With a blast of high voltage energy "13" is sure to rock the house at Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theatre
- Goodspeed Musicals announces the all teen cast of this new energetic musical comedy–
2008-04-11
East Haddam, Conn.: Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, announces the cast of 13, a new musical comedy about coming of age, teen traumas and high school survival. This latest Goodspeed production will hit the stageat 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 Brownwho won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Parade, composed for the Tony Award nominated Urban Cowboy, and wrote the off-Broadway hit TheLast Five Years. The book is provided by Dan Elish and Robert Horn.
The role of Evan Goldman will be played by Graham Phillips and Hudson Thames in rotating performances. Mr. Philipsappeared as Tiny Tim on Broadway in A Christmas Carol: The Musicalwith Jim Dale at Madison Square Garden, as Young Clyde in the world premiere of An American Tragedyat The Metropolitan Opera and as the Little Princein The Little Prince at New York City Opera. Los Angeles native Mr. Thamesrecently appeared in Distracted at the Mark Taper Forum, and the role of Jason in Falsettoswith Jason Alexander at the Wilshire Theater. Archie will be played by Aaron Simon Gross who has appeared Off Broadway as Pepicek in Brundibarat the New Victory Theatre and as BennyinA Stoop on Orchard Street at the Mazur Theatre. The role of Patrice will be played by Allie Trimm whose regional credits include Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden at Lamb’s Players Theatre, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe Theatre; and Annie Get Your Gun and The Will Rogers Follies at Moonlight Stage.
Eric Nelsen will play Brett. Mr. Nelsen’s credits include the Off Broadway productions of Time Being, Ragamuffins, Interaction,Every Man, Five Guns Four Bullets, and Dear Maudie among others. Elizabeth EganGillies will play Lucy. Ms. Gillies’ credits include The American Girl Revue in NYC as well as productions at John Harms Theatre/BergenPAC and The Paper Mill Playhouse. The role of Kendra will be played by Ashton Smalling who appeared as Baby June in Gypsywith Patti Lupone at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Ravinia Festival. Charlotte will be played by Ariana Grande, and Molly will be played by Caitlin Gann who recently playedBaby June in Gypsy at the Ivoryton Playhouse. The role of Cassie will be played by Taylor Bright who performed as July in the 30th Anniversary National Tour of Annie and as Heavenly Friend in the Walnut Street Theatre production of Carousel. A Connecticut native residing in New Canaan, Eamon Foley, whose Broadway credits include Gypsy, Assassins, and Dr. Seuss’How the Grinch Stole Christmas; will play Steve. Joey La Varco will play Bill, Kyle Crews will play Malcolm, and Alberto Calderon who will play Eddie recently appeared as Patrick in the 2007 Radio City Christmas Spectacular (75th anniversary production).
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 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 BecomesMe 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 by Jason Robert Brown. 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. 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.
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For more information, to schedule an interview, or to receive stock art, please contact Elisa Hale (ext. 323) or Dan McMahon (ext. 324) at 860.873.8664.