But I’m a Cheerleader, even 17 years removed from its original release, continues to be one of the most heartfelt, touching, and laughably innocent portrayals of lesbianism and queer desire — particularly among the “teenage romance” genre that rose to great heights during the John Hughes ’80s and continued to dominate throughout the ’90s.
Unfortunately — probably because of its LGBT-centered storyline — it never reached the level of national recognition that it deserved. Like many other under-appreciated gems, But I’m a Cheerleader was relegated to cult classic status, destined to remain a beloved addition to the collections of the small audience it reached. But that could change soon.
In a recent interview with Same Same, Jamie Babbitt, the cult classic’s director (and filmmaker behind the upcoming Addicted to Fresno) talked a little bit about But I’m a Cheerleader and how it has continued to impact her career.
The most interesting revelation came when Babbitt was questioned about her desires to turn Cheerleader into a Broadway spectacle. She replied:
I would love to direct a full blown musical. Maybe sometime soon. They did a musical version of But I’m a Cheerleader in London with the Kinky Boots director. If they find investors I know they want to mount it as a musical on Broadway!
So there you have it! But I’m a Cheerleader may end up on Broadway soon. And if you’re an investor, now is your chance to make a lot of people really, really happy by helping get this inspirational story onto the big stage.