Whilst productions do as much as they can to immerse audiences in the aesthetic of shows from the start, nothing can compare to the auditory and visual sensation of pastel that kick off But I’m a Cheerleader.
leaves us with a restlessness that comes from wanting to make a change in our own lives
Life is not all pink picket fences for 17 year old Megan (Jessica Aubrey) in Bill Augustin and Andrew Abrams’ adaptation of this cult classic, who is lifted out of her perfect life and shipped off to the rehabilitation center True Directions by her parents. There she meets Graham (Megan Hill), who shows Megan how to find acceptance with who she is and that life is more colourful than pink and blue.
Directed by Tania Azevedo, this musical is a light-hearted celebration of LGBTQ+ spaces and identity, whilst drawing attention to perpetuating erasure and vilification of the LGBTQ+ community by conservatives. Azevedo’s direction subtly brings attention to the political context and harsh realities of the rehabilitation center without overshadowing and dampening the coming of age story that is taking place before us. Her use of 4th wall breaks and the technical side of the production - in particular the quick costume changes as cast members switch characters - adds a tongue in cheek mocking undercurrent to the action. Augustin and Abrahms’ decision to use cheer chants to bookend scenes is a creative and hilarious way to signpost action but also adds to the development of our perception of the characters. The pair manage to balance sarcasm and genuineness in the libretto, creating amusing moments in the intensity of some songs like Step 2: Pink and Blue and Perfect Little World which contrast to the earnestness and triumphant Seeing New Colors.
David Shields’ set and costume design mockingly emphasizes the binary that is imposed in the show and reality, to the point of over-exaggeration and ridicule. Seeing this musical more than 20 years on, the 90s aesthetic of But I’m a Cheerleader could be considered foreign and outdated to a lot of us, and Shields takes this a step further in his pink and blue uniformity that is almost 1950s-esque in the brightness and constraint that the uniforms imply, only to be undermined by details of individualism as the musical progresses. The almost candy-cane like palette for True Directions is a sickeningly sweet and innocent backdrop to the action, something that we immediately distrust - as we should - and it is astonishing how much of a visceral reaction Shields’ design produces.
There is a playfulness to the show that the cast executes with a wink and a nudge to us, as if the characters themselves are in on the joke. It’s a great adaptation in that there is a cheesiness to it, but at no point do the tropes appear in any way overused or tired. The little ways that the cast manage to fit in character quirks into their movement and changes between characters makes it all seem ridiculous but in a completely grave manner. As Megan, Aubrey keeps a Sandra Dee-like sweetness and innocence throughout, only to surpass expectations and wow us over with the sheer power of her voice. To see her character progression as she incrementally shows more confidence in her performance, changing her vocal styles to suit this development. The hope and self-fulfillment in Seeing New Colors gives us an incredible rush, which is surpassed by her performance of Graham’s Kiss, that is jaw-dropping in of itself. Hill also plays on our assumptions in their interpretation of Graham. Their general aloofness and rebellious attitude is intriguing, but it’s not until their performance of If That’s What it Takes do we really see the depth and complexity of their character. Hill has a stunning alto register that breathes real emotion into every note and word that they perform, to the point where we just learn so much about the character. It is breath-taking to see Aubrey and Hill perform and to witness the range of their talent.
But I’m a Cheerleader is inspirational, and leaves us with a restlessness that comes from wanting to make a change in our own lives. This musical possesses a lot of joy despite the reality of the issues that it explores. Like its characters, But I'm a Cheerleader breaks all boundaries, both imagined and not. Completely unmissable, hopefully this is the beginning But I’m a Cheerleader’s journey to becoming a musical classic.
