Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s legal threat has backfired after the comedian at the center of the storm announced a brand new musical would be coming to the stage.
Stephanie Broadbridge had her original creation, Raygun: The Musical, shut down after the Olympian’s legal team stepped in.
The move sparked an online storm which only grew on Thursday when it was revealed the Sydney-based comedy club set to stage the musical had been hit with a legal letter demanding $10,000 ($6,200 US) to cover costs incurred by Gunn.
Despite the legal threats lingering overhead, Broadbridge has decided to push forward and has since rebranded the show, now titled Breaking: The Musical.
In a post to her Instagram account, the Australian comedian detailed the reason behind the change and revealed the cheeky new poster and name for the musical.
“I have a statement to make about Raygun: The Musical,” Broadbridge wrote.
“I acknowledge again, that I did not contact Raygun before I created the title and poster, which used the word Raygun and her silhouette.”
“It was never my intention to mislead people into thinking that she was involved in the production.”
“She is not and continues to not be attached to this project in any way. I have changed the name of the show and the silhouette and will not use her name or the silhouette ever again.”
“I am deeply sorry to learn that Raygun has faced negative backlash as a result of the media attention around the cancellation of the preview for the musical. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to experience hate or distress from this situation.”
“The show is a comedy show, it is based entirely on stuff I read on the internet.”
“It is a fictional telling of a moment in Australian History. It is now called Breaking The Musical.”
Broadbridge’s musical is set to make its debut at Adelaide Fringe with three performances to be held at the Adelaide Town Hall in February and March.
The show will then hop on into Melbourne in April before bouncing to Sydney for the final shows in May.
The musical is being dubbed an “unauthorized (but completely legal) parody” of an Olympian’s journey to the Paris Games.
“The question on everyone’s lips is how did it happen? Breaking: The Musical sets out to answer the question through song,” a statement provided to news.com.au read.
“It is a parody and unauthorized (but completely legal) telling of an Australian Olympian’s journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics, written by Australian comedian and musician Stephanie Broadbridge.”
“Based on the true story as it unfolded across the internet, it tells the inspiring story of a groundbreaking breakdancer and new Australian icon who defied the odds to represent Australia in a male-dominated sport.”
In the wake of the original musical being canceled, Broadbridge took to social media and delivered several tongue-in-cheek jabs over the demands.
“Hi I’m comedian Steph Broadbridge, just hanging out in my casual daywear,” she said while wearing an Australian tracksuit like the one Raygun wore during the Paris Games.
“My trial show tonight for Raygun the Musical has been canceled. Raygun’s lawyers got in touch with the venue and threatened legal action so we will be refunding everyone their $10.”