13 - A New Musical - Chatswood Musical Society

13 - A New Musical - Chatswood Musical Society

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Posted 2017-07-02 by Emma Jane Explores (Emma Caldwell)follow

Fri 30 Jun 2017 - Sun 02 Jul 2017

Chatswood Musical Society has assembled a ferocious cast of youngsters in their production of Jason Robert Brown's 13.
The show focuses on Evan Goldman, played with flair by Kristian Babian, who is forced to relocate from New York to Indiana due to his parents' divorce. Evan's biggest concern with the move is that he won't be able to find friends in his new town to come to his Bar Mitzvah and he quickly sets about schmoozing up to the right people to become popular (i.e. the high school jocks and cheerleaders) even if it means stepping over his true friends, Patrice and Archie who are the social outcasts of the school.


Heather Campbell's direction is solid, utilising her skilled cast well throughout the show. Her staging of the scene where the kids all go to see an R-rated movie showcases her excellent directorial instincts. Jessica Manning's musical direction is strong, with harmonies executed to perfection. An area for improvement, however, was the balance of the band which at times overpowered the singers. The lyrics to the opening solo number that Evan sings were nearly completely lost as Babian was overpowered by the drums. Justin Jarrett's choreography compliments the piece nicely and makes the most of the cast's abilities. The stage was cleverly dotted with coloured blocks that gave off a sense of youthfulness and that the cast could use to create levels. The lighting design had some nice moments, but overall needed work as at times it was distracting and unfocused.


Kristian Babian is a charismatic Evan, navigating the leading role with confidence and honesty. Olivia McNamara is a revelation as the outcast Patrice. Her voice is sweet and strong and the subtlety with which she approaches her character is genuine and earnest. Jude Paddon-Row as Patrice's friend with a disability is pitchy at times, but his quirkiness and cheekiness is perfect for the character and he has the audience in his palm the entire night. Abby van Balkom and Savannah Clarke as the cheerleaders vying for the same boy's affection are both brilliant – Clarke shows off her dance skills as the sweet-as-pie Kendra and van Balkom puts in a star acting turn as the bitchy Lucy.


What is perhaps most refreshing about this piece is that you really get the sense that you're watching 13-year-olds being 13. Jason Robert Brown's writing focuses on the lives of these teenagers. They're not 13-year-olds playing token kids in a bigger story – the kids in his show are the story and the kids of Chatswood Musical Society's 13 tell it beautifully.

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!date 30/06/2017 -- 02/07/2017
%wnsydney
202131 - 2023-06-16 05:13:33

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