The reality television series Dance Moms is transitioning from a cable staple to the stage through an unauthorized parody musical, The Pyramid: An Unauthorized ‘Dance Moms’ Musical. Developed by creators James Stryska and Isabelle Grace Blankenship, the project has moved from a viral TikTok concept to a professional production involving former Dance Moms talent coordinator Logan Clark and creative producer Tye Blue.
From TikTok Viral Hits to Theatrical Development
The musical’s trajectory began in a Goodwill store in Greensboro, North Carolina, where college friends Stryska and Blankenship brainstormed a stage adaptation of the Lifetime series. Their initial creative effort, the song “My Little Kendall,” gained significant traction on TikTok in 2023, accumulating over five million views. According to Blankenship, the social media response included direct engagement from former cast members such as Christi Lukasiak and Jill Vertes.
The project attracted the attention of Logan Clark, who served as a talent coordinator during the show’s original run. Clark, who managed the logistical and personal needs of the dancers and their families, noted that the show’s theatrical nature makes it a natural fit for the stage. Tye Blue, known for his work on the Céline Dion-themed parody Titaníque, joined the team as a creative producer to help facilitate the transition to professional theater.
The Cultural Staying Power of ‘Dance Moms’
Nearly seven years after the final episode aired, the show remains a fixture in digital culture. Comedian and pop culture critic Ashley Ray attributes the program’s longevity to its episodic structure, which lends itself to social media consumption. Clips of intense arguments and Miller’s critiques have become recurring audio trends on platforms like TikTok, where the show is referenced in over one million videos.
Ray observes that the current digital landscape mirrors the competitive environment of the show. “Every week now, everyone gets to create their own pyramid,” Ray said, noting that modern social media trends involve constant public ranking and scrutiny of celebrities, much like the format Miller used to rank her students from best to worst.
Life After the Lifetime Camera Crews
The participants of Dance Moms have pursued diverse paths since the show concluded. Maddie Ziegler has transitioned into a professional acting career, appearing in feature films such as My Old Ass and Fitting In. JoJo Siwa has evolved from a child pop star into a multifaceted media personality, recently participating in Celebrity Big Brother.
Abby Lee Miller has also remained in the public eye, notably following her 2016 guilty plea to bankruptcy fraud in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which resulted in an eight-month federal prison sentence. Despite the controversy surrounding the show’s depiction of intense pressure and child development, the creators of the new musical aim to balance the humor of the source material with the emotional reality of the mother-daughter relationships depicted on screen.
Pro Tip:
When analyzing the cultural impact of reality television, look for how specific, high-conflict segments—often called “meme-able moments”—drive long-term engagement for legacy media properties in the streaming era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is producing ‘The Pyramid: An Unauthorized ‘Dance Moms’ Musical’?
The musical is being developed by James Stryska and Isabelle Grace Blankenship, with Tye Blue serving as creative producer and former Dance Moms staffer Logan Clark involved in the production.
Is Abby Lee Miller involved in the musical?
While she is not a creator, Miller attended an early showcase of the production to show her support.
What is the focus of the musical?
According to the creators, the musical is intended to be a “love letter” to the show, focusing on the complexities of mother-daughter relationships while incorporating the well-known drama and quotes from the original series.
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