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  • February 18, 2025
Raygun has her legal team halt the musical inspired by her breakdancing journey to the Olympics so she can protect her reputation

Raygun has her legal team halt the musical inspired by her breakdancing journey to the Olympics so she can protect her reputation

The legal team at global sensation Raygun has dashed the hopes of an Australian comedian preparing to debut her new musical based on the breakdancer’s Olympic journey.

There was a pilot screening of ‘Breaking: The Musical’, written by and starring Steph Broadbridge to continue to Kinselas in Darlinghurst, SydneySaturday at 7 p.m., but has been canceled after lawyers for Raygun, real name Rachael Gunn, sent a cease and desist letter.

The 90-minute show follows Ms Gunn’s acceptance and performance at the breakdancing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which saw her gain viral fame for her bizarre moves, including writhing on the ground like a snake and jumping like a kangaroo.

Ms Gunn’s lawyers threatened legal action against the venue and the promoter to protect their client’s ‘intellectual property’ and ensure ‘her brand remains strong and respected’.

“While we have tremendous respect for the credible work and effort that went into developing the show, we must take the necessary steps to safeguard Rachael’s creative rights and the integrity of her work,” Born Bred representatives said Talent in a statement.

“This action is not intended to diminish the contributions of others, but rather to ensure that her brand is appropriately represented and protected in all future endeavors.”

Ms Broadbridge, a comedian and musician, confirmed on social media on Saturday morning that the show would not go ahead and said it had been ‘cancelled’.

“They were… afraid that I would damage her brand, which I would never do… She doesn’t need me to do that,” she said.

Raygun has her legal team halt the musical inspired by her breakdancing journey to the Olympics so she can protect her reputation

‘Breaking: The Musical,’ a parody based on the rise of Olympic B-girl Raygun, was canceled at the last minute after the real Raygun’s lawyers threatened legal action on Saturday

Raygun, real name Rachael Gunn, is represented by Born Bred Talent, which said in a statement that the show threatened to damage their client's brand

Raygun, real name Rachael Gunn, is represented by Born Bred Talent, which said in a statement that the show threatened to damage their client’s brand

Mr Broadbridge said representatives of Ms Gunn put an end to her show and even trademarked the promotional poster of her posing as Raygun.

“Raygun’s attorneys contacted the venue and threatened legal action, so we will refund everyone their $10 or comp ticket for that,” she said.

“Her lawyers have trademarked my poster, which is flattering. I hope they do something fun with that.’

Ms. Gunn’s lawyers were concerned that there might be some confusion about their client’s involvement in the show’s production, Ms. Broadbridge said.

Ms Gunn attempted to trademark ‘RAYGUN’ in August, but the application is still under review an “unfavorable report” published in October effectively blocked the claim.

Ms Broadbridge clarified that Ms Gunn would not be involved in the production, but invited her if she wanted to participate in the future.

She was also told not to repeat one of Ms. Gunn’s signature moves.

“They told me I couldn’t do the dance because she owns the kangaroo dance.

‘That confused me. I mean, that’s an Olympic-level dance. How could I possibly do that without any formal breakdancing training?’

Australian comedian and musician Steph Broadbridge (pictured), who was behind the production, confirmed the cancellation of her show on social media on Saturday morning

Australian comedian and musician Steph Broadbridge (pictured), who was behind the production, confirmed the cancellation of her show on social media on Saturday morning

The parody show would depict Ms. Gunn's rise to the 2024 Olympics in Paris

The parody show would depict Ms. Gunn’s rise to the 2024 Olympics in Paris

In a separate trademark application, Ms. Gunn succeeded in trademarking a silhouette image of her performing the kangaroo dance, which was accepted on November 15.

Coincidentally, the second trademark application was filed on the same day that Ms. Broadbridge first promoted her musical on September 25.

Going forward, Ms Broadbridge confirmed that she plans to still keep the show, but will now change her character’s name to ‘Raigun’ to avoid confusion.

Breaking: The Musical was originally announced as “a parody of a breakdancer’s journey to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.”

The script included songs called ‘You May Be a B-girl But You’ll Always Be an A-girl To Me’ and ‘I’m Breaking Down’, along with the intriguing ‘I Would Have Won But I Pulled a Muscle’ . .

What particularly surprised Ms Broadbridge about the threatened legal action was that Ms Gunn's representatives claimed to own copyright to her iconic kangaroo dance.

What particularly surprised Ms Broadbridge about the threatened legal action was that Ms Gunn’s representatives claimed to own copyright to her iconic kangaroo dance.

Ms Gunn’s management, Born Bred Talent, said the show came to their attention after it “caused confusion among audiences, possibly leading them to believe that (the musical) had Rachael’s support or approval.”

All proceeds from the event would be donated to the Women’s and Girl’s Emergency Center, which helps underprivileged women in inner city Sydney, but will instead be refunded.

Ms Broadbridge said she planned to resume the show with changes in 2025.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Born Bred Talent and Steph Broadbridge for comment.