#1
Posted: 12/23/06 at 2:17am
Hey BWW!
I just got back from seeing the first preview of the musical 13 by Jason Robert Brown. And let me tell you how pumped up am I after seeing this show.
For those of you who are dubious of the show and the fact that a 36 year old man is writing music that is supposed to be coming from that of a 13 year old, you shouldn't be worried. Jason has yet again proved that no matter what, he has got what it takes. You don't need to be worried about him writing a show about being 13...not in the slightest.
Let me start with the set. It's at the Taper so it was like a half theater in the round kinda experience. I was sitting row K seat 56. It was an amazing seat (but lets face it, they all are- seating I believe only 750 people) The set was a very simplistic one. Exactly what it needed to be. It has swiveling doors to open and expose different scenes such as the lunch tables, or bedrooms of the kids, and the football field. Then on the second level there were moving doors that would open and close to reveal the all teenage band (which brought the house down), and it would also be used as projection screens for when the kids went to "the movies"
Now onto the score. It was extremley well written. I went in there, not really knowing what to expect, and came out thinking that it was EXACTLY what it should have been. The music didn't patronize, or characterize the lives of these kids. Instead it shed a heartfelt, truthful, funning, touching look at who these people really are. What they feel, how they fit in, how they see the world, and where they are coming from. The lyrics (taken out of context can be mistaken as corny and silly) but in the show they make perfect sense. There are some real home-runs, especially the song that the character of Patrice sings. It's a song about a friend leaving you, and having to deal with moving on and dealing with those emotions. Plus, it was sung out of the ballpark by the girl who played her! (Talk about amazing talent!)Without going into too much detail, this score is amazing. Some really great work out of Jason, and every song was exactly what it needed to be.
Lastly the cast could not have been better. Every kid was a star in their own right when they stepped out onto that stage. From the first time (when they are in shadows singing about being invited to the party) to the last time when they take their dancing curtain call. The engery was high and fierce, and the voices on these kids were amazing...and dont even get me starte don how well they dance! (Look out for the AWESOME choreography). The true standouts of the cast however were the boy playing Evan (Ricky Ashley) and the girl playing Patrice (Sarah Neimeitz). These two give performances that would surprise you in so many ways. Both of them being only the age of 14, you'd think they would be lost in such a HUGE undertaking. But NO, they take these roles, make them their own, and crank out performances that would make Broadway's top performers take notice. These kids are going to make it far. Also a side note (look for Ryan Ogburn in the show- I know him and he is totally adorable on stage)
Yes there are a lot of details I am leaving out, but its because I want you to go see this show! Its well worth the ticket price!
There's no telling how successful this show will be, but if tonights performance were any indication, then you are in for a real treat! (the only real problem the show had was a few sounds cues gone wrong- nothing that won't be fixed after tonight.)
The highlight of the night, however, was getting to meet Jason Robert Brown himself!!! He sat in the back of the theater taking notes, and after the show I went up to him. He was the nicest guy, and was so willing to talk and sign my program!
So thank you Jason!
Thanks for another great show!
(Another cool highlight I should mention is that the kids play in the audience a lot. It was a great way to get everyone in the theater even more involved. It also provided for some of the funniest moments!)
I just got back from seeing the first preview of the musical 13 by Jason Robert Brown. And let me tell you how pumped up am I after seeing this show.
For those of you who are dubious of the show and the fact that a 36 year old man is writing music that is supposed to be coming from that of a 13 year old, you shouldn't be worried. Jason has yet again proved that no matter what, he has got what it takes. You don't need to be worried about him writing a show about being 13...not in the slightest.
Let me start with the set. It's at the Taper so it was like a half theater in the round kinda experience. I was sitting row K seat 56. It was an amazing seat (but lets face it, they all are- seating I believe only 750 people) The set was a very simplistic one. Exactly what it needed to be. It has swiveling doors to open and expose different scenes such as the lunch tables, or bedrooms of the kids, and the football field. Then on the second level there were moving doors that would open and close to reveal the all teenage band (which brought the house down), and it would also be used as projection screens for when the kids went to "the movies"
Now onto the score. It was extremley well written. I went in there, not really knowing what to expect, and came out thinking that it was EXACTLY what it should have been. The music didn't patronize, or characterize the lives of these kids. Instead it shed a heartfelt, truthful, funning, touching look at who these people really are. What they feel, how they fit in, how they see the world, and where they are coming from. The lyrics (taken out of context can be mistaken as corny and silly) but in the show they make perfect sense. There are some real home-runs, especially the song that the character of Patrice sings. It's a song about a friend leaving you, and having to deal with moving on and dealing with those emotions. Plus, it was sung out of the ballpark by the girl who played her! (Talk about amazing talent!)Without going into too much detail, this score is amazing. Some really great work out of Jason, and every song was exactly what it needed to be.
Lastly the cast could not have been better. Every kid was a star in their own right when they stepped out onto that stage. From the first time (when they are in shadows singing about being invited to the party) to the last time when they take their dancing curtain call. The engery was high and fierce, and the voices on these kids were amazing...and dont even get me starte don how well they dance! (Look out for the AWESOME choreography). The true standouts of the cast however were the boy playing Evan (Ricky Ashley) and the girl playing Patrice (Sarah Neimeitz). These two give performances that would surprise you in so many ways. Both of them being only the age of 14, you'd think they would be lost in such a HUGE undertaking. But NO, they take these roles, make them their own, and crank out performances that would make Broadway's top performers take notice. These kids are going to make it far. Also a side note (look for Ryan Ogburn in the show- I know him and he is totally adorable on stage)
Yes there are a lot of details I am leaving out, but its because I want you to go see this show! Its well worth the ticket price!
There's no telling how successful this show will be, but if tonights performance were any indication, then you are in for a real treat! (the only real problem the show had was a few sounds cues gone wrong- nothing that won't be fixed after tonight.)
The highlight of the night, however, was getting to meet Jason Robert Brown himself!!! He sat in the back of the theater taking notes, and after the show I went up to him. He was the nicest guy, and was so willing to talk and sign my program!
So thank you Jason!
Thanks for another great show!
(Another cool highlight I should mention is that the kids play in the audience a lot. It was a great way to get everyone in the theater even more involved. It also provided for some of the funniest moments!)
Now all I see are cute boys with short haircuts in a maze of their own...
Updated On: 12/23/06 at 02:17 AM
