Not at all. It is a GREAT, fun show!!!!!
Broadway Star Joined: 3/20/08
What was so offensive about the terminal illness song, since everyone seems to agree it crossed the line?
Somehow I don't see this lasting too long, unless they do some advertising on children's TV stations or something.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/16/07
I didn't think it was offensive at all. If you put that song in a different show scenario, like in Avenue Q, I doubt it'd be deemed "offensive".
It was just a little off-putting to hear another kid joke about a boy who is dying, and knows it.
I didn't love it, but it was a hell of a lot better then Glory Days. I also thought it was better then Tale of Two Cities, since people had SOME positive things to say about that.
It's definitely worth seeing. I completely agree that the DDR thing was absolutely ridiculous and out of place. I thought the cripple song was a little insulting but not majorly. A lot of the jokes were very funny and geared more towards adults then young teenagers. I want to go see it again after it opens to see what they've changed. Did they record the CD already? Because it can be pre-ordered on Sh-k-boom, but wouldn't they want to change some things?
Oops.
Updated On: 9/14/08 at 12:47 AM
Maybe being front row helped, but I really thought it was a great show, and with some small fixes, could last at least over a year. And it was SOO much more entertaining than A Man For All Seasons yesterday.
Oh, and to those who weren't there, they changed the set dramatically. No more "classroom" sort of feeling.
Well, Man of All Seasons doesn't aim to be entertaining in the way that 13 does. I don't think that's a fair comparison.
I know, but I was literally falling asleep in AMFAS. I know it is like apples and oranges, but still. That is why we shouldn't expect some work of art from 13. It is pure fun.
I was there tonight and certainly not what I expected. Here's what I posted in another thread:
"I also found it to be insulting! And slightly confusing/didn't care too much about the story.
I don't really see how long it will run either. As much as I like JRB, this isn't his best. The crowd tonight also wasn't the most enjoyable!
But seriously, it's to me like a Carrie-type flop. It's pretty bad, there's lot of random dancing that I think was stolen off of 'Legally Blonde: The Musical,' but there are a few gems of songs in there. (it clearly isn't going to be a mega-flop) The cast overall is pretty good, especially the girl playing the leading female role. I didn't care for most of the roles though!"
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
What was the set like? Show curtain? I might have to check out the train wreck in a few weeks...
Broadway Star Joined: 4/16/07
No show curtain. The set was very generic. The opening scene when you walk into the theater was a forced perspective of NYC, with a bench, lamp post and garbage can. The Indiana set was just a bunch of houses in a rural setting. The school set doesn't change, just some lockers/vending machine come in every so often. Act II closes at a movie theater arcade. Besides that there isn't much more to the set.
No show curtain, only a scrim for ending Act 1 & Act 2/curtain calls.
The set used lots of silhouttes/projections on scrims, and was for the most part boring and the hallway scenes (lockers & soda machine) looked like they were made at that school by 13 year olds.
The backdrop/silhoutte/cut-out thing of the town in Indiana itself looked nice regardless, but everything else was either boring or random. Except the movie theatre. That was well done.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/29/07
I was sitting around Row H or so on the left side, and, from my view, it's a really great show. I mean, there are some things I feel should be fixed (DDR, some minor jokes) but otherwise, it's exactly what teenagers talk and sound like. It was admitedly, a little vulger, but atleast it's true. The cast, in my opinion was really quite good, and many of them should go on towards promising careers. The set was simple, and I was perfectly fine withit. The songs were really liked by many of the teens in the audience, and if every night was like this (The theatre, by the way, was nowhere near full) it could improve and be a great little show. In the end, 8 1/2 out of 10 stars.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Is Henry Hodges in it?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/06
Henry Hodges is an understudy, as far as I know.
I can't believe people are agreeing that A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS is worse than THIRTEEN.
There is absolutely no comparison. A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS at least featured some genuinely memorable moments and a strong lead performance from Langella. THIRTEEN has an Act One finale with an awkward dance break where everyone dances to a DDR game...
And to say that the song about the boy with the terminal illness wouldn't be an issue if it was in AVENUE Q is kinda ridiculous. AVENUE Q is a totally different show than THIRTEEN. It appeals to a much older and mature crowd and its borderline offensive in a way that comically works...PLUS they would never let the song even be in the show because it's truly terribly written.
So I will actually give a big review now because I am bored. **Maybe some spoilers**
Aaron Simon Gross- Archie- I thought he was very good. He was very believable that he was on crutches and sick. And he had a very good voice.
Eric M. Nelsen- Brett- I liked him... He was pretty funny but he kind of over acted at times. It's probably hard to not over act when you are playing that character. It's sort of like Roger (Rent) most Rogers over act because they have to attack Mimi when Brett has to attack many people.
Ariana Grande- Charlotte- HOLY CRAP! This girl has one hell of a voice. She doesn't really have a song but in the end at the curtain call they have one song where they all dance and stuff and she sings and she is amazing.
Al Calderon and Malik Hammond- Eddie and Malcolm- They were both really good. Malik was really good, he had an amazing voice.
Graham Phillips- Evan- Okay so for the amount of stuff he has to do he was pretty good. He was just so awkward, he looked so uncomfortable. His voice was pretty good but he couldn't dance. When the entire cast was dancing he looked completely lost.
Delaney Moro- Kendra- She was really good, not much to say.
Elizabeth Egan Gillies- Lucy- WOW, she was incredible. She was such a bitch and I loved it! She could dance, sing, and act! And she was amazing at all of them. Probably in the top two performances.
Caitlin Gann- Molly- Really good, great voice and she could sing!
Allie Trimm- Patrice- HIGHLIGHT of the night! She has the most amazing voice ever! I felt so bad for her (her character) and she was such a great actor. But I still can't get over how great her voice is. I can't wait to see her again.
Eamon Foley- Richie- Amazing voice!
I loved the show and I really want the cast album. I can't wait to go back again.
Also, the audience was very well behaved. I go there at 7:30 and got front row mezzanine. I also got a few comments on my ITH shirt and bag.
How flat was Eric Nelson during the song in the movie theater before he kisses Kendra?
It was almost painful.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Tom Kitt (of High Fidelity, Next to Normal fame) is the musical director/conductor.
I couldn't help but feel terrible for him throughout the show.
The band did sound good though.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/29/07
So, Wicked Rocks, with all of your rather ranting on over how bad 13 was, I only have one question...
Who do you play in Billy Elliot?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/06
Well, Eric Nelson can't sing. That's just kind of a fact.
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