Bring it On
at Irvine

Reviewed on February 28, 2019

Elena Plumb
St. Margaret's Episcopal
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Irvine's "Bring it On" Flies High
written by Elena Plumb, a senior at St. Margaret's Episcopal School

Campbell's teenage dreams are coming true; she has an adoring boyfriend and the Truman High cheer squad at her command. Alas, her perfect world crumbles when redistricting plants her in the rough-hewn halls of Jackson High, a school with no cheerleading squad. How will she ever survive? Marked by skillfully executed choreography, energetic performances, and boundless spirit, Irvine's "Bring it On" flips, tosses, and tumbles its way to triumph.

Grace Simmons shines as Campbell, capturing the pep and pride of a cheer caption through her bouncy gait and high-pitched, sunny tone. However, as Campbell navigates her newfound "outsider" status, Simmons unveils her once-haughty character's vulnerability by hiding her face behind textbooks and begging strangers to show her the ropes.

Complimenting Simmons's effervescence, Jake Akita (Randall) adopts a relatively composed stage presence. With slouched shoulders and his hands tucked in his pockets, Akita exudes unassuming, boyish charm.

Emme Silva (Danielle) owns the stage with edge and ferocity, sassily flipping her hair and swaying her hips as she walks. While her character shields herself with a seemingly impenetrable shell, Silva's softened voice and forgiving smile during "We're Not Done" reveal Danielle's oft-hidden tenderness.

Julia Brophy, as the lovable outcast Bridget, bumbles across the stage and offers Campbell "pointers" about enduring social ostracism. After earning unexpected praise at Jackson for her quirky style and curvy figure, Bridget gains confidence, exemplified by Brophy's increasingly tall posture and growing resonance.

Costumes by Rylee Terry and Shanni Wu reinforce the most crucial character traits. Wearing a preppy cardigan and plaid skirt at an offbeat, inner-city high school, Campbell sticks out like a sore thumb. Conversely, Nautica (Sara Moinuddin) and La Cienega (Lorenzo Isacs) fit right in as they rock sequins and ripped jeans. To strengthen class distinction, a central tension in the musical, the cleanly-cut Truman uniforms contrast Jackson's looser, less refined counterparts.

Kaz Shade's projections not only establish setting in the absence of a major set, with images of lockers or burger menus illuminating a backdrop, but they advance the plot. When Skylar (Rylee Terry) receives a failing grade and immediately FaceTimes Campbell, Shade projects the conversation to display her contorted face and the mascara streaking down her cheeks.

Charming, witty, and, to borrow a word from the score, "legendary," Irvine's high-energy performance emphasizes the value of camaraderie and integrity over victory.

Danika McKee
Mater Dei
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Irvine High School's Bring It On Sticks the Landing
written by Danika McKee, a senior at Mater Dei High School

Irvine High School's Bring It On follows the story of high school senior, Campbell, as she finally gets to take on the challenge of her dreams: Truman Cheer Captain. After her plans for the season go awry, Campbell has to adapt and overcome losing all that she has known.

As the preppy and perky cheer captain, Grace Simmons (Campbell) stuns the crowd with her powerful performance of "What I Was Born to Do", setting up the show and revealing the weight of her new leadership title. In the second act, Simmons and her love interest, Jake Akita (Randall), share a beautifully tender moment in "Enjoy the Trip", exposing their dedication to each other. With Akita's smooth talking and warm voice, he helps Simmons relax and have some fun.

When Campbell is forced to move to Jackson High School, she encounters head of their dance crew, Danielle (Emme Silva). Exuding pure swag with her suave walk, Silva intimidates all students around her. Along with two backup girls by Silva's side, Nautica and La Cienega (Sara Moinuddin and Lorenzo Isacs), the trio gives Campbell another chance to live out her dream by giving her the opportunity to join their crew. Moinuddin bursts in with her sassy and spicy personality, commanding the stage with her exuberant power and confidence. With his flamboyant flair, Isacs struts across the stage and on the lunch tables in his high heels, captivating the audience with his seamlessly silky dance moves.

Costumes design (Rylee Terry) rises to the challenge of taking on a musical that occurs over a whole year. Each opposing school has a different style. While Truman students dress more high-class, preppy, and clean, the Jackson students have a ragged and hip hop-inspired style. Throughout the production, numerous costume changes occur, while each individual character maintains their own unique style.

Designed by Kaz Shade, projections are used as a way to establish environment as a result of a minimalistic set design. Whether it be a burger menu, a bulletin board in a bedroom, or a silhouette of the devil enraged in fire, the projections enhance the scene and set the mood.

Overall, Irvine High School's Bring It On, shows the true high school experience, full of ups, downs, stunts, and rising to the top.

Carlie McCleary
San Clemente
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Three cheers for Irvine High School's production of "Bring It On!"
written by Carlie McCleary, a senior at San Clemente High School

In Irvine High's fantastic rendition of the movie-turned-musical "Bring It On!", Campbell is practically cheer royalty, but due to an unexpected redistricting, she must spend her senior year at the not-so-nice Jackson High. Befriending the captain of her new school's dance troupe, Campbell forms her own cheerleading squad and discovers that no trophy is worth more than being true to herself and her new cheer family.

With kind eyes and palpable determination, Grace Simmons masters the role of Campbell, placing substance behind the typical cheerleader trope. Each note she sings is powerful and clear, resonating beautifully throughout the stage, particularly in "One Perfect Moment."

With headphones sloppishly strung around his neck, Jake Akita as Randall brings compelling boyish charisma to the Jackson High DJ. His vibrant tenor compliments his playful flirtatiousness with Campbell in "Enjoy the Trip," creating a believable foundation for their budding romance.

Equally compelling is Emme Silva as Campbell's jaded, fiery co-captain Danielle. Silva walks with a confident swagger and her shoulders back to convey her position as "Alpha" at Jackson High School. Contrasting her alluring hip hop moves and soothing voice in "We ain't no Cheerleaders", Silva stands still and stares intently when accepting Campbell's apology.

Grace Simmons and Emme Silva develop a convincing power struggle with their dueling eyes and dance battles. However, when they unite, their friendship is evident in the actresses' heartwarming embraces and harmonious voices in "We're Not Done."

As an eyecatching unit, Sara Moinuddin and Lorenzo Isacs are the fierce Nautica and La Cienega respectively. While convincing Bridget to love herself一curves and all, Moinuddin's powerhouse vocals compliment Isacs' sassy dancing in "It Ain't No Thing." Quirky and self conscious, Julia Brophy embodies the plus-size powerhouse Bridget. Brophy, with each clunky movement and enthusiastic one liner, consistently nails each comedic beat.

Projection design by Kaz Shade captures the contemporary nature of the upbeat story. With his use of live video chat and phone recording, Shade projects Campbell's hilarious phone activity on the stage's white backdrop; this innovative technique highlights Campbell's growing fear of missing out while beginning school away from her old friends.

With a cast full of pep and a crew full of ingenuity, Irvine High School's "Bring It On!" serves as a reminder that those who value hard work and friendship are high school's true winners.