Looking Back at 13

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 1:03pm

For the most part I ignored the show during its short run. I know it had a very devoted fanbase that annoyed a lot of the posters here, so my impression has always been that the show was received negatively by most. Listening to the score now I think it's pretty good, even if the lyrics are occasionally idiotic. For those who saw it on stage, I guess my question is did the gimmick of having everyone onstage and in the pit be a teenager overwhelm the other elements?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 1:11pm

You are about to incur the wrath of Mr. Jordan_Catalano.

For the record, I like the score too.

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 4:31pm

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 5:02pm

One word: YUCK.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 5:03pm

Which recording were you listening to? The OBC, the re-released OBC with bonus tracks or the revised London cast recording? All three could provide different ideas about what must have gone wrong. Personally, I prefer the London cast recording because Graham Phillips isn't screaming at me all through the recording. Updated On: 12/1/13 at 05:03 PM

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 5:37pm

I actually liked Graham Phillips.
The show is certainly flawed, but I think that it had a shorter run than it deserved. I think people underestimated it because of the entirely youth cast.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 6:24pm

I don't know if it was underestimated, for me, it just didn't interest me in the slightest. I cannot imagine, short of having a student of mine IN the show, that anything would have gotten me to purchase a ticket.

People here were SHOCKED that the reviews weren't scathing, btw. (although I understand it improved a bit during the run.)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 7:07pm

The wrath?

Don't know what that means but show was awful.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 7:15pm

Both, CATS. Some of the songs are good - The Lamest Place in the World, Tell Her are my favorites.

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 8:59pm

I played Key 2 in the pit band over the summer for a local production. Is it a masterpiece? Of course not. But as a fun pop-based musical for younger performers that isn't condescending or treacly, it's definitely miles ahead of High School Musical. And it's a damn fun score to play, music wise.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 9:18pm

Well, Jordan, ya didn't disappoint.

[homeimp]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 11:03pm

I really like the score of 13 and I enjoy playing the music on the piano. I thought Graham's voice was quite good. I wish the best for the cast, especially Aaron, who was wonderful.

[JMPlayer6]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 11:31pm

I saw this during its brief Broadway run. It wasn't very good, simple as that.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 12/2/13 at 11:58am

13 was dreadful. I sat there embarrassed for the performers.

Years earlier, I loved The Me Nobody Knows and I have enjoyed shows that featured casts with a large percentage of children. It wasn't that it was young talent. It was that it was no talent. (Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration.)

Updated On: 12/2/13 at 11:58 AM

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 12/2/13 at 12:19pm

I enjoyed the music and the idea of the show for the most part. The rush seats I got were front row, and I just remember being embarrassed about being so close and quite uncomfortable because I found the problems they were singing and talking about so funny and trivial it was hard not to laugh at their situations. I was 20 when I saw it, my 16 year old (at the time) sister enjoyed it far more than I did.