13 JR.
"Cool" is sometimes where you least expect it in this coming-of-age musical about fitting in.
Show Essentials
14
Roles
+ Ensemble
PG
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

Evan Goldman is a twelve-and-a-half- year-old New Yorker who is going through some major life changes: his parents are getting a divorce, he's been forced to move to Indiana, and his Bar Mitzvah is coming up ("Thirteen"). At least Evan has one friend in his neighborhood, Patrice, and he explains how important it is that his Bar Mitzvah is the best party ever - but Patrice explains that Appleton, Indiana, does not have much to offer ("The Lamest Place In The World"). Although she feels bad for Evan, she's glad he's come to her town, since now they're friends.

Evan plans to ask popular football star Brett Sampson to come to his party. Brett, Malcolm, Eddie, and a few other Guys are helping Brett prepare to talk to Kendra ("Hey Kendra"). When the guys don't have any ideas, Evan suggests that Brett take Kendra to a scary movie. Brett dubs Evan "the Brain" and stops Kendra and Lucy to invite Kendra to the movies on Friday night. Lucy interferes, saying that Kendra already promised to do something with her, but it's obvious that Lucy is lying. Evan is convinced that Brett will attend his party and says as much to Patrice, who tells Evan that it won't be fun because those guys hate her. Evan assures her that they don't know her like he does.

Evan passes out his party invitations on the first day of school ("Invitations"). Brett accepts, and so do Cassie and Molly - until Lucy notices that Patrice also has an invitation. The kids say they won't go if Patrice will be there, so Evan takes her invitation and rips it in half. Patrice is devastated.

Archie, who uses crutches due to muscular dystrophy, tells Evan he can make things right with Patrice if Evan gets him a date with Kendra. He says that Evan, as the new kid, has access to social groups in the school in a way that no one else does ("Get Me What I Want").

In the gym, Lucy, Kendra, Charlotte, and the GIRLS are at cheerleading practice. Through Lucy's point of view, we learn that she's jealous of Kendra and will do anything to go out with Brett ("Opportunity").

Archie finds Patrice in the library, writing in her journal. Archie tries to convince her to give Evan another chance, but she is very hurt ("What It Means To Be A Friend").

The next day, Brett asks Evan to get everyone Friday movie tickets for The Bloodmaster, an R-rated movie. The Kids watch as Evan figures out the logistics. He goes to Archie for help, and they succeed ("All Hail The Brain"). Evan invites Patrice to the movie, and though she's still mad at him, the prospect of going "out" with him is too good to refuse.

Suddenly, Evan realizes he's set both Archie and Brett up on the same date with Kendra. He tells Archie that all he can do is sit by Kendra, and Archie agrees. On Friday, Archie is late, so Evan sits in his seat to save it. Patrice, sitting in the back row, tells him that Archie is in the arcade "waiting for the perfect moment." Everyone is distracted by the gory movie as Brett wonders if Kendra likes him, Kendra wonders the same thing about Brett, and Patrice feels ignored by Evan. Finally, Archie enters, wearing a suit and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Archie takes his seat next to Kendra, and both he and Brett prepare to kiss her - just as Lucy pulls Kendra out of the way ("Any Minute"). Archie's and Brett's mouths meet, and RICHIE takes a photo of the moment. Archie tells everyone that Evan set him up on a date with Kendra, Brett tells Evan that no one will come to his party, and Kendra leaves. Lucy takes the opportunity to kiss Brett.

Evan laments that none of them will come to his party now, and Patrice is angry that he still cares what the others think - and that he paid no attention to her at all on their date. She storms off, and Evan swears that Archie is going to help him fix everything.

The next day at school, Malcolm and Eddie realize that Brett is being completely controlled by Lucy ("Bad Bad News"). Evan decides that if he can get Brett back together with Kendra, he'll be the hero and everything will be forgiven. He convinces Malcolm and Eddie to take him to Brett, even though Brett wants to beat him up. Archie sends Patrice after him to help, and she and Evan suggest that Brett tell Kendra how he feels ("Tell Her"). Brett interrupts a fight Lucy and Kendra are having over him and declares his feelings for Kendra - but Lucy gets revenge when she starts a rumor about Kendra and Evan ("It Can't Be True"). Lucy sets Kendra up to be caught with Evan and prove the rumors true. Brett catches them and threatens Evan, but Evan realizes that Brett has been a terrible friend all along and was never going to go to his party. He calls Brett a jerk, and Brett punches him.

Evan apologizes for taking so long to realize that Archie and Patrice were his true friends. Even though his Bar Mitzvah isn't the huge party he'd dreamed of, he has his friends, family, and parents together. He realizes that even though things aren't always perfect, they can still be okay ("If That's What It Is"). The whole cast returns to bow ("Brand New You").

Casting
← Back to 13 JR.
Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Children

Character Breakdown

Evan Goldman

Evan Goldman is facing a lot of big life changes: not only are his parents divorcing, but he’s also moving from New York City to Appleton, Indiana, right before his thirteenth birthday. Since Evan is Jewish, this is a big birthday, considering he will finally get to have his Bar Mitzvah. Evan is a good-hearted kid who gets wrapped up in his excitement over his party and makes some less-than-stellar choices. Though Evan is going through a lot and a bit high-strung, he’s smart and resourceful and ultimately does the right thing.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Patrice

Patrice has big dreams of getting out of her small town. She’s clever and a bit shy and marches to the beat of her own drum – but, unfortunately, these qualities make her an outcast at school. Patrice must have the most dramatic range, both as an actor and a singer, of any female in your show.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Archie

Patrice’s best friend. Archie walks on crutches due to his muscular dystrophy. He has a dark sense of humor and a general sense of urgency about living his life to the fullest, which includes going on a date with Kendra.

A note about Archie: it’s important to talk with your actor, and the whole cast, about muscular dystrophy and how the disease can affect someone’s life, especially if the actor playing Archie isn’t disabled.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Brett Sampson

The stereotypical “cool guy” – he’s athletic, commands a squad of minions, and is “not quite as bright as a postage stamp.” In addition to not being very bright, Brett isn’t a very nice person, although he finds himself in a genuine emotional dilemma over his feelings for Kendra.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: C6
Vocal range bottom: E4
Eddie

Part of Brett’s entourage.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Malcolm

Part of Brett’s entourage.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: E4
Cassie

A cheerleader.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Charlotte

A cheerleader.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Kendra

The most popular girl in school and is generally oblivious to how much attention other people are paying to her – she’s happy to work on her cheerleading and clueless when she’s included in the plots of others. Though, like Brett, Kendra may not be the smartest kid in school, unlike him, she doesn’t fall back on bullying and meanness – she’s genuinely nice, if somewhat shallow and a bit naïve.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Lucy

Kendra's best friend. The quintessential “mean girl.” She’s manipulative, dishonest, insecure, and unapologetic – although Evan is nicknamed “The Brain,” Lucy is the one pulling all the strings at the junior high.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Molly

One of the girls at school and quick to defer to Lucy. She is happy to gossip about the drama, though she’s never quite in the middle of any of it.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Simon

Part of Brett’s entourage.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Richie

Part of Brett’s entourage.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Guy 1

Part of Brett’s entourage.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G4
Ensemble

The ensemble for 13 JR. is comprised of the rest of the kids at school (Teenagers, Boys, Girls, Kids, and Guys in the script).

The "Thirteen" soloists' vocal range is shown below

Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Full Song List
13 JR.: Thirteen
13 JR.: The Lamest Place in The World
13 JR.: Hey Kendra (Part 1)
13 JR.: Hey Kendra (Part 2)
13 JR.: Invitations (Part 1)
13 JR.: Invitations (Part 2)
13 JR.: Get Me What I Need
13 JR.: Opportunity
13 JR.: What It Means To Be A Friend
13 JR.: All Hail The Brain (Part 1)
13 JR.: All Hail The Brain (Part 2)
13 JR.: Any Minute
13 JR.: Bad Bad News
13 JR.: Tell Her
13 JR.: It Can't Be True
13 JR.: If That's What It Is
13 JR.: A Little More Homework
13 JR.: Brand New You

Curriculum Connection

  • Math
  • Social Studies
  • Fine Arts
  • Technology
  • Language Arts

Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
100%
 
Music & Lyrics by JASON ROBERT BROWN
(50%)
 
Book by DAN ELISH and ROBERT HORN
(50%)
 
The following credits should be included on your program title page and in advertising and publicity whenever you provide full credits for your production:
"13" was Commissioned by Center Theater Group, Los Angeles, CA*
Subsequently produced for The Goodspeed Opera House by Michael P. Price,Executive Producer
Original Broadway Production Produced by Bob Boyett, Roger Berlind, Tim Levy,
Ken Davenport, Ted Hartley, Stacey Mindich, Jan Bergere, Broadway Across
America, Sharon Karmazin, Carl Moellenberg, Tom Miller, True Love Productions
/Olympus Theatricals and Center Theatre Group
 
* This line must be in boldface type.
 
13 JR.
is presented through special arrangement with
and all authorized materials are supplied by
Music Theatre International, New York, NY
(212) 541-4684 mtishows.com

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
ACTOR'S BOOK30
CHOREOGRAPHY VIDEOS DIGITAL1
DIRECTOR'S GUIDE1
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA1
GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL1
PIANO VOCAL SCORE1

Production Resources

Resource