Goodspeed Musicals', the only two-time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, latest production, 13, a new musical comedy about coming of age, teen traumas and high school survival, will hit the stage at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut, May 9 - June 8. 13 is sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.
Evan Goldman has it all - he's popular, has the 'perfect' family and lives in the greatest city in the world - New York. That is until his parents get divorced and he's forced to move - to a small town in Indiana. Uprooted from his old life, he has to make new friends and somehow maneuver the minefield of High School to become part of the 'in-crowd'.
With wit and searing honesty, 13 is a hilarious, high-energy musical for all ages. It's about the lessons one learns throughout life and the discovery that the journey to who you want to be starts with discovering who you are.
Featuring an explosive rock score by celebrated composer
Jason Robert Brown and performed by an astonishing cast of young actors, 13 is a grown-up story about growing up.
Music and lyrics for 13 are written by
Jason Robert Brown who won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Parade, composed for the Tony Award nominated Urban Cowboy , and wrote the off-Broadway hit The Last Five Years. The book is provided by
Dan Elish and
Robert Horn.
13 will be directed by
Jeremy Sams whose adaptation of Amour delighted Goodspeed audiences at The
Norma Terris Theatre in 2005. Mr. Sams's credits also include his adaptation of the beloved film Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang for the stage, the Broadway revival of Noises Off, and the successful London production of The Sound of Music. He received Tony Award nominations for Best Book and Best Original Score for his adaptation of Amour. Choreography will be by
Christopher Gattelli whose recent Broadway credits include the
Current Productions of
Sunday in the Park with George and
South Pacific as well as
Martin Short - Fame Becomes Me in 2007 and the off-Broadway hits Altar Boyz , Bat Boy and tick, tick…BOOM. Mr. Gattelli returns to Goodspeed where he previously choreographed Me & My Girl and
O. Henry's Lovers. Sets and Costumes will be designed by
David Farley whose designs can be seen in the current Broadway production of
Sunday in the Park with George. Lighting will be designed by
Brian MacDevitt. Mr. MacDevitt earned Tony Awards for his designs for The Coast of Utopia, The Pillowman and Into the Woods. Music Direction will be by
Tom Kitt. Arrangements and Orchestrations are by
Jason Robert Brown.
The role of Evan Goldman will be played by
Graham Phillips and
Hudson Thames in rotating performances. Archie will be played by
Aaron Simon Gross. The role of Patrice will be played by
Allie Trimm.
Eric Nelsen will play Brett and
Elizabeth Egan Gillies will play Lucy. The role of Kendra will be played by
Ashton Smalling, Charlotte will be played by
Ariana Grande, and
Molly Will be played by
Caitlin Gann. The role of Cassie will be played by
Taylor Bright. A Connecticut native residing in New Canaan,
Eamon Foley, will play Steve.
Joey La Varco will play Bill, Kyle Crews will play Malcolm, and
Alberto Calderon will play Eddie.
Hudson Thames will understudy the role of Evan.13 will feature an all-teen band. The band members will be:
Adam Kaufman (Keyboard II),
Chris Raymond (Guitar),
Zach Page (Guitar), Zachary Coe (Percussion) and
Lexi Bodick (Bass).
13 is produced for
Goodspeed Musicals by
Michael P. Price. This production is made possible in part by assistance from
Bob Boyett. 13 was originally commissioned and produced by
Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles,
Michael Ritchie, Artistic Director;
Charles Dillingham, Managing Director.
13 will run May 9 through June 8 at The
Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn.. Tickets are on sale now through the Goodspeed box office at 860.873.8668 or online at
www.goodspeed.org. Special offer: Front row seating reserved for teens at just $13 each and are subject to availability.
Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre,
Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the
Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional musicals at The
Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The only regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The
Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of American Airlines, official airline of
Goodspeed Musicals; production sponsor Essex Savings Bank; additional support from Blum Shapiro; Hoffman Auto Group; Mohegan Sun; Henkel Corporation; Updike, Kelly & Spellacy P.C.; and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
