Wednesday, August 15, 2012
A Musical a Day... Day #1... "13 The Musical"
Day #1!!!
First one out of the gate COULD stir up some interesting discussion...
First off... here is the description of the musical according to MTI (Music Theater International)...
"A grown-up story about growing up!
When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done.
The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumors."
OK... Here's MY thoughts on the show.
Let me start by saying that I had heard about this show for a few years now, but hadn't actually taken the time to listen to it. Even though I really like the music of the composer (Jason Robert Brown... he wrote "Parade" and "The Last Five Years"), I just wasn't impressed with this one. And I think I know why.
This musical was written to be performed by young teenagers (hence the title... 13). And I'm sure that for younger listeners this show would be great for them. My problem with it is the subject matter. I don't want to sound like a prude, but having young, 13 year old kids singing about "tongue kissing" (in several songs) is just uncomfortable to me. Not that it doesn't happen in real life (I know it does), I just don't want to see it, and I don't want to hear about it... Call me old if you like, but that's just what I think.
As for the music. Some of the songs were pretty catchy... I especially liked "What it Means to Be a Friend", and "A Little More Homework"...
The kids on the album were all really good. And for what its worth, some of the songs would make GREAT audition songs for younger singers...
All in all, I would give "13 The Musical" a 7 out of 10.
Next time... "42nd Street" - Original Broadway Cast Recording (1980)
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I am loving the concept of this blog! Please keep it up!
ReplyDeleteOk, so Jason Robert Brown. I love the way he writes songs. He is very detailed and lyrical,melodic and slightly more accessible than Sondheim. I loved the Last 5 Years because the lyrics were quirky, relate-able, and you felt for the characters. Who couldn't relate to "Better than that"? Which actor wasn't "Climbing uphill" to make it? I've heard that Parade is beautiful ( still haven't heard it, I know) so I know he is a composer that knows his stuff.
So, while I haven't heard this album, I can talk about the subject matter, and what I read about it while it was on broadway.
One of the problems it has was casting. Its hard to have teenage equity actors available 6-7 days a week singing on stage. It happens, and I know its possible. Now, if this were to be performed in a regional theater or community theater setting, I think it would have the same problem. How do you have practice time, availability, and find the right teens for it? Next, subject matter. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, Spring Awakening had the same issue as far as portraying delicate subject matter on stage. That show had actors that were 18 or above, yet they were portraying high school students. That show is about love, sex, suicide, pregnancy and conformity ( granted its based on a controversial German play from the 1900's but I digress) People flocked to it on Broadway because it was edgy, the songs were catchy, but I think mostly people can relate to those characters. That's the problem with some musicals, finding a topic people can connect to, and songs people can hum as they leave. One example: La Cage Aux Folles. It was about a gay couple, and especially a touchy subject during the time it came out (gay marriage during the 80's and during the AIDS crisis) It won tons of awards, and is now considered a new "standard" musical. That musical had great songs, a good message, but people connected.
So, I agree with you. Its hard to relate to 13 year old problems and issues. Its hard to write songs that people of any age can sing to and like after they leave. I don't think you're a prude btw, its just a theme that not many can understand. Great review! I want to read more so please write!