‘Bring It On’ screenwriter reaches settlement with stage musical
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The screenwriter of the 2000 cheerleading movie ‘Bring It On’ has reached a settlement in her legal dispute with the musical stage version that will begin a national tour Sunday at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Jessica Bendinger, who penned the hit movie starring Kirsten Dunst, claimed that the musical’s producers never acquired or received permission to use her exclusive rights, according to a request for arbitration filed by the Writers Guild of America.
The guild was seeking arbitration with Beacon Communications, an L.A.-based entertainment company that is the producer of the musical along with Universal Pictures Stage Productions.
On Friday, Universal released a statement saying that Bendinger and Beacon had resolved the claim. ‘We are pleased to have amicably resolved this matter to the mutual satisfaction of all parties involved,’ said Bendinger and Beacon partner Charlie Lyons in the statement.
No details of the settlement were released. The abritration had been expected to take place in early 2012. A spokeswoman for Universal said that the settlement was reached outside of legal proceedings.
Lawyers for Bendinger said they were unable to comment on the settlement.
‘Bring It On: The Musical’ had its world premiere earlier this year at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. The show features a prestigious creative team including Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is the co-composer and co-lyricist; he composed the music with Tom Kitt, and wrote the lyrics with Amanda Green and Jeff Whitty, who wrote the book for the musical.
The show is scheduled to tour through June to cities including San Francisco, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Toronto.
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-- David Ng
