13: The Musical - For Those Who Have Seen It...

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 5:41pm

I have a question about this show for those who have seen it. What are the lyrics like and how is the content? I mean, is this a show that was written FOR 13 year olds to go and see (is it PG or PG-13 rated?) or is it one of those shows that is intended for adults to look back and reflect on being 13?

I am asking because I have tickets for my 8th grade students, but I only know a very little bit about the show. I don't want to offend anyone - the kids or their parents or my principal - so I want to know if the show is "safe."

Any thoughts on this is appreciated. Thanks!!

[xOnMyOwnX]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 8:00pm

I don't think there's anything too bad. A couple of times they say something along the lines of 'fagmo' and there are two kisses, but nothing down-right dirty. "Hey Kendra" may make you feel kind of awkward, but they will probably find it hysterical. Just go in acknowledging the fact that your students know more than you think they know, and you'll all be fine. I highly doubt it will offend anybody (unless you have any students with terminal illnesses)

also, be prepared for plenty of responses from other posters saying "its inappropriate because it sucks"

[defyinggravity42694]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 8:13pm

8th graders would probably love it. I'm a year older and love it.

That's the title song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiuiWx6xvm0

What it means to be a friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRZLQ0-QDzk

Being a Geek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W51Qpu7meIk

Brand New You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY7TBzf6grc

It's really not that inappropriate, in one song they say "this is kind of getting gay", in another they say "this is starting to sound gay", another they say "penis". It's not that inappropriate, the show is about eighth graders so it is so true to what they would be saying and doing now.

It's considered a family show, I would border line PG-13, totally acceptable for middle school.

The cast recording comes out online on September 30th, if you want to hear more.

But I would take them.

[gregj63]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 8:35pm

Saw it a week or so ago with my two kids, ages 6 & 8. Nothing offensive in it at all, nothing 8th graders haven't said/heard/seen before. It's a cute and entertaining show, many adults may not love it, but the kids liked it and I enjoyed it with them.

Posted: 9/26/08 at 11:02pm

Yeah, same here. Not even close to an R. Nothing cringe-worthy at all. Totally fine for middle school. If you'd take your students to see Hairspray, Grease or Legally Blonde, then nothing to worry about here.

They've cut the intermission, though, so make sure everyone's settled before the show starts. Run time is now around 100 minutes.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 11:04pm

"Even my priest thinks he's hot"

Might've been a bit much, but a good line nonetheless :)

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 11:08pm

BroadwayLocal, Did they really cut the intermission?

That's a little long, "A Chorus Line" did something like that and I had to get up during "Singular Sensation".

[dshnookie]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 11:19pm

Wishing.. I went tonight and yes the intermission was cut. It didnt feel long at all, and the show passed my 'yawn' test- I didnt yawn once. Shoot me if you want, but I thought it was a charming little show. Not good enough for a repeat viewing, but I'm glad I saw it ...@ $25 rush tickets :)
Updated On: 9/26/08 at 11:19 PM

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 11:20pm

How easy is rush for 13?

[dshnookie]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 11:25pm

I didnt rush personally because I had to work, but my friend rushed for the both of us at 3:30 or so and got 10th row or so (ROW J) left orch all the way on the end and I thought the seats were fantastic. When I sat down I thought there'd be some obstruction, but there was none - sets are very minimal and a lot of the action occurs center stage. I would say all I missed was half of the house set, which wasnt anything spectacular or used in any way. My friend also said they barely even looked at his ID [it said 2005 on it]

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:03am

dahnookie, I won't shoot you lol. I loved the show!

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:21am

SPOILER ALERT-----> They cut the intermission, plus the last song in act one and the act two opener, so it jumps from Patrice singing about her pain to the one Brett's friends sing about bad bad Lucy. Lucy's song was cut, but she's a skanky ho so she deserved it.

New ending too. Evan's story ends and the cast takes their bows, then they break into a new encore jam called "Brand New You." Band comes forward, cast fills the stage, everybody's dancing & singing. Save your standing O for the end of that number.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:41am

OMG, THEY CUT OPPORTUNITY?!?

I'M PISSED!!

[Overthewall]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:51am

especially since that was one of the better songs in the show!

[broadwayfan3]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 9:22am

SPOILER (I guess)

If they cut Lucy's song, does she and Bret still do "the tounge"? Or is it just implied?

[ashley0139]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 9:30am

Wow, sounds like they're changing a ton in previews. Good for them, I guess, though the thing I think needs to be cut never will be.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 11:59am

They cut Opportunity? That was one of my favorites, it was stuck in my head for weeks after the show.
The show is appropriate for 8th graders (I'm in 9th grade) they say dumb ass and fagmo but thats about as bad as it gets

[SillySara]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:12pm

SPOILER (kind of)

broadwayfan, brett "slips lucy the tongue" during the movie scene now. or it's more like lucy slips him the tongue.

END SPOILER

saw it for the first time last night. i really really liked it. i thought it was cute, fun, and energetic.

tinkerscanne, your 8th graders are the perfect age for the show. and i'm warning you now, your 8th grade girls will be swooning over brett.