'Bring It On: The Musical' Makes a Touring Stop on Broadway

For the last seven months, "Bring It On: The Musical," a stage musical adaptation of the 2000 cheerleader film starring Kirsten Dunst, has been bringing spirit fingers to audiences all across North America. On July 12 the production and its entire cast land at Broadway's St. James Theatre for a limited engagement through Oct. 7. For the cast, many of whom are making their Broadway debut, the latest destination is just another stop on the road, at least as far as their contracts are concerned.

All will remain on a Short Engagement Touring (SET) Agreement Category 2, according to Maria Somma, a spokesperson for Actors' Equity Association. Normally actors can remain on SET contracts for a run in New York that lasts up to four weeks, but the union negotiated with the producers of "Bring It On" to extend the terms for the entire 12-week run.

"Because the cast is on an ongoing contract for a tour, of which New York is considered a single engagement, their current contracts go beyond the announced 12-week engagement for future cities on the tour," Somma said.

"We put in this language for New York anticipating that someone would be able to do this," she added, regarding the SET agreement. "Bring It On," to her knowledge, is the first to take advantage of this clause.

Somma said provisions have been put into place to increase salaries in New York. Normally, AEA grants actors production contracts for Broadway runs that are open or limited. On that contract, the minimum weekly salary for a Broadway performer is $1,703. Compare that with the minimum weekly salary for someone on a SET agreement contract, which is $741. When "Bring It On" moves to Broadway, all performers will be paid their SET weekly wage (in some cases higher than $741) and an extra $962, which represents the difference between the minimums for the standard production contract and for the SET category. So essentially, "Bring It On" cast members break even. Additional monies will be paid based on overtime and overage sales at the box office.

If the musical extends its run, cast members will continue in their current roles, said Rachel Hoffman, CSA of Telsey + Company. No auditions are taking place, as the entire cast, including understudies, will be moving with the show to New York.

"All the roles have at least two covers that come from the ensemble or swings," said Hoffman, who began casting work with "Bring It On" in the summer of 2009. The work boasts an impressive creative team, with a handful of Tonys and Pulitzers among them. The music is by Lin-Manuel Miranda ("In the Heights") and Tom Kitt ("Next to Normal"), with lyrics by Amanda Green ("High Fidelity") and Miranda.  Jeff Whitty ("Avenue Q") adapted Jessica Bendinger's screenplay for the stage, and Andy Blankenbuelher ( "In the Heights") is director-choreographer. Casting for the tour took place in 2011.

Taylor Louderman, who takes on the role Dunst originated in the film, heads up the touring cast of actors, cheerleaders, and gymnasts, all of whom will be coming to Broadway. "I don't think that this is going to be something that a lot of other shows will do. We have the name 'Bring It On' behind us. And we have Universal as our producers," said Louderman of the musical's moving from tour to Broadway. "I think this was an exception. I think if we do well in New York, they'll keep it there as long as we're making money."

Somma added that if the production decides to extend, even by a week, the producers will have to renegotiate the contracts with AEA. But she doesn't anticipate that happening.