Posted on January 24, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Standing (l to r): Kathryn Foley (Kendra); Elizabeth Gillies (Lucy); Hannah Freeman (Patrice); Evan Daves (Simon); Malcolm Morano (Brett); Eamon Foley (Richie); Danielle Freed (Molly); Sascha Peralta-Ramos (Cassie); Ariana Grande (Charlotte); JJ Singleton (Malcolm); Alex Greenzeig (Eddie); Aaron Simon Gross (Archie); On the floor: Douglas Fabian (Evan). Photo courtesy Vanessa Brown
We spent two weeks in January reading the newest draft of “13” at Ripley-Grier Studios in Manhattan with a wonderful group of actors. I had so much fun with the cast that I just wanted to let you see them all together. This is the fourth time we’ve cast the show (we did a New York reading in September 2004, the workshop in Los Angeles, the production at the Mark Taper Forum, and now this one), and we’re going into more casting for Goodspeed almost immediately, but I feel so much gratitude to every performer who’s given their time to our show. “13” keeps getting better because the actors keep teaching us what we’re doing wrong and what we’re doing right. Thanks to these thirteen awesome performers pictured above, and all the other “13” alumni!
20 comments
Sascha’s smile never left her face for two weeks straight during the “13” reading. She loved every minute of it and enjoyed each and every sweet person involved. Many thanks to you, Jason, for your talent and tenacity with the project and for just being the lovely person you are! I see another Tony in your future!
Yo JB!!!!!! My Pops is watching me do school work right now so I gotta be brief, but I just wanted to say thanks sooo much for the opportunity of being able to work with you and the cast. Keep up the great work, homi! Tony’s galore for you in the future, man! Peace!!!
The show was so much fun, thank you so much for the great opportunity. You’re the best composer ever, I see a Grammy coming around too!
Tonys! Grammys! Everything! They should make up an award for you! The “best composer on the face of the earth who is also really down to earth and cool” award!
Thank you so much! I really miss everyone already! This has truly been an incredible experience! Working with you has been awesome! I’m so proud to be on your website! Thanks again!
love always :]
ariana
These two weeks were so much fun! This show is AMAZING and your music is incredible. Thank you so much for this awesome experience!
Hi! I adore this picture! I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything…this was by far the most fun show I have done! And I think my mom is right about the Tony! xoxoxo! (still smiling) -Love Sascha
How sweet everyone looks! JRB what about tall 12 & 13 year old kids? How about chubby kids or kids with braces or Asian kids? Do any of the normal kids stand a chance of getting auditions or is it just good-looking teens? How about non-union? Or are auditions for equity only? Looks like it’s going to be a fantasmagoric show for our time, but we need some more kids we can relate to! Can’t wait to see the show!
FROM JRB: Hey Ming! It’s a fair point to raise, but bear in mind that this group of kids was cast in two days for the sole purpose of doing this reading; therefore, we needed kids who could learn the material very quickly and were experienced with how readings work. In that context, we ended up with a fairly homogeneous group (of fantastically talented kids!), but believe me, it’s not my intention – or that of anyone on the creative team – to end up with a cast that you can’t “relate to”!
YOU’RE AMAZING and really TALENTED! Thank you sooo much for this incredible experience! It was great working with you! I miss you guys!!! Thanks again!
Love, Kathryn 🙂
Mr. Brown,
Thank you so much for your kind response. I had one more quick question (I promise!). I saw there are auditions in NYC for equity chorus singers. Is there any possibility of seeing non-union performers? So very many thanks!
FROM JRB: Don’t ask me, I don’t know anything. Just send your picture and résumé to the casting office!
Aaron! I’m so proud of you! I was just doing my usual Jason Robert Brown stalking type thing and I came across this! That’s really impressive, man! Keep it up!
Your friend,
Xander
WOW!! That looks like a wonderful group of kids! I canot wait to see how this show turns out with these very talented actors and actresses! The plot sounds very exciting and funny and im ecstatic about the 13 teens that were chosen! Jason, I love all of the work that you have done and you are truly amazing! I most definitely see tons of Grammys and Tonys in your VERY near future. =D
Yours truly,
Alexa
I just checked The Goodspeed’s 2008 schedule, and “13” isn’t listed. Will it be a special performance or has it been added to the schedule and not been updated on their site?
FROM JRB: The Goodspeed hasn’t officially announced the show, presumably because the contracts are still being negotiated. I’m expecting to be there, but it’s not all confirmed yet, which is why the Playbill announcement uses the audition notice as its source.
Do we know yet when the “13” songs will be available?! Am desperate to hear more than the clips on the site! x
MING- we never got your picture and resume- if you want to audition get it to us asap:
MARK SIMON CASTING
240 WEST 44 STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
EVERYONE- PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL PICTURES & RESUMES
Hi. I was just wondering how many professional shows we need to have done to even be consider for casting? Also, do we need to be Equity? Please respond.
Thanks in advance!
[FROM JRB: The answers are None and No.]
Do you think you will go to French Woods camp to audition kids again?
[FROM JRB: As I said before, I’m not going to answer any more questions about this, because it never stops. Send in your picture and resume to Mark Simon, and we’ll see you soon!]
Hey Jason! I know this is long overdue but I just want to thank you for a really awesome experience. I hope the best for 13. The music is outstanding and belongs on Broadway. Peace!
-Doug-
I sent in my resume and headshot since I missed the open call. I haven’t heard anything, so can I assume there’s no interest? I didn’t want to call the casting office and bother them. Thanks.
Hey JRB,
The music is fantastic for “13”. Any place I can get the sheet music?
Thanks!
Hey,
This show seems great. I sent my picture and résumé to the casting place like 2 days ago. If i don’t hear back, that means they have no interest, right ?
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