So just how was "13"?- Page 3

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 1:43am

ABB2357: Thank you for the support, but I don't feel bad. I find BroadwayWorld amusing and enjoy reading and expressing my opinions here. Trust me when I write, I don't take it too seriously.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 2:05am

Re: the comment how real 13 year olds had input during workshops -- kids at that age SELDOM have a realistic view on their lives and those around them. they are too egocentric to be able to be objective. What you see with the show is the PERCEPTION of teens that are affected by negative social issues. If the "cool" kids were asked/contributed, you'd see entirely different stereotypes.

I DO think it would be near impossible to have ANY show of all young teens to ever seem totally 'professional'. When you have a few younger people around seasoned professionals, MOST will rise to the occasion. Here, you have more of a school setting: sure the adults are being professional...but they are like the teacher and there is a clear division. I don't doubt that the kids worked hard, nor do I doubt there must have been talent on stage. Just having good ingredients, doesn't make for a gourmet meal.

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 2:27am

dramamama611: What an interesting perspective. I am going to think about your comments and perhaps post tomorrow. A lot to think about. Hmmmm.

Your last paragraph instantly brings to mind the original cast of Merrily We Roll Along and perhaps an insight that explains it's shortcomings. Definitely a post worth thinking about. Thank you.

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 2:29am

Just remembered, The Me Nobody Knows... Very professional. Still some interesting thoughts to consider.

[scripps]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 3:47am

Surprisingly, I haven't blocked the Saturday matinee of 13 I attended with my then 13-year-old brother from my mind.

We were polite, stayed in our seats for the entire duration of the show and bows, but once it became clear that some curtain call mega mix was going to take place, we were the first to flee. Once on the street, my brother turned to me and said, "WOW, I was SO embarrassed for those kids!"

[phantom39]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 4:30am

I can't imagine some people were brave enough to sit through the 20-minute Mega Mix...

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 4:51am

I never saw The Me Nobody Knows professionally done, so I cannot speak to it. I think it is (or at least was) quite moving. I wonder how it would stand the test of time.

Looking at the original cast list (http://ibdb.com/production.php?id=3572), though, perhaps that only a few of the kids were making their b'way debuts made a difference? I can DEFINITELY say the SOURCE material was better as well.

As to whether my previous comments are thought provoking, I'm not sure how well I stated my ideas of what I was trying to say. It is pre-dawn after all!

[sweeneytodd2]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 10:54am

JRB has said in interviews that the original concept for "13" was to create a series of young adult novels that tied in with a touring musical. He has said very plainly that this show began as a calculated effort to make money in the youth market. However, his transparent attempt at "selling out" doesn't seemed to have worked out, creatively or financially.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 10:59am

Maybe if those books had come first and had garnered any interest in advance...perhaps there would have been more of an audience. Especially if one character were a vampire.


Everyone needs to pay the bills I suppose.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 11:58am

Maybe if the story were any good, the novels would have worked. :P

And, yeah, he should have just cast Idina Menzel or something.

[ABB2357]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 12:36pm

Interesting, Sweeney. After seeing PARADE and THE LAST FIVE YEARS I never thought JRB was the type to only be in it for a free lunch, but there you have it.