Laura Bell Bundy and Nancy Opel Part of But I'm a Cheerleader Musical Reading

By Andrew Gans
December 18, 2003

Hairspray's Laura Bell Bundy and Urinetown's Nancy Opel will take part in a reading of a new musical titled But I'm a Cheerleader.

The by-invitation-only reading will be held Jan. 12, 2004, at Primary Stages on West 45th Street. Those actors joining Bundy and Opel for the reading include Stephanie Kurtzuba, Simone Catalano, John Dewar, Leo Ash Evens, Mary Faber, Colby Foytik, John Hill, Telly Leung, Logan Lipton, Michael Longoria, Moeisha McGill, Stefani Miller, Peter Reardon, Tom Richter and Monté Smock.

The musical — based on the Lions Gate film by Jamie Babbit and Brian Wayne Peterson — features book and lyrics by Bill Augustin and music by Andrew Abrams. Amy Rogers will direct the reading, which features musical direction by Andrew Byrne.

The 1999 film "But I'm a Cheerleader" concerned a teenage girl who is sent to a "sexual redirection" school when her parents fear she is lesbian. The movie's cast included Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul, Michelle Williams, Mink Stole, Bud Cort, Melanie Lynskey and Joel Michaely.