Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...This young, huge cast does remarkably athletic feats on the stage of the Cadillac Palace Theatre, which any cheerleading person in your life would surely enjoy, especially given the way their field takes center stage, there being no focus-pulling athletes in the way. Frankly, the show could stand more routines. Just as to witness a Twyla Tharp show is to feel in awe of what human bodies (other than one's own) can do, so this show needs to showcase what its cast can do. "Bring It On" need fear the trite, the obvious and most surely the pink, but not the great, all-American cheer and the power of a passionate high-school memory. There, "Bring it On" is on terra firma."
Centerstage - Recommended
"... This new Broadway-bound musical, loosely based on the popular 2000 film, is fun, energetic, unique and still very much a work in progress. It features a book by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty (“Avenue Q”), music and lyrics by Tony winners Lin-Manuel Miranda (“In the Heights”) and Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”), featuring additional lyrics by Amanda Green (“High Fidelity”), and it is staged by “In the Heights” Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler. With this dream team, the savvy theatergoer might expect the perfect theatrical experience. But the production continues to be reworked."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...Tom Kitt’s pop-rock and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop leanings create a score somewhere between Heights and High School Musical, but with none of the earworm songs of either. Though well-sung and danced, Bring It On doesn’t rise above the formulaic music and juvenile story; still, it soars when the squads leave behind their personal drama and let their athleticism do the talking."
ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended
"...If this show is going to Broadway and if it expects to draw more than an audience of 12 year old girls, it best tighten the storyline and make the dialogue and lyrics understandable. The hip-hop/rap songs were equal opportunity unintelligible items with the chirpy female lyrics. The talented dancers dominate here. And, amazingly, the opening night audience loved this show! They cheered each time a cheerleader was tossed into the air by the guys. Amazing! I guess the popularity of cheer-leading is much more than I would of thought. But the show needs stronger singing and a more believable plot-fluff and gravity-defying choreography are not enough. Take any young girls in your family to see this teen-friendly show, they’ll scream in joy."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"... Take your high school cheerleading squad or your dance crew and see this show. They will love it. It teaches us all a lesson, however, and can relate to corporate America as well. Do you follow the rest to succeed in something you don't believe in just to be part of the team? Or do you do what you believe in when it is right? If you love what you do then you win!"
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...The entire cast is sensational and while there are some ‘leads” of note, it is the ensemble that truly makes a show like this work. Kate Rockwell,Janet Krupin,Neil Haskell, Elle McLemore ( the new girl on the squad),Michael Mindlin, Nicolas Womack, Dominique Johnson, Jason Gotay, Ariana DeBose, Adrienne Warren ( a marvelous Danielle, who will wow you with her voice and her moves as well as her character development),Calli Alden,Haley Hannah, Antwan Bethea,Dexter Carr,Courtney Corbeille,Brooklyn Alexis Freitag,Shonica Gooden,( who handles a solo number “Don’t Drop” with great vocal skill)Melody Mills, Michael Naone-Carter,David Ranck,Bettis Richardson, Sheldon Tucker Alysha Umphress ( another soloist with a rousing “Legendary”, Nick Blaemire ( “Cross The Line” soloist leading up to the finale)and Lauren Whitt. Bravo to you all! You deserve the standing ovation you received."
