West End Stars to Support Birmingham Institute of Theatre Arts' '13'

West End Stars Kieran Brown, Lauren Samuels and Siobhan Dillon, patrons of the Birmingham Institute of Theatre Arts, are gearing up to support the part-­time performing arts school as they stage Jason Robert Brown's teen rock musical, '13' at Redditch Palace Theatre in September.

Kieran Brown (Phantom of the Opera, Wicked) said: "With students aged 11-­19, BITA has been rehearsing for months alongside its usual term-­time classes to bring this funny and moving musical to life. The musical, complete with live on-­stage band runs from 8th-­10th September.

"I'm hugely excited for the first BITA production, '13'! I've seen first hand how hard everyone has worked and continue to be blown away by the talent, commitment and passion from everyone involved. I'm sure this will be just the first of many un-­missable shows, and wish everyone the very best. The audiences are in for something very special!"

Lauren Samuels (BBC's Over The Rainbow, Bend It Like Beckham) said: "It's rare to see such exceptional talent from children, I feel privileged to have seen them perform a section from their new show '13' and trust me, you don't want to miss this!"

Chris Passey, Principal of BITA said: "Our students work so hard to realise their full potential, training with us alongside their full-­time education. The voices you will hear in this production are incredible and we are all very proud of them."

Tickets can be purchased from the box office, by calling 01527 65203 or online via www.birminghamita.org.uk. Tickets £15.00* & £13.50* (disc) *inclusive of booking fee £1 per ticket up to a maximum of £4.

Running Sunday's during term time from their studio in Birmingham, this part-­time performing arts school is not for profit. BITA is a NFP trading arm of 4Stage Arts Ltd.

About '13' - A grown-­up story about growing up! When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done. The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumours. With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-­winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 is a hilarious, high-­energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.

Creative Team: Produced & Designed by Amy Passey. Co-­Director/Musical Director - Chris Passey. Co-­Director/Choreographer - Attiye Partridge. Assisant Director - Ben Mackskimming. Lighting Designer - Andrew Exeter.

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