stage experience with her,” said director Alister Smith – a multi Green Room Award nominee (Pacific Overtures, Urinetown! The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone).
“We are also lucky to have snapped up a dazzling new talent in Jasmine Smith for the role of Danielle. This is the first leading role for Jasmine, and it’s clear she has a big future ahead of her.”
Other new cast members performing principal roles include Dayton Tavares (Billy Elliot, In The Heights, West Side Story) as Twig, Coby Njoroge (Carmen, Saturday Night Fever) as Cameron, Baylie Carson (Hello, Dolly!, Dusty) as Bridget and Sebastian Johnston as Steven.
Reprising their principal roles in the sell-out Australian premiere is Karla Tonkich (Brigadoon, Legally Blonde, We Will Rock You, Grease) as Eva, Thomas McGuane (Jersey Boys, The Drowsy Chaperone) as Randall, Hollie James (Rocky Horror Show, My Fair Lady) as Kylar, Emily Thompson (Little Shop of Horrors, Urinetown) as Skylar, Samantha Bruzzese (The Bodyguard, In The Heights) as Nautica and Marty Alix (In the Heights) in the hilarious role of La Cienega.
The ensemble cast includes Jayden Wall, Luca Dinardo, Annie Chiswell, Ben Scarmozzino, Braide Mullane, Celina Yuen, Daniel Ham, Maxine Champion, Jordan Turner, Sena Fujiwara, Leigh Sleightholme and Ned Zaina. Explosive choreography and electrifying aerial stunts will be performed by world class cheerleading champions Ossie Mclean who originally hails from Perth, Daniel Buyeske, Katherine Abela and Caitlyn Hammond.
Choreographer Michael Ralph (Georgy Girl, Loving Repeating, The Boy from Oz 2018) returns fresh from his Green Room Award for Best Choreography for Bring It On The Musical’s Australian premiere.
Originally performed on Broadway and Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, Bring It On The Musical features music and lyrics by Lin-Manual Miranda (In the Heights, Hamilton), an original story by Tony Award winner, Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and lyrics by Broadway lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity).
Bring It On The Musical
Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 11 – 27 July 2019
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
His Majesty’s Theatre, 825 Hay Street, Perth
Season: 8 – 18 August 2019
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney
Season: 27 August – 8 September 2019
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.bringitonthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Original Australian Cast of Bring It On The Musical (supplied)