13

13 – ROCKS MIAMI

A review by Schele Williams

In a small suburb of Miami, in a small little playhouse comes a musical that will knock your socks off from its opening beat to its final clap. Tony award winner, Jason Robert Brown’s “13 The Musical” opened on Friday at the adorable Main Street Playhouse in Miami Lakes. Saturday was my first visit to this venue, but it will not be my last. Entering the theatre your eyes are drawn to the New York skyline mixed with the music of today. The intimate theatre was filled with all ages eagerly anticipating a fun night of theater, but it turned out to be much more.

Greeted by Evan Goldman (Kyle Christensen), the audience is already rocking in their seats to the title song, performed with strength and intensity by the full company. When Evan finds he must have his Bar Mitzvah in Appleton, Indiana, we meet Patrice (Jessie), the school’s outcast. Even strikes up a “friendship” with Patrice until he is put under immense peer pressure by the other kids to sit at the popular table. Evan gives in and leaves Patrice to the side to follow the “cool kids.” The physically challenged Archie (Dylan Kaplan) enters the picture to help Evan find his was way with the new kids and strike a deal to date the hottest girl in town, Kendra (Carianne Older.) Throughout all the schemes and lies, Archie and Evan make a plan that completely backfires and leads to hilarity. “Any Minute” is a scene brilliantly directed in the movie theatre on date night. We see all sides of each character and even a special moment between Archie and the school’s jock (Zachary Weinstein.) Just as much of a schemer as Archie comes Lucy (Melissa Bibliowicz) the schools token mean girl, who’s plan to manipulate her best friends life and everyone else seems all too familiar. With a school named after Dan Quayle, a tampon machine and texting galore, “13” will bring you right into today’s youth.

The cast as a whole is solid, with rising anthems sung to make your eyes well up. Jessie Hoffman shines as Patrice, with her sweet and soft ballads to her dramatic turn, Miss Hoffman all but steals the show with her power house song “Good Enough.” Dylan Kaplan brings humor and warmth to Archie, without making his disability overpower him. Kyle Christensen makes a believable Evan. Melissa Bibliowicz controls the stage as Lucy and has pure vocal power unlike others her age. Finally, Keith Martinez and Jonah Stabinski all but run away with each scene they are in as the jock’s cronies. With perfect timing and great chemistry, these two actors are a force to be reckoned with.

With one of the most rockin’ bands I have heard in South Florida, Ed Sagi, Andrew Gilbert and Jake Oliver bring the score to life and to today’s time. It is a true gem to have live music in a small setting. The sets are innovatively designed by Michael Stopnick with an electrifying lighting design by Marcelo Ferreira. Organizing 12 young actors is a task in itself, but making them sing, dance and act all in one is a major accomplishment, that is entirely done, to near precision by director/choreographer Tom Creatore. With his quick wit direction and perfectly fitting, yet extremely fun dances, Mr. Creatore is a true find at Main Street and I know will be up and coming in the future of South Florida Theatre.

You still have 2 weekends to catch this tiny treasure in Miami Lakes. See what life is like through the eyes of 13 thirteen year olds, while wanting to sing and dance along with them.

The Main Street Players Present “13 the Musical”, May 4th – May 20th. Visit www.mainstreetplayers.com for information and tickets.

13 is a new musical currently playing at the Bernard B. Jacob's Theatre in the great NYC. This is a brand new musical starring 13 teenagers. That ' s right; the entire cast consists of kids age 13-17! The talent of this show is absolutely incredible, especially for the young age of the cast! Even the band is made up of all teenagers! What I love about this show is that the teenage actors put absolutely 110% into everything they do! The passion and drive to have the best musical on Broadway is definitely seen in these young actor's and actress's eyes!

The show is about a Jewish boy, Evan Goldman, whose parents divorce and he is forced to move from NYC to a small town of Appleton, Indiana. There he meets Patrice and Archie, his first true friends of this new town. But now, he must decide to live his new life with as a 'geek' with Patrice and Archie or ditch them and move onto the popular crowd. As Evan struggles with this decision, some of the popular crowd turns against him just to get what they want. So now, not only is Evan dealing with friend issues, but he has to stop the rumors flying around school!

With thrilling music, amazing vocals, and exciting choreography, this fast-paced, fun show is sure to knock your socks off!

Now you may be thinking, well the show is clearly designed for young people to see. That is completely not true. This show definitely speaks out to the young Broadway fans, but it also speaks to the more mature audience of Broadway, the adults. As an adult, you will experience set backs of when you were in high school and all of the problems you face growing up. As a child, the show will speak to you because it shows just what really goes on during the adolescent times of your lives. As a teenager myself, I have seen the show twice and both times there was not one scene that didn ' t directly fit into my life one way or another! This show is ideal for families.

As a teenager, I LOVE 13 because it was just inspiring! For all young and aspiring actors and actresses, this is the show that you must see! Just seeing this show made me realize that there is indeed hope for us aspiring performers. You don ' t have to wait until your 30 to be on Broadway!!!

Now, 13 won't give you a life changing message, but it will definitely give you one night of fun that you definitely won't forget! I've seen the show twice and will most certainly be taking a trip to the city to see it again on Broadway! Don't miss your chance to see it!

Acting - 5/5 stars

Singing - 6/5 stars

Dancing - 5/5 stars

Overall Performance - 10/10 stars!!!

13 is a must see! Bring your family and friends! You won't be sorry!