13 THE MUSICAL

13 THE MUSICAL

Young Gen at the Cramphorn Theatre

28.04.17

Jason Robert Brown's ground-breaking musical – now almost ten years old – was notable for casting players, and musicians, entirely from talented teenagers.

Now, in the cosy Cramphorn, our own talented youngsters give this rather uninspired show a lively, polished outing, directed by Jimmy Hooper. There's plenty of teenage humour, and all the accents are consistently convincing, too.

It's the story of young Evan who leaves New York for Indiana after his parents split up, and as he prepares for his bar mitzvah, discovers, to no-one's surprise, how awful kids can be to each other, and how hard it is to be thirteen.

He's played by Charlie Toland, very good in his final speech, and convincingly awkward and insecure, though he might have earned more sympathy by using eye contact to connect with the whole audience. Two other “losers” are excellently played by Oliver Gardner as Archie, using his life-limiting illness to manipulate his peers, and Heather Nye as the bookish Patrice – the freak – a very engaging performance, impressively sung.

Villains of the piece are bone-headed jock Brett [Matt Barnes], well supported by a terrific trio of cronies – their numbers some of the best moments of the evening. And the horrendously jealous, controlling Lucy, very effectively characterised by Hope Davis. Victim of her wiles, the wholesome cheerleader Kendra, appealingly played by Phoebe Walsh.

The huge ensemble is inventively used, from the energetic opening number, through the movie theater to the stunning “Brand New You” finale. I liked the gossip number, and the mad moment of Heidi wigs and Busby Berkeley. And I was pleased to see the Rabbis replaced by five geekish cameos for Being A Geek.

The set wisely doesn't try to bring us the gymnasium, the Dairy Queen or the girls' bathroom. Instead there are ingenious revolving panels and two staircases, all plastered with stickers and collages. And, high above the action, Bryan Cass and his musicians, driving the rock and reggae rhythms.

production photograph: Barrie White-Miller

13 THE MUSICAL

13 THE MUSICAL

BOSSY at the Brentwood Theatre

07.11.15

The first musical on Broadway with an all-teen cast. And now in Brentwood, with the energetically talented BOSSY team as the kids of Dan Quayle Junior High.

Jason Robert Brown's show tells the unremarkable story of a Jewish boy approaching his Bar Mitzvah. His parents divorce; he leaves New York with his mother for Appleton Indiana, the lamest place in the world. But along the way the songs have a lot to say about the insecurities and the emotions of those teenage years.

Jonathan O'Neill is outstanding as the angsty Evan – permanently worried about being popular, confused by the pressures from those around him. He has an easy rapport with the audience, and delivers the numbers and the gags with precision and style.

Elsewhere, the singing is confident, but not always accurate, and some of the best lines are under-delivered.

Enjoyable work, though, from Dan Pugh as Archie, the boy on crutches [his duet with Evan a musical highlight], Maisie Threadgold-Smith as Patrice, shyly flirting with the new boy on the block, Francesca Green as object of desire Kendra and Lydia Abbotts as the treacherous Lucy.

Cool jock Brett is played by Adam Ellis; amongst his gang, Sam Johnson stands out as a lively, sparky Eddie.

Gaynor Wilson's production is strong on dance and movement; the setting is simple, with revolving towers suggesting the locker room, the library, the soda machine and the school bathroom, where the girls film the cat-fight on their cell-phones. The Tell Me trio is a strong concept, expressively staged; the movie theater scene and the Getting Ready number are effective too.

The trials and tribulations of the teenager are a universal theme. Jewishness less so – the chorus of rabbis for Being A Geek is interminably unfunny.

Andy Prideaux and his band provide stylish accompaniment for this enjoyable coming-of-age musical – an excellent choice for this enterprising group of youngsters.