Is 'Bring It On' Gonna Be Brought Down?

Photo by Kevin Amato for Out

We're excited about the thrilling, campy, cheerleader-themed new musical based on the original Bring It On movie (which starred Kirsten Dunst and was surprisingly good). In fact, we spoke to the team behind it in our September issue, including the show's writer, Jeff Whitty to preview the upcoming October 30 opening at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre. But now it looks like there could be trouble.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film's original screenwriter, Jessica Bendinger, has filed a claim through the Writers Guild of America, that says production company Beacon Communications Corp. is exploiting her rights without her consent. In an interview, Bendinger stated: "Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. Compensation is."

We loved that transgender cheerleader La Cienega (played by male actor Gregory Haney and pictured above second from left) was embodying the "be yourself" mantra. Most audience members might not realize that La Cienaga is played as transgendered, but we hope the play gets off the ground so they can at least experience it and figure it out for themselves.