Theater Review: Center Theatre Group
Center Theatre Group
"13"
Dec. 22 through Feb. 18
Anyone who survived eighth grade remembers the cliques, superficial gossip and social anxiety that made the last year of middle school one of the most traumatic yet formative adolescent years.
Eighth grade seems to inevitably spawn backstabbing girls, flirtatious boys and the eternal tug-of-war between the cool kids and the losers.
Jason Robert Brown’s new musical comedy “13” delves into a world where Abercrombie-clad teenagers mock their “Star Wars”-loving social inferiors.
“13,” which made its world premiere in December at the Mark Taper Forum, features a cast of 13 teenage artists.
Defying the pigeonhole of being a kids-only or family-friendly show, “13” is hugely entertaining, as Brown’s witty music and lyrics give the entire audience something to relate intimately to. Everyone knows the peer pressure, romantic crushes and caste system present in all middle schools.
“13” tells the story of Evan, a New York child of divorce who moves to Appleton, Ind., just in time for his bar mitzvah.
As the new kid in town, Evan (played superbly by Ricky Ashley) tries to win over the right friends, but soon realizes that achieving popularity is not as easy as he expected.
In Evan’s words, he “just wants to fit in with those that fit in.”
Who can blame him for wanting to be cool? After all, being cool can get you to second base in Appleton.
Leading up to his ceremony, Evan alienates his only real friends: the crippled nerd Archie (Tyler Mann), who has a crush on the queen bee Kendra, and Patrice (Sara Niemietz), the bookworm with a genuine heart.
Soon, he hopes that anyone aside from his mother and an Internet rabbi will come to his big day.
Brown’s musical is an unexpected coming-of-age story that rings surprisingly true.
As the characters discuss religion, money, social status and race it becomes apparent that Brown is more socially engaged than most other Broadway writers working today. He gives the audience something to think about where others offer tap numbers and jazz hands.
While the musical is a story of acceptance and diversity, Brown’s work does not descend into being a trite, “We Are the People” kind of production.
Instead, the show uses its exhilarating and often hilarious lyrics to lift a middle school story to an adult sensibility.
Like Brown’s Tony-winning work in “Parade,” this show is more intelligent and thought-provoking than most American musicals. It is engaged with the times and compellingly speaks to its audience.
The cast of “13” is a truly talented group of teenagers who can sing and dance like Broadway veterans.
Throughout the show, they interact with the audience, demonstrating how well they can work a room.
Their talent is exceptionally noteworthy, considering the fact that most of them are not old enough to drive.
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