Photos released of the young stars of 13 The Musical
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
PHOTOS have been released of the young stars of Jason Robert Brown’s 13 The Musical. To view them, click here.
Previously Posted: Following the success of The Color Purple last Sunday, the British Theatre Academy has announced a double bill of musicals this summer at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.
The Adventures of Pinocchio, with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill, runs from Friday, July 28 to Thursday, August 31; and 13 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, plays from Wednesday, August 16 to Wednesday, August 23, 2017.
The Adventures of Pinocchio
Written by the Broadway and Disney writing duo Neil Bartram and Brian Hill (The Story of My Life, Bedknobs and Broomsticks), this family musical is based on Carlo Collodi’s classic tale of a wooden puppet longing to be a real boy. Carved out of wood by the lonely toymaker Geppetto, Pinocchio tumbles from one disastrous situation to another in search of adventure – only to discover that, in the end, all he really needs is an unselfish heart and the love of his father.
Pinocchio illuminates the bond between parents and children in what is described as a magical performance that is sure to enchant audiences of all ages!
Pinocchio is directed by Bronagh Langan, who was nominated Best Director in the Off West End Awards for tick, tick… BOOM! (currently at the Park Theatre) and Promises Promises (Southwark Playhouse). Her other credits include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Chipping Norton Theatre/Greenwich Theatre), Madness Of Sweeney (Belfast Lyric), James And The Giant Peach (International Tour), Marina Carr’s Portia Coughlan (Old Red Lion Theatre), Howard Goodall’s Girlfriends (Union Theatre), Rags In Concert (Lyric Theatre) and the British premiere of The Stationmaster (From Page To Stage).
Musical supervisor is James Taylor, whose recent shows include the UK premiere of DISASTER! The Musical (Charing Cross Theatre), Jest End (Waterloo East) and Assistant MD on Sweeney Todd (“Harringtons Pie Shop” and Shaftesbury Avenue).
13 The Musical
An original musical with music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown, (Parade, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, it premiered on Broadway in 2008 and is the only Broadway musical ever with a cast and band entirely
made up of teenagers.
13 The Musical is described as an hilarious, coming-of-age musical about discovering that “cool” is sometimes where we least expect it. Geek. Poser. Jock. Beauty Queen. Wannabe. These are the labels that can last a lifetime. With an unforgettable rock score, 13 The Musical is a about fitting in – and standing out!
Evan Goldman is plucked from his fast-paced, preteen New York City life and plopped into a sleepy Indiana town following his parents divorce. Surrounded by an array of simpleminded middle school students, he needs to establish his place in the popularity pecking order. Can he situate himself on a comfortable link of the food chain… or will he dangle at the end with the outcasts?!
The cast is comprised entirely of teenagers, but the stories that come to life are ageless, the emotions they explore timeless, the laughter and the memories they provide priceless.
13 The Musical is directed and choreographed by Ewan Jones. As a choreographer his work includes Ragtime at Charing Cross Theatre, which holds the all-time record for 13 Off West End award nominations, and Travels with My Aunt (Chichester Festival 2016, Minerva Theatre). As director and choreographer, his credits include The Three Little Pigs (Palace Theatre, London/UK Tour/International Tour) which saw him nominated Best Choreographer in the 2015 BroadwayWorld awards.
This season follows the success of previous BTA summer shows, The Secret Garden at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2016 and Annie Jr, which smashed box office records at the Arts Theatre in 2015. Those shows gave over 500 youngsters the chance to act for the first time in the West End.
Producer Matthew Chandler of the BTA said: “The Color Purple in Concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday was an unforgettable night for the audience and for our youngsters getting to perform alongside stars from the West End and Broadway. It is has been an incredible year for the BTA and to date all our productions and concerts have given 1,500 children the chance to perform on the West End stage.
“For our summer season, more than 2,000 young people auditioned for The Adventures of Pinocchio and over 1,000 teenagers for 13 The Musical. In total we have 17 teams of actors performing The Adventures of Pinocchio and three teams perfoming 13 The Musical. This is a fantastic opportunity for all the youngsters involved.”
For more information or to book tickets, call the box office on 020 7395 5405 or visit www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk/.