Most are making their Broadway debut, though some have credits in such shows at Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Chity Chitty Bang Bang, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and Chita Rivera: A Dancer's Life.
The musical with music and lyrics by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) and librettists Dan Elish and Robert Horn begins Sept. 16 toward an Oct. 5 opening at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
The 13 principal cast members include Al Calderon as Eddie, Eamon Foley as Richie, Caitlin Gann as Molly, Ariana Grande as Charlotte, Aaron Simon Gross as Archie, Elizabeth Gillies as Lucy, Malik Hammond as Malcolm, Joey La Varco as Simon, Delaney Moro as Kendra, Eric Nelsen as Brett, Graham Phillips as Evan, Allie Trimm as Patrice, Brynn Williams as Cassie.
Also in the cast are understudies Riley Costello, Henry Hodges, Mary Claire Miskell, Liana Ortiz, Max Schneider, Corey Snide, with on-stage teen band members are Lexi Bodick on bass, Zac Coe on percussion, Adam Kaufman on keyboard, Zach Page on guitar, Chris Raymond on guitar, Charlie Rosen (swing musician).
More details about the troupe are available at www.13themusical.com. *
13, A New Musical is directed by Tony Award nominee Jeremy Sams (The Sound of Music in the West End) and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific). Tom Kitt (High Fidelity) is the music director.
In the show, according to producers, "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 with his Mom… to Indiana. Uprooted from his old life, he has to make new friends and somehow maneuver his way through the minefield of High School to become part of the 'in-crowd.' A grown-up story about growing up, featuring the only all-teenage cast ever to hit Broadway!"
With "an explosive score by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown," it's a "hilarious, high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it."
The production features scenic and costume design by Tony nominee David Farley (2008's Sunday in the Park with George), lighting design by Tony Award winner Brian MacDevitt (The Coast of Utopia Part I) and sound design by Jon Weston (The Color Purple).
13, A New Musical earned the L.A. Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Production and Best Musical Score for its world premiere production at Center Theatre Group/The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles (Dec. 22, 2006-Feb. 18, 2007) and enjoyed a run at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT (May 8-June 9, 2008).
The musical is produced on Broadway by Bob Boyett, Roger Berlind, Tim Levy, Stacey Mindich, Jane Bergère, Broadway Across America, Ken Davenport, Ted Hartley, Sharon Karmazin, Carl Moellenberg, Jamie Lightstone/Nina Keneally, Tom Miller/True Love Productions, Olympus Theatricals, Center Theatre Group in association with Shorenstein Hays Nederlander and The Araca Group.
Tickets for 13, A New Musical can be purchased through Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.
The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W. 45th Street) box office will open on Aug. 25. For more information, cast videos and a free download of the title track, visit www.13themusical.com.
