Until now, the idea of cheerleading a Broadway show has been metaphorical, in the sense of drumming-up-support. Now, however, it means actual cheerleading.

A new musical called Bring It On, based on the 2000 movie of the same name, is giving New York audiences at the St. James Theatre a chance to see just how complex and intensely competitive cheerleading has become; it’s not just pleated skirts and pom-poms anymore.