Raygun: The Musical’ cancelled after lawyers called in
A Musical Inspired by Breakdancer Raygun Shut Down Before Opening
A musical inspired by viral Olympic breakdancer Raygun was abruptly shut down just hours before its scheduled opening on Saturday. The creator of the show, Steph Broadbridge, revealed on social media that lawyers representing the athlete had threatened legal action, leading to the cancellation of the performance.
Broadbridge, an Australian comedian who wrote and was set to star in “Raygun: The Musical,” shared in an Instagram video that Raygun’s lawyers had contacted the venue and issued a legal threat.
The parody musical was set to debut at Sydney’s Kinselas venue and aimed to retell the story of Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun. Gunn gained international attention after her performance at the Paris Olympics went viral, sparking both memes and criticism of her and the sport of breakdancing.
Despite her unique routine, which included moves like the kangaroo hop and various contortions, Gunn did not score any points in her Olympic matches against competitors from the US, France, and Lithuania.
Broadbridge reassured fans that Gunn would not be associated with the show and offered refunds to those who had purchased tickets. The proceeds from the event were originally intended to benefit the Women’s and Girls Emergency Centre, a charity supporting women and children affected by homelessness, domestic violence, and systemic challenges.
Gunn’s lawyers went as far as trademarking the musical’s poster, which featured a silhouette of her signature kangaroo hop. They also claimed ownership of the dance itself, preventing Broadbridge from performing it in the show.
Originally advertised with songs like “You May Be a B-girl But You’ll Always Be an A-girl To Me” and “I Would Have Won But I Pulled a Muscle,” the musical’s Eventbrite listing now refers to it as “Breaking: The Musical.”
In response to the controversy, Gunn’s management team emphasized their commitment to protecting her intellectual property and maintaining the integrity of her brand. They stated that while they respected the effort put into the show, they needed to safeguard Gunn’s creative rights.
Broadbridge later issued an apology to Gunn for any negative attention she may have received as a result of the musical. She expressed her intention to celebrate Gunn as an icon in Australia through the production.
