‘Bring It On’ on Broadway gives credit to movie screenwriter

When the cheerleading musical “Bring It On” was getting ready to begin its national tour at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in 2011, some of the marketing material referred to it as an “original” creation.

But then screenwriter Jessica Bendinger initiated legal action against the musical, saying that the show is based on the 2000 movie of the same name that she wrote. Bendinger enlisted the aid of the Writers Guild of America, arguing that the musical’s producers never acquired her exclusive rights.

The two parties ultimately reached an undisclosed settlement before the opening at the Ahmanson on Oct. 30.

“Bring It On,” which is scheduled to open on Broadway on Aug. 1, now features a credit that cites the screenwriter. The credit reads: “Inspired by the Motion Picture Bring It On Written by Jessica Bendinger.”

The musical, which is currently in preview performances at the St. James Theatre in New York, has a limited Broadway run through Oct. 7.

“Bring It On” is unusual in that it had a North American tour before arriving on Broadway. (Most high-profile shows open on Broadway first and then embark on a tour.) The show boasts high-profile writing talent in the form of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Kitt, Jeff Whitty and Amanda Green.

“Bring It On” had its world premiere at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in 2011 before the national tour.

RELATED:

‘Bring It On: The Musical’ is in a spirited legal tussle

‘Bring It On’ screenwriter reaches settlement with stage musical

Lin-Manuel Miranda joins creative squad for ‘Bring It On’ musical