Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:33am
Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:45am
Yeah...and very few of those survive. People don't get that it isn't the teenagers who buy student rush tickets the ones who keep a show alive. It's the people that shill out the $80-$130 that allow a show to keep running and turn a profit each week. Believe me, a dozen 13 year olds can love it but the show won't turn a profit relying on that dozen kids.
Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:48am
Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:49am
~Steven
Posted: 10/6/08 at 2:20am
'On top of that, many of their lines ring false. There were, as an example, a truckload of Jewish jokes, which were probably older than the ages of the entire cast combined and sounded very strange coming out of the mouths of 13-year-olds.
The novelty of using a teenage band was largely nullified by having them out of sight for most of the evening.
It's rare to have a new musical that is not based on a film or a book. But "13," unfortunately, is only technically original. We've never seen it before, but we've seen it before.'
http://www.northjersey.com/betterliving/stage/30503654.html?c=y&page=2
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Posted: 10/6/08 at 2:22am
Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:22am
It has one of the catchiest scores I've ever heard and seeing those kids doing almost everything from bringing set on to playing in the band, was incredible. All the kids have incredible voices and just were wonderful: I loved Corey! He was fantastic.
I loved it and so did the entire audience I was with. It was pretty full, not sure how much was comp or not. All the kids around me seemed to really love it and they all were planning returns in the future, as am I.
Updated On: 10/6/08 at 04:22 AM
Posted: 10/6/08 at 5:55am
Whilst im glad it's got some good reviews the people on here are correct, this show was struggling during previews and no one is really talking about it, i dont think the reviews will have any impact one way or another.
And yes i know it has its fans, but im a fan of Carrie and Good Vibrations and look how they turned out
Posted: 10/6/08 at 8:34am
'As is, the score by Jason Robert Brown ("Parade") is pleasant enough, tripping from pop and Carly Simon-ish ballads to blues. While short on character development, Brown's lyrics do manage to evoke teen-speak, as when boys lament that their buddy "fell for a slut with a fabulous butt."
Director Jeremy Sams creates some clever moments, including an amusing scene in a movie theater where the kids watch a horror flick. The pubescent crowd may find this new musical fascinating — but Mom and Dad will be left thinking about 13 better ways they could have spent their ticket dollars.'
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2008/10/06/2008-10-06_13_teen_musicals_days_are_numbered.html
The New York Post (with Barbara Hoffman reviewing) gives the show 3 Stars out of 4:
'I can't remember the last Broadway musical with a big Torah number. Then again, I can't re member a leading man six years shy of legal drinking age.
All that (and more) adds up to "13," the disarmingly charming new musical that opened last night.'
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10062008/entertainment/theater/musical_mazel_tov_for_heartland_teens_132389.htm
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a Rave:
'The new musical called 13 is every bit as sweet as your first kiss. And maybe even as memorable.
It opened last night on a Broadway stage filled with teenagers - both the 13-member cast and the accompanying musicians range in age from 12 to 16. And by the time its 90 minutes pass, a child shall lead them has a fresh theatrical meaning.'
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/arts/20081006__13___A_sweet_show_by_and_about_kids.html
Newsday is Mixed-to-Positive:
'Imagine "Grease" remade as an after-school special and you have "13," the cheerful and endearing, ebulliently performed and blandish musical that stars genuine tweens as fictional tweens as they all grow into their scary new skin.
Think "Middle School Musical" for the window of demographic opportunity between Disney and "Spring Awakening." Raunchier than "Bye Bye Birdie," more sanitized than Buffy, this 90-minute moptop package explores two familiar agonies - pre-pubescence and kid-in-a-new school - with smart-enough lyrics and canny-enough pop-rock pastiche and, despite a general lack of meanness, a bizarre glee in making fun of the dying crippled kid...'
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/exploreli/ny-etent5871879oct06,0,890060.story
The Hartford Courant is Mixed-to-Negative:
'...Brown's songs, a mix of rock and pop ballads, give the intermissionless production some momentum as it shifts from a vista of toy town to a bland school hallway, in the design of David Farley, who also dressed the kids.
Yet for all the enthusiasm of the ensemble, "13" seems to be going nowhere fast.'
http://www.courant.com/entertainment/stage/reviews/hc-13rev.artoct07,0,1430666.story
John Simon is Negative:
'As for the tunes, which luckily for Brown I cannot quote, let me say only that they are entirely worthy of the lyrics. That leaves the book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, among whose credits are a kiddie show ("The Worldwide Dessert Contest") and a Disney animation "Wild Life."
Manifestly, the driving force behind "13" was the (undeserved) success of Disney's "High School Musical!" franchise and the assumption that something similar could be achieved with a middle-school musical. I wouldn't be surprised if "13" could progress from middle school to middle school to middle school.'
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aQUtGOUqqE_Q
The Hollywood Reporter is Mixed-to-Positive:
'While not exactly sophisticated enough to stand as adult entertainment, "13" works more than well enough on its own terms and should well please its target audience. Brown's pop-rock score is bouncy and fun, and is performed in exuberant fashion by the youthful cast. Indeed, the ensemble is highly impressive, putting over the material with precocious professionalism and -- presumably thanks to the steady hand of director Jeremy Sams -- avoiding the show-offy, "look at me" syndrome so endemic to younger performers.
Only at the evening's end, during the musical number performed at the curtain call, do they seem to be showing off. But there's no denying that by then they've earned the right.'
http://www.reuters.com/article/artsNews/idUSTRE4963BJ20081007
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Updated On: 10/7/08 at 08:34 AM
Posted: 10/6/08 at 8:36am
I thought the whole point of the rising ticket prices was that producers could still attempt to sell out a house at near-half price and break even. Isn't that the argument against TKTS, that's it's actually driving up ticket prices?
I'm fairly pleased this morning. Yay! I can't wait to go back.
Posted: 10/6/08 at 9:01am
Posted: 10/6/08 at 9:08am
Posted: 10/6/08 at 3:48pm
Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:44pm
I am really, very shocked to see all of the mixed and positive reviews.
Brantley was quite kind. But I can't help but think that perhaps he wonders if this show could be a gateway to encourage younger audiences to get into Broadway, which could lead to future adult audiences, and the survival of Broadway.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:34pm
AM New York
Newark Star-Ledger
Philadelphia Inquirer
Rave
Word of Mouth
Very Positive
New York Post
Positive
Associated Press
Hollywood Reporter
New York 1
Newsday
TheaterMania
USA Today
Mixed-to-Positive
Variety
Mixed
Daily News
Hartford Courant
New York Times
Mixed-to-Negative
Bergen Record
John Simon
Talkin' Broadway
Negative
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Updated On: 10/8/08 at 11:34 PM
Posted: 10/7/08 at 3:14pm
"13" on MTV News
Updated On: 10/7/08 at 03:14 PM
Posted: 10/7/08 at 3:50pm
~Steven
Posted: 10/8/08 at 6:00pm
NY1 is relatively positive.
Torre calls the cast "phenomenally talented...". Wow.
Posted: 10/8/08 at 6:15pm
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Posted: 10/8/08 at 7:24pm
Posted: 10/9/08 at 3:05pm
Posted: 10/9/08 at 3:25pm
Posted: 10/10/08 at 6:59pm
Notice they got a good one from the NY Times for those doubting it as well as a lot of others places... NY Post, Fox 5, USA Today etc.
13themusical.com
Updated On: 10/10/08 at 06:59 PM
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