13 To Close During Unluckiest Time Of The YearPerennially, the month of January marks the beginning of the cruelest times on Broadway, and this coming January will see yet another closing of another musical. This time, sorry to say, it's
13 that has posted its closing notice, scheduled for January 4, 2009.
Regular readers will recall that
I was positively charmed by the
Jeremy Sams-helmed tuner that features a truly terrific, invigorating score by
Jason Robert Brown and an incredibly talented teenage cast, with
Graham Phillips and
Al Calderon particularly deserving of shout-outs.
But alas,
13 proved unlucky at the box office, where it only scored three weeks in attracting more than a 50% capacity crowd. Just this past week, it attracted a capacity of just 42.9%.
Given the rough sledding at the far end of Broadway (a/k/a Wall Street), it appears that
13 will pin its parting hopes on families seeking holiday cheer. Once the holidays have passed,
13 will be history, but will a tour be in the offing?
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: 13, Al Calderon, Allie Trimm, Best New Musicals, Box Office, Broadway, Christopher Gattelli, Closing Notices, Graham Phillips, Jason Robert Brown, Jeremy Sams
13 (The SOB Review) - Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, New York, NY*** (out of ****)Be forewarned.
High School Musical it ain't.
But thank
goodness for that.
Think of
Jason Robert Brown's exuberant new musical
13 as a positive puberty piece. It's a latter-day answer to "
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten." With tunes like the inspired "A Little More Homework," even jaded Wall Streeters can reflect and be reminded of a thing or two when it comes to what constitutes really living.
Mostly family-friendly, except for a PG-rated item or two,
13 heralds Brown's long-awaited return to Broadway, and his tuneful, rich score does not disappoint.
Neither does the breathtaking display of teen talent, as all 13 cast members, along with orchestra, are age appropriate. As Evan, a guppy out of water who's suddenly been transplanted from New York City to Appleton, Indiana, the charismatic
Graham Phillips delights. Being the new kid on the block isn't easy, especially when you're a "Brain." It's even more difficult when he realizes that he's won the heart of the unpopular Patrice (played with remarkable emotional depth by
Allie Trimm), threatening Evan's own prospects for popularity. Phillips brings an astonishing degree of nuance for such a young actor.
Yet it's
Al Calderon as Eddie, who manages to steal just about every scene he's in as the sidekick to Brett (a terrific
Eric Nelsen), Dan Quayle High's super cool dude and nemesis to Evan. It's virtually impossible to take your eyes off this gifted young comic actor.
Sure the book by
Dan Elish and
Robert Horn at times goes from earnest to hokey in record time during this 90-minute show, but thanks to
Jeremy Sams' pacing,
Christopher Gattelli's unrestrained choreography, and Brown's beautiful score, I found myself transfixed, charmed and downright moved.
So if you're seeking a little Main Street break, or even hope, from the bleak news coming from Wall Street, head up to Midtown New York and catch a welcome respite in
13. I'm glad I did.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: 13, Al Calderon, Allie Trimm, Broadway, Christopher Gattelli, Graham Phillips, Jason Robert Brown, Jeremy Sams, Musicals, The SOB Review
