TEENHOOD'S FIRST MUSICAL BLOOM.Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic ``13,'' the new musical by Jason Robert Brown Jason Robert Brown (born 1970 in Ossining, New York) is an American musical theater composer and lyricist. Often cited as one of the "New School" of theatrical composers (a list that includes Michael John LaChiusa, Adam Guettel, Andrew Lippa and Jeanine Tesori, among others), and Dan Elish, is an experience so good-natured and exuberant that it's damn near impossible not to embrace. Which, perversely, is also the musical's major stumbling block stum·bling block n. An obstacle or impediment. stumbling block Noun any obstacle that prevents something from taking place or progressing Noun 1. . These steppin', rockin', newly minted teens are a little too all right. There are, as billed, 13 13-year-olds in this tale of a transplant looking to fit in, and all are played by age-appropriate actors. Musical director David O -- leading a six-piece young teen band -- is the only adult to set foot on the Mark Taper taper verb To gradually ↓ a dose, usually of a therapeutic agent–eg, corticosteroids, with potentially significant adverse effects, which cannot be abruptly halted, often due to rebound effects Forum's stage during ``13's'' entire 105 minutes. To a person, our performers are skilled, charismatic, versatile and shot through with more than enough electricity to charge this musical and three others like it. We will be hearing much, much more from the likes of Tyler Mann, Emma Degerstedt Emma Kristina Degerstedt (born April 13, 1992 in Östermalm, Sweden) is an American child actress who is best known for her role as Maris in the Nickelodeon TV show Unfabulous. and Sara Niemietz. Straight outta Indiana Whether the ``13''-ies are also representing their designated age with any kind of social or psychological authenticity is another matter. These are mostly upper-middle-class kids. Nobody's overweight. A few are black. Yeah, these kids encounter rather standard-issue teen problems -- most involving peer pressure and loyalty -- all of which are quickly laid to rest. After all, there's a party at show's end, and who among us -- thank you, John Hughes
Anyway, our Everyteen hero is an uprooted New Yorker named Evan (played by Ricky Ashley), who ends up in Appleton, Ind., following his parents' split. His upcoming bar mitzvah Bar Mitzvah (bärmĭts`və) [Aramaic,=son of the Commandment], Jewish ceremony in which the young male is initiated into the religious community, according to tradition at the age of 13 years and a day. bash is Evan's first and best shot at getting in with the cool kids. Which means his outsider best friend Patrice (Niemietz) doesn't get an invite. Oops. The physically disabled Archie isn't bar mitzvah A-list material either, but he blackmails Evan into securing him a date with head cheerleader Kendra (Degerstedt). Kendra, of course, has her own dilemma. She's sweet on school quarterback/BMOC Brett (J.D. Phillips). The feeling is mutual with Brett, as long as their date results in Brett getting to ``second base.'' (To repeat: Jocks, cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
Brown, Elish and director Todd Graff may want to delve into these kids' minds and hearts, but ``13'' is at its best when the tone opts for playfulness over earnestness. ``The Bloodmaster,'' which finds the group trying to advance their agendas while watching a splatter movie, is staged with more than a little cheeky genius. As is ``Being a Geek,'' with Evan, a rabbi (played by Mann) and a chorus of nerds. Powerful songs On the more somber side, Niemietz unleashes a heartbreaking heart·break·ing adj. 1. Causing overwhelming grief or distress. 2. Producing a strong emotional reaction: heartbreaking loveliness. rendition of ``What It Means to Be a Friend'' while clutching her notebook for dear life. ``Tell Her,'' Patrice's coded love duet with Evan, is equally beautiful. Ashley is quietly effective as Evan, and Mann does good geek as Archie. Mann, in fact, gets the musical's thorniest moment. The show has reached its ultra-fuzzy, youth-empowering conclusion, and even Archie gets a bit of wish fulfillment wish fulfillment n. In psychoanalytic theory, the satisfaction of a desire, need, or impulse through a dream or other exercise of the imagination. , if just for a moment. When he tries to clutch it, it pulls away. But, of course, the music continues. The song, after all, is titled ``Brand New You.'' The makers of ``13'' throw this bit of jaggedness out there and let it evaporate into the air. The Evans, Bretts and Patrices, we suspect, will be just fine. If drugs, isolation and sex (beyond second base, that is) await, Appleton's brightest aren't there yet. Maybe in ``15'' the musical, which probably isn't coming from this team. Evan Henerson, (818) 713-3651 evan.henerson@dailynews.com 13 - Three stars Where: Mark Taper Forum The Mark Taper Forum is a small thrust stage with 745 seats at the Los Angeles Music Center built by Welton Beckett and Associates. It has presented innovative plays since 1967. The world premiere of Angels In America was produced here. , 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; through Feb. 18. Tickets: $55 to $65. (213) 628-2772. In a nutshell: Would that the teen age years went down this easily. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Tyler Mann, left, Ricky Ashley and Sara Niemietz act out the angst of their age in ``13.'' |
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