2017 is proving to be a great year for the British Theatre Academy. After their all-star sold-out gala fundraising concert of THE COLOR PURPLE last month at Cadogan hall, they've now announced a double-bill season at the Ambassadors Theatre in the heart of London's West End. 13 THE MUSICAL will join their other production THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO for multiple performances this August and we couldn't be more excited...
This season follows the success of previous BTA summer shows, The Secret Garden at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2016 and Annie Jr, which smashed box office records at the Arts Theatre in 2015. Those shows gave over 500 youngsters the chance to act for the first time in the West End.
Producer Matthew Chandler of the BTA said: “The Color Purple in Concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday was an unforgettable night for the audience and for our youngsters getting to perform alongside stars from the West End and Broadway. It is has been an incredible year for the BTA and to date all our productions and concerts have given 1,500 children the chance to perform on the West End stage. For our summer season, more than 2,000 young people auditioned for The Adventures of Pinocchio and over 1,000 teenagers for 13 The Musical. In total we have 17 teams of actors performing The Adventures of Pinocchio and 3 teams perfoming 13 The Musical.This is a fantastic opportunity for all the youngsters involved.”
13 THE MUSICAL
An original musical with music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown, (Parade, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, it premiered on Broadway in 2008 and is the only Broadway musical ever with a cast and band entirely made of teenagers.
13 The Musical is an hilarious, coming-of-age musical about discovering that “cool” is sometimes where we least expect it. Geek. Poser. Jock. Beauty Queen. Wannabe. These are the labels that can last a lifetime. With an unforgettable rock score, 13 The Musical is a musical about fitting in – and standing out! Evan Goldman is plucked from his fast-paced, preteen New York City life and plopped into a sleepy Indiana town following his parents divorce. Surrounded by an array of simpleminded middle school students, he needs to establish his place in the popularity pecking order. Can he situate himself on a comfortable link of the food chain... or will he dangle at the end with the outcasts?! Composed of a precocious cast, no character in 13 is older than the show’s title.The cast is comprised entirely of teenagers, but the stories that come to life here are ageless, the emotions they explore timeless, the laughter and the memories they provide priceless.
Creative team:
Director and Choreographer Ewan Jones
As a choreographer his work includes Ragtime at Charing Cross Theatre, which holds the all-time record for 13 Off West End award nominations, Travels with My Aunt (Chichester Festival 2016, Minerva Theatre). As Director and Choreographer, The Three Little Pigs
(Palace Theatre, London/UK Tour/International Tour) which saw him nominated Best Choreographer in the 2015 BroadwayWorld awards.
The British Theatre Academy:
The British Theatre Academy is a unique performing arts programme that has inspired and nurtured the talent of thousands of young performers over the past 30 years! We believe that children should be trained as professionals by professionals. Our team maintains an established link with casting directors, music producers, and talent agents across the world. We are passionate about releasing the individual skill and flair of each student in all aspects of their chosen field. Our experienced creative team provide exceptional training and are dedicated in preparing and inspiring our students at the highest level. Last Summer the BTA brought The Secret Garden and Godspell into the West End where over 500 outstanding cast members wowed the audiences all summer long and performed alongside musical theatre stars Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimlooo and George Maguire.
Listings info:
THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO
Ambassadors Theatre
West Street
LONDON
WC2H 9ND
Box Office: 020 7395 5405
www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk
Wednesday 28 July - Wednesday 30 August
Press Night
Tickets from £12.50
Running time:
1 hour 15 mins (no intermission)
Performance Schedule
11.00am: Thu 27 July, Sat 29 July, Sun 30 July, Tue 1 Aug, Thu 3 Aug, Sat 5 Aug, Tue 8 Aug, Thu 10 Aug, Sat 12 Aug, Sat 26 Aug, Mon 28 Aug, Tue 29 Aug, Wed 30 Aug
12noon: Fri 28 July, Fri 4 Aug, Thu 10 Aug
2.00pm: Mon 28 Aug, Tue 29 Aug, Wed 30 Aug
2.30pm: Tue 1 Aug, Tue 8 Aug,
3.00pm: Fri 25 Aug
3.30pm: Fri 28 July, Thu 10 Aug
5.00pm: Tue 1 Aug, Tue 8 Aug,
8.00pm: Wed 28 July, Tue 1 Aug, Tue 8 Aug,
Presented by arrangement with R & H Theatricals Europe
13 THE MUSICAL
Ambassadors Theatre
West Street
LONDON
WC2H 9ND
Box Office: 020 7395 5405
www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk
Wednesday 16 August Wednesday - 23 August
Press Night Thursday 17 August at 8pm
Tickets from £12.50
Running time:
1 hour 45 mins (no intermission)
Performance Schedule
10.30am: Thu 17 Aug, Fri 18 Aug, Sat 19 Aug
12noon: Wed 23 Aug
2.00pm: Mon 21 Aug
4.00pm: Wed 23 Aug
5.00pm: Tue 22 Aug
8.00pm: Wed 16 Aug, Tue 22 Aug, Wed 23 Aug
This youth production is presented by arrangement with
Music Theatre International (Europe)
