Dan's Papers -November 21, 2008 - Theater Review

Two new musical offerings, 13 and Rock of Ages, may be worth a look, depending upon your motivation. On Broadway, 13 is a smooth coming of age tale for the whole family, but geared to kids that age and performed by an entire cast of enthusiastic teenagers (including the onstage band). The show boasts some catchy tunes and several good performances by the youngsters. As a result of slick marketing and packaging, the kids may already be chomping at the bit to see 13, which could easily be the opening for a serious heart to heart parent/child talk about values, empathy and the effect of our choices.

Not that the book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn is all that deep, but it takes a realistic look at some of the challenges of adolescence, especially peer pressure. The story follows the hero, Evan (Graham Phillips), a 12-year-old New Yorker who is getting ready for a rollicking bar mitzvah party. His plans, however, go up in smoke when his parents get divorced and his mother transports him to Appleton, Indiana. Evan quickly makes friends with Patrice (Allie Trimm), an intelligent young girl whom he later learns is a social outcast at school. In his effort to get the others to like him and come to his bar mitzvah, Evan treats Patrice badly and sucks up to the "in crowd" led by Brett (Eric M. Melsen), an insensitive blonde jock, and Lucy (Elizabeth Egan Gillies), a shrewd cheerleader whose priorities are her own shallow self-interests.

The story feels like a "paint by numbers" picture, with numerous plotlines running off Evan's main conflict. The characters are pretty one-dimensional with the exception Archie (Aaron Simon Gross), who uses crutches due to a degenerative spinal disease. Gross' Archie even gets a duet with Evan, a vaudeville number called "Terminal Illness," that is probably the highlight of the evening.

The songs by Jason Robert Brown, in several styles from reggae to soul and pop, give the evening a lasting appeal; even though his lyrics have an imposed maturity about them that sounds silly for the teenagers. But the juxtaposition when the kids perform them is quite cute and clever. "It Can't Be True" and "A Little More Homework" are two of the more appealing.

Encouraged by director Jeremy Sams, the endearing cast members (13 of whom are making their Broadway debuts), are having the time of their lives. They deliver on-the-mark precision dancing and idol-like vocals with energy to spare.

Just Off-Broadway, on 42nd Street, the new jukebox musical Rock of Age, a campy romantic comedy with cute American Idol's hunk Constantine Maroulis, plays like a hard rock concert. The evening is almost two hours of nonstop music: 1980s pulsating hard rock.

The love story is played against a silly plotline that has German developers ready to bulldoze Los Angeles's Sunset Strip, including the club where the story is set. There are several stereotypical characters that you would find on the concert scene including the rock star, the wannabe star, the girl, and even strippers for added spice. Director Kristin Hanggi manages to get every ingredient just right. Here is a boldly entertaining show that is high on volume as well as silliness.

13 is playing on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 West 45th Street between Broadway on Eighth Avenue. For tickets and information on show time call 212-239-6200.

Rock of Ages is playing at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. For show times and tickets call 212-239-6200.

Theater critics Barry Gordin & Patrick Christiano are members of the Drama Desk. Barry is an internationally renowned photographer. Patrick is the artistic director of SivaRoad Productions. Visit their Web site at www.theaterlife.com .