13! A New Musical

Hey I haven't posted in forever, but I have been writing a bunch of critical theatre essays lately and I figure I might as well post them up! This first one is about 13 which performed at VYT theatre in Phoenix last month.

Jason Robert Brown’s more recent new work, 13! A new musical, had its southwest premiere here in the valley at the Herberger Theatre center this February. 13! A new musical is about a 12-year-old, Evan Goldberg, and his move to Appleton, Indiana from New York City, his adjustment to being the new kid, and his efforts in throwing the perfect Bar Mitzvah all while turning 13. The production presented by Valley Youth Theatre was a successful one that brought together talented kids from around the valley. Their production was a glimpse into the real life struggles of young teenagers growing up today. VYT used kids who were around the same age of their characters with no actors older than 15 years old. They brought the reality of the show’s issues to the forefront by using young teenagers so that the audience may realize that it isn’t a parody but a semi-realistic example of junior high today. Their talent shone through, proving that it doesn’t matter how old you are, age shouldn’t limit your abilities.

The set design was helpful to the production, allowing the audience to see a multitude of settings so that each of the characters presented had a place to which they could associate with and belong to. Each of the main characters had their own bedroom with pseudo-walls to help personalize them so that the audience could relate with the individual characters.

The young actors were able to embody their characters quite well, adapting to the differences in their movements as compared to their own based upon their characters’ circumstances. Eighth grader Maxx Carlisle-King played the comedic role of Archie, the paraplegic outsider. Carlisle-King embodied the character well, showing the difficulties he faced in everyday life, in both dramatic and comedic ways. Carlisle-King added a large sense of comic relief to otherwise stressful scenes.

Two characters who added personality and life to the performance were the cool kid’s sidekicks, Malcolm and Eddie, played by Devin Sanders and Bransen Gates. Their lively performance and the powerful vocals they showcased stole the performance. Their energy and use of the stage to engage the audience helped bring the story along, providing yet another entertaining component.

Clare Emmert, who played the outcast Patrice, lacked some of the necessary acting prowess but made up for it in vocals. Emmert tackled some very challenging songs and pulled them off with ease. The power of her songs was used to demonstrate that while she may be seen as inferior to the popular crowd at school, it doesn’t mean that she will be held back by it.

The overall performance was effective in bringing forth the issues that face many young teenagers today as they grow up and experience changes in themselves and the changes in the world around them. Through set design, vocals, movement and acting, the production team and cast of Valley Youth Theatre’s performance of 13! A new musical provided the audience with an entertaining evening and an insight into the craziness and struggles in junior high schools.

Peter Pan: A Valley Youth Production

Just like the atmosphere at the Herberger Theatre Center, the show was professional, despite the age of the performers. Valley Youth Theatre, a theatre dedicated to working with people between the ages of 3 and 19, provides a great experience for both the audience and the young performers.
I was impressed by the talent that these kids have. Vocally, from the very beginning, everyone was spot on. From working through harmonies to keeping up with the orchestra, the kids never missed a beat.
The most outstanding part of the performance was the girl who played the role of Peter Pan. Despite being in high school, she brought a very child-like attitude and was able to portray the persona of the boy who was perpetually living in childhood. However, an aspect that greatly enhanced her performance and the production as a whole was the technical aspect.
The intricate set allowed for the actors to perform at many different levels and for the audience to see different scenes being portrayed at the same time. Not only this, but the intricate fly system that allowed for Peter Pan, Wendy and the others to soar above the set added an appropriately whimsical feel and a depth to the stage
I don’t know if you have ever try to control a bunch of elementary school boys but it is not an easy task, especially when you must coordinate them to dance and sing. VYT was able to not only control but also highlight the talents of the younger children in the production. An obvious complement to the young boys was the performance done by the teenage boys playing Captain Hook’s buccaneers. They provided great comic relief for the audience and seemed almost rowdier than the little boys themselves. You could tell that they really loved what they were doing and that they were having a good time.
The weak acting done by some of the lead roles left me upset at the end of the night. Wendy’s performance lacked the heart that the other roles had. By the end of the production, her bland characterization wasn’t memorable and she could have done more to bring the audience along the journey to Neverland with her. The little kids and rambunctious teenage boys stole the show, even when her character was supposed to be front and center.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at the professionalism and the outstanding performance done by the kids from Valley Youth Theatre. It was a performance worth seeing.