Jason Robert Brown's 13 - Reviews (in LA)- Page 2

[Lindsay2]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 4:54pm

firstly, in several reviews, the mention how "13" succeeds where Big failed, so the comparison is fine. secondly, the average subscriber to the Forum is in their 60's I believe, so its a bit of a bump to get over, but most of them LOVE it, its only the snooty ones that don't

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 5:34pm

Bloomberg's review has been updated! The title has been changed from "Musical `13,' Has Energy, Not Enough Sex" to "Musical `13' Has Verve, Lacks Edge." I can't find the Google cache of the old article, though, and I can't remember it well enough to see if anything else was changed.

My last time seeing it is tonight, unless it gets another run.

[Lindsay2]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 5:58pm

Thats really funny about Bloomberg haha, a lot of people in the cast thought that review was funny because of that whole thing haha. I wonder what made them change it

[erikaamato]

Posted: 1/13/07 at 12:18pm

RAVE review (and Critic's Pick) in Backstage (I've highlighted what I think are a few very interesting sentences, in light of what others have been saying here):

13 (PICK)
January 10, 2007
By Les Spindle

Composer-lyricist Jason Robert Brown and librettist Dan Elish have created a smashing new musical about the difficult rite of passage from childhood innocence to teenage panic. Thirteen proves to be a lucky number indeed in this sassy and melodic show that will be as enjoyable for parents as for the youngsters who in previous generations dragged their parents to see Grease and Bye Bye Birdie.

Among the new breed of visionary musical-theatre songwriters poised to follow in Sondheim’s footsteps, Brown is known for exploring themes ranging from tragic (Parade) to heart-rending (The Last Five Years). It’s surprising, then, when 13 starts out like first-rate fluff, riding high on the power of gifted performers, a killer score, electric staging, dynamite choreography, and the material’s infectious good humor. Slowly but surely, the emotions behind the revelry begin to feel genuine, the stakes for the youthful characters rise, and the show packs a much stronger emotional punch than we initially expect.


Evan (Ricky Ashley), an insecure Jewish boy with a low-key charisma—part lovable schlemiel, part mensch—is having a difficult time adjusting to life at Dan Quayle Jr. High in the sleepy burg of Appleton, Ind. Having just arrived with his mother from New York following the breakup of his parents’ marriage, he is suffering from culture shock: His mother had to locate a rabbi online for Evan’s impending bar mitzvah, for heaven’s sake. He desperately needs to feel that he belongs, and in reaching out to make friends, he manipulates a situation that backfires; his efforts at playing Cupid circle back around to bite him. Will the myriad puppy-love attractions come to fruition, and will our hapless hero find the acceptance he so desperately craves.

Director Todd Graff and choreographer Michele Lynch keep the energy buoyant in a smoothly integrated mix of humorous and poignant scenes and exhilarating, inventive dance numbers. The triple-threat ensemble members likewise meld spectacularly. In the focal role, the marvelously engaging Ashley sings with passionate conviction and anchors the comic complications. As the resilient crippled boy with a muscular disease, the irresistible Tyler Mann displays a mastery of comic timing. Lending exemplary support are Emma Degerstedt as the sexy but unsophisticated head cheerleader, J.D. Phillips as the blowhard jock out to win her heart, Caitlin Baunoch as a jealous troublemaker, and Sara Niemietz as a lonely girl ostracized from the campus cliques.

Artful and fluid design elements add to the nonstop fun: David Gallo’s cartoon-flavored sets, Candice Cain’s astutely conceived costumes, and Mike Baldassari’s finely textured lighting. Music director David O and his crackerjack six-member combo make the most of the rousing score. This is a Brown of a deliciously different color, and his exuberant new tuner starts the new theatre year off with a resounding bang.

http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/la/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003531295

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 1/16/07 at 8:55pm

Great. Musical theatre is not only dumbed-down, it's become an after-school special.






Dorothy Brock
42nd Street







Updated On: 4/29/08 at 08:55 PM

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/16/07 at 8:57pm

You went back three days to dig up a post about reviews of a musical you haven't even seen just so you could be negative?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 1/16/07 at 8:59pm

Ignore TheEnchantedHunter. He has no taste. At all.

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 1/16/07 at 9:35pm

bump

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/16/07 at 9:44pm

Some more reviews...

LA City Beat thinks it's cool. (That's what it says.)
http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=4859&IssueNum=188

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The show achieves a happy medium in tone between the similarly titled movie Thirteen, which made middle school look like a grim cesspool of high-risk behavior, and the recent Disney Channel mega-hit High School Musical – which, with its Fantasyland plot about sanitized super-achievers, seemed geared more toward middle schoolers looking forward to high school than to actual high schoolers.

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Blogcritics says it's basically fluff with a great cast:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/16/034144.php

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While the production may have you standing to applaud the youngsters, by the time you’re beeping open your car in the parking lot, you may feel like you just left a fancy buffet with no more nourishment than a bag of Cheetos.

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(Ahaha, love the Cheetos call back, even if it is an insult.)

And Downtown LA Scene seems to think it's good enough for adults to enjoy:
http://www.downtownlascene.com/index.php/scene/news_item/763/

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It’s a playful spirit that makes this production work. It’s also important that while there’s nothing new in the script, Brown and Elish never resort to talking down to adolescents.

13 may never be as popular as High School Musical - a virtually impossible task considering the attention the latter has gained - but Brown deserves praise for taking a risk and proving that a cast of teens dealing with being a teen is both fun and worthwhile. Even for adults.

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[istoleatv]

Posted: 1/17/07 at 2:45am

i thought it was great. i really didn't think it was bubble gum at all. it reminded me a lot of falsetto's. i hope it has a life other than LA so people can see it. i also loved what JRB wrote in the program. he basically said he didn't ever want to write a musical again and then he wrote the opening number and couldn't stop. i love his music and i loved this show.

[Lindsay2]

Posted: 1/18/07 at 7:26pm

bump

[D2]

Posted: 1/18/07 at 7:43pm

I saw it last night. I didn't think it was all that great - very much like an after-school special/Saved By the Bell combo. BUT - I am not the target audience for the show, as I realized mid-way through the first number. The young members in the audience, which comprised a large part of the house, ate it up and the show received a standing ovation. I don't think it is a very well written piece, but it does have tremendous commercial value, perhaps as a tour. And it will be huge in the Jr. High School Drama Clubs when it becomes available for amateur production - a perfect vehicle for them.

[defygravity2]

Posted: 1/18/07 at 7:45pm

I concur. I saw it last night, and loved it! My 14 year old loved it, as did all the 'older crowd' all around us. The show has a wonderful energy and story. I wish I could get a cast recording...some songs were THAT good! I highly recommend it to all you LA people. Try the Hot Tix deal for $20. You'll get more than your money's worth!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 9:21pm

OMG 13 UPDATES!!! It seems like forever.

A really lame interview (interviewer's fault!) with Charlie Rosen from the band:
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2007/01/29/entertainment/entertainment03.txt

Article from Backstage:
http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/features/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003537940
Ricky: "I don't want to go badmouthing High School Musical..."
:)

Review from Palisadian Post - Positive!
http://www.palisadespost.com/content/index.cfm?Story_ID=2583

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Thankfully, the new musical comedy '13,' about growing up and figuring out who you are, is not painful to watch, even if it does stir a few memories. It's actually one of the most entertaining shows I've seen in a long time, largely because of the inventive staging and talented cast of teenagers, who deliver an energetic and polished performance from start to finish.
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Aaaand from JRB's Feb Newsletter:
The point is, I know I haven't written you in a long time. Things have been a little crazy out here in Los Angeles. "13," my new musical, opened on January 7 to some wonderful reviews, and the show's been selling out. A lot of folks have been writing and asking when the CD is coming out, and I hope to have some information about all of that by the end of the run. Unless, as always, someone wants to donate seventy-five thousand dollars to the cause now, in which case, we'll get right on it.

I have five thousand in my savings account. If it sells well, do I get a return on my investment?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 9:35pm

No one cares

[defygravity2]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 9:39pm

I care...but not enough to invest 75K.

When a cd comes out, I'll buy it....I loved the song about friendship and several others.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 2/2/07 at 1:33am

just got back from seeing the show tonight with a friend and we both loved it... and i'm 28 and she's 22.... we had a blast... the show had an infectious music to it... good acting and singing for 13 year olds... we are planning on going to see it again... good stuff... i say if you want to have a good time at the theater... then go see this show...

[thenewmoon]

Posted: 2/2/07 at 11:47am

I saw it on 1/20. I LOVE "The Last 5 Years" and for $20, I thought this would at the very least be entertaining.
Never have I regreted seeing a show more. I went with my teenage bro and we both found it unfunny, unhummable, and flat-out offensive in its lack of topicality (meaning, who cares about middle-class homogenous middle-schoolers in such a socially diverse place as L.A.?) It's great that it's having such a successful run, and most of the audience really seemed to enjoy it, but I found absolutely nothing to like.

[Lindsay2]

Posted: 2/3/07 at 12:32pm

if you have nothing nice to say don't say it at all!
(lindsay)

[erikaamato]

Posted: 2/3/07 at 12:49pm

On this board??? Have you seen this board??

[Lindsay2]

Posted: 2/3/07 at 3:22pm

No, I have seen this board and its wonderful.
It's just TheatreDiva90016 that has nothing nice to say.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/3/07 at 3:35pm

Ricky should get his own screenname so you don't have to clarify. Just saying. :)

[Lindsay2]

Posted: 2/3/07 at 3:39pm

Ricky is too lazy, and too busy to do it. So he mooches off of me.
haha.
Moocher.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 2/3/07 at 4:13pm

Lindsay: Well, I was just trying to be funny, but to be clear: I was referring to this entire board (not just this thread), and if you think TheatreDiva90016 is the only one who ever has not-nice-things to say around here, then you haven't read many threads. :-P

Also, it was a poster named "thenewmoon" who most recently said something negative about the show, not TheatreDiva...are you're implying they're the same person?

For what it's worth, although I haven't seen the show, the reviews I've read (including the extremely positive Backstage West "Critic's Pick" I posted in this thread) have been mostly of the good variety. However, that doesn't preclude other people from having their own opinions, including negative ones. Not everyone is going to like every show, you know?

[Lindsay2]

Posted: 2/3/07 at 4:22pm

Of course not everyone is going to like a show!! That's the beauty of art is that it is subjective, isn't it? But if you're going to state your dislike of something, an explanation for your opinion is always nice, not just your opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. The world would be boring if everyone liked the same thing.
And yes, I have read alllllll the threads and allllll the boards, and the people who do have negativity towards any production write why. And that is fine, I have no problem with negativity, being a pretty picky theater go-er myself.
And no, I am not implying that they are the same person, by any means, since I don't know them! haha.