” … the young cast bring believability and depth …”
13 The Musical brings together a teenage cast and the music of famed Broadway lyricist Jason Robert Brown, to produce a tale on the soaring highs and damning woes of pre-teenhood. Following the big city kid moves to a sleepy town model, the show chronicles Evan Goldman (Milo Panni) in his pursuit of acceptance in the social hierarchy of school. With all the classics of high school drama, 13 is high spirited and unashamed of its deep dive into teen culture.
The show reaps the full benefits of having such a young cast from the British Theatre Academy. Bringing believability and depth to an otherwise somewhat flat story and set, their fresh faced enthusiasm and talent ensures the show never lags. The snappy wisecracks, a few on the uncomfortable side when spoken by a twelve year old and clearly written by a forty year old man, are funny nonetheless and the laughs flow throughout.
Jason Robert Brown’s music is by far the stand out of the show. His particular brand of emotive, cynical and quick lyrics find some genuine emotional impact when belted out by the young cast. Through a fizzing opening number (“Thirteen/Becoming a Man”) to awkward first dates at the movies (“Any Minute”), the music allows the young cast to show off their energy.
On the other hand, the shows biggest problem is the story itself. Initially feeling like the first 10 minutes of High School Musical, that preteen cultural marker of the noughties, holds clear influence over 13. With the clever music and lyrics to thank, the show unfurls into something definitely wittier, but just as simplistic. In place of teeny bopping pop, the audience has middle school satire and a stock of predictable characters. A big mean sports bully, his loyal followers, the dim-witted beauty, a scheming cheerleader, and the lovable band of misfits welcoming our hero to his new life of suburban hell. It’s hardly ground-breaking stuff.
The most obvious flaw in the show is that it’s not this simple. Chase popularity and be saddled with unauthentic wannabes. Or accept your fate as a social pariah and find some genuine friends. Its well-worn ground. The truth of being a teenager lies somewhere with the nameless supporting characters of 13. Teenhood is almost never lived in the polarising worlds of geek or jock. In this regard the show is pandering to its adult audience. Pretending school was a living nightmare is often how we account for the somewhat average reality of being a teenager. 13 celebrates the melodramatic stereotypes of 21st century youth, not entirely truthful, but funny enough to keep the audience content in their seats.
Ambassadors Theatre summer season of musicals to feature
‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’
and
‘13 The Musical’
Following their triumphant sold-out gala fundraising concert of The Color Purple last Sunday featuring major stars from shows including Dreamgirls, the British Theatre Academy today announces a double bill of musicals this summer at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.
The Adventures of Pinocchio, with Music and Lyrics by Neil Bartram, Book by Brian Hill, directed by Bronagh Langan (Promises Promises, Southwark Playhouse) will run from Friday July 28 – Thursday 31 August.
13 The Musical, with Music and Lyrics by Tony Award-winning Jason Robert Brown, (Parade, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) and Book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, directed and choreographed by Ewan Jones, will play Wednesday 16 August – Wednesday 23 August. 13 The Musical is a youth production presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe).
This season follows the success of previous BTA summer shows, The Secret Garden at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2016 and Annie Jr, which smashed box office records at the Arts Theatre in 2015. Those shows gave over 500 youngsters the chance to act for the first time in the West End.
Producer Matthew Chandler of the BTA said:
“The Color Purple in Concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday was an unforgettable night for the audience and for our youngsters getting to perform alongside stars from the West End and Broadway. It is has been an incredible year for the BTA and to date all our productions and concerts have given 1,500 children the chance to perform on the West End stage. For our summer season, more than 2,000 young people auditioned for The Adventures of Pinocchio and over 1,000 teenagers for 13 The Musical. In total we have 17 teams of actors performing The Adventures of Pinocchio and 3 teams perfoming 13 The Musical.This is a fantastic opportunity for all the youngsters involved.”
The Adventures of Pinocchio
Written by the Broadway and Disney writing duo Neil Bartram and Brian Hill (The Story of My Life, Bedknobs and Broomsticks), this family musical is based on Carlo Collodi’s classic tale of a wooden puppet longing to be a real boy. Carved out of wood by the lonely toymaker Geppetto, Pinocchio tumbles from one disastrous situation to another in search of adventure—only to discover that, in the end, all he really needs is an unselfish heart and the love of his father. Based on Carlo Collodi’s classic tale, this family musical illuminates the bond between parents and children in a magical performance that is sure to enchant audiences of all ages!
13 The Musical
An original musical with music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown, (Parade, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, it premiered on Broadway in 2008 and is the only Broadway musical ever with a cast and band entirely made of teenagers.
13 The Musical is an hilarious, coming-of-age musical about discovering that “cool” is sometimes where we least expect it. Geek. Poser. Jock. Beauty Queen. Wannabe. These are the labels that can last a lifetime. With an unforgettable rock score, 13 The Musical is a musical about fitting in – and standing out! Evan Goldman is plucked from his fast-paced, preteen New York City life and plopped into a sleepy Indiana town following his parents divorce. Surrounded by an array of simpleminded middle school students, he needs to establish his place in the popularity pecking order. Can he situate himself on a comfortable link of the food chain… or will he dangle at the end with the outcasts?!
Composed of a precocious cast, no character in 13 is older than the show’s title.The cast is comprised entirely of teenagers, but the stories that come to life here are ageless, the emotions they explore timeless, the laughter and the memories they provide priceless.
The British Theatre Academy is a unique performing arts programme that has inspired and nurtured the talent of thousands of young performers over the past 30 years! We believe that children should be trained as professionals by professionals. Our team maintains an established link with casting directors, music producers, and talent agents across the world. We are passionate about releasing the individual skill and flair of each student in all aspects of their chosen field. Our experienced creative team provide exceptional training and are dedicated in preparing and inspiring our students at the highest level. Last Summer the BTA brought The Secret Garden and Godspell into the West End where over 500 outstanding cast members wowed the audiences all summer long and performed alongside musical theatre stars Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimlooo and George Maguire.
THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO
Wednesday 28 July – Wednesday 30 August
Tickets from £12.50
Running time: 1 hour 15 mins (no interval)
13 THE MUSICAL
Wednesday 16 August Wednesday – 23 August
Tickets from £12.50
Running time: 1 hour 45 mins (no interval)
Ambassadors Theatre West Street LONDON WC2H 9ND
Box Office: 020 7395 5405
For full details of performance times and prices please visit:
