Posted on October 5, 2008 at 9:08 pm

’13’ looks like lucky musical number
Anthony Venutolo/Newark Star-Ledger
Sunday, October 05, 2008, 9:51 PM

’13’
Where: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St., New York
When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays
How much: $76.50-$111.50. Call (212) 239-6200 or visit 13themusical.com

NEW YORK — A lively musical about growing up, “13” is the flip side of “Spring Awakening.”

While the latter hit explores teen angst in dark, woeful terms, the attraction that premiered yesterday at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre is humorous and optimistic as its adolescents bounce along to a happy beat.

Whether “13” is a recognizable musical comedy facsimile of junior high life today is for the younger set to judge. Last time I was 13 was back in 1967 at Kinnelon Junior-Senior High School (as it was known then) and youthful culture has changed a lot since.

Still, the anxieties expressed by the characters about being considered a loser, about overnight physical changes and about their sudden interest in sex are likely to ring bells of recognition with practically everybody. As the upbeat title song wonders: “Why is the world feeling suddenly stranger? Why are my friends acting totally weird? Why do I feel like my life is in danger? Why do I feel like my brain disappeared?”

Unlike the elaborate machinations of “High School Musical,” the 90-minute “13” story is straightforward. An Upper West Sider, Evan (Graham Phillips) is uprooted to small town Indiana. Striving to be accepted by his classmates, Evan worries whether the right bunch will attend his bar mitzvah, which he defines for the goyim as “a party with a hot DJ and wild dancing.”

Toadying up to the top dogs, Evan soon betrays his newfound friendship with nice Patrice (Allie Trimm) and otherwise finds himself snared in the dating games between jerky jock Brett (Eric M. Nelsen), pretty dimwit Kendra (Delaney Moro) and snarky beauty Lucy (Elizabeth Egan Gillies).

Culminating in a funny ensemble sequence during the screening of a slasher flick, the mutual point of interest in their triangle is “the tongue” (which back in my more romantic era was known as “frenching”). That’s about as racy as this profanity-free script gets, incidentally.

Sensitive souls may whinge about laughs involving Archie (Aaron Simon Gross), a kid with a degenerative disorder that puts him on crutches. But Archie is so nonchalant about his condition — he even exploits it — and Gross’ loopy ways are so very droll that he brings some welcome quirkiness to a story that verges on being rather white bread in its particulars. Anyway, no serious troubles confront these youngsters, while the conclusion proves to be earnest as the wised-up hero realizes, “One day I’ll be thirty, one day I’ll be fine, one day I’ll make fun of this dramatic life of mine.”

Sophisticates may sneer at such uncynical entertainment existing on Broadway, but “13” possesses a nimble, amusing book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn and, even better, a really enjoyable score by Jason Robert Brown.

Driven fast by catchy, dynamic rhythms and colorful orchestrations, Brown’s 16-song score is light, fresh and always tuneful in nature. Smart lyrics and a wide sampling of song styles — including rockabilly, R&B and even a wicked soft-shoe duet for Archie and Evan titled “Terminal Illness” — keep the musical energy level zooming as the intermission-free show speeds along.

Giving the impression of being real kids rather than cool professionals, the 13 members of an adorable ensemble jump and gyrate through Christopher Gattelli’s exuberant choreography. Along with Gross’ endearing portrayal of Archie, Phillips’ agreeable Evan and Gillies’ tempestuous Lucy are standouts among the leads, abetted by nice bits from Al Calderon and Malik Hammond as giddy sidekicks and Brynn Williams, whose vocals punch up the “Brand New You” finale.

Staged well and with a persuasive sense of spontaneity by director Jeremy Sams, the production benfits from designer David Farley’s airy blue-sky settings and brightly hued teen fashions.

Expect nothing fancy from “13” — just a sincerely good time.