Bring it on, the musical will have you dancing along

Out Front Colorado was lucky to get an interview with Gregory Haney who stars in a transgender role as La Cienega in Bring it On, the Musical, coming to the Buell Theatre.

Haney spoke eloquently: “My character, La Cienega is part of the dance crew at Jackson High School when, Campbell, the cheerleader from Truman High School, comes and convinces us to start a cheerleading squad. La Cienega’s the girl who can be your best friend, but don’t cross her the wrong way,” he said. “Once she’s your friend she’s your’s for life. Her theme for life is do your own thing, live to the fullest, and have fun while looking your best.”

When asked about the challenges of playing a transgender role Haney said, “Well, [there’s the obvious in that] it’s hard playing a woman because I’m a man. Transgender roles are difficult, because I want to be honest and to represent the community correctly. There is a thin fine line in which I could easily take the role to the campy side or to a stereotypical characterization.” Haney admitted that he really wanted the audience to love her [the character], regardless of her gender identity, and it was so important to the actor that he portray her correctly so the trans community would respect his portrayal.

“I want her to be a three-dimensional character,” Haney explained, “not just a boy in a skirt.”

The storyline, according to Haney, goes something like this: Truman High School’s cheerleading squad is comprised of cornucopia kids who have had everything handed to them without having to work. Jackson High School (which is quite the opposite) is the inner city squad that relies on individual style, individual presentation and really expressing from the heart. The core of the musical deals with the idea that, as Haney explained, “when you’re comfortable in your own shoes then with dedication and hard work anything can be achieved.”

Visually, the show is magnificent. There are four jumbo screens that move around the stage. It’s a sort of industrial minimalist set that’s free of huge set pieces. There are some lockers, cafeteria tables and a crash mat. The costume, set and lighting designers are all at the top of their game.

The choreography is such a mash-up its hard to describe. The cheerleading world and Andy Blankenbuehler’s world of dance are mixed together. Hard-hitting cheerleading combos rock the house with their athletic moves. Jackson High School’s cheer leading world involves a lot of hip-hop moves, and a few jazz techniques thrown in for good measure.

The music is unlike anything you’ve ever heard, according to the actor.

“And the creative team is such a cluster of miraculous creative individuals it’s incredible,” Haney said.

The creative team includes 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), lyrics by Broadway lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity) and music supervision by Tony and Grammy Award-winner Alex Lacamoire (In The Heights) and directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights).

When asked how Bring it On might be compared to other musicals such as High School Musical and Grease, Haney said that the only commonality between all the musicals is the high school setting.

But Bring it On really has characters that “are paving their own way and trying to find love and move forward into the world as the best adults they possibly can,” Haney said. He went on to say that the reception for the show has been tremendous since the trial run in Atlanta at the Alliance Theatre. And the viewers’ enthusiasm seems to keep getting better as the crew discovered when they toured to The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles.

When asked specifically about the audience response, Haney said that the show is drawing such a mix of age groups, who are all really loving it.

“If you like excitement, adrenaline and a good belly laugh you should definitely see this show.”

Haney said the musical does not follow the plot of the movie and the only similarity is the name. “That’s what’s great about it,” Haney said. “It’s nothing like anything you could possibly expect.”

The actor revealed that his primary goal is to enjoy the ride and to keep doing what he loves by being a part of strong productions he believes in.

‘Bring it On, the Musical’ plays at The Buell Theatre from Jan. 10 through Jan. 21, 2012.Tickets start at $25. For more info, call 303-893-9582 or online at http://denvercenter.org.