Theater Review: 13 at LA's Mark Taper Forum - Page 2

Of course, Kendra is a cheerleader. I guess not much has changed in American high schools, yet somehow I doubt that kissing was the only thing contemporary 13-year-old girls and boys thought about, and I imagine that means their actual dialogue has to be much more trashy, particularly amongst an all-guy group.

This reminds me of one of those family value TV programs like That's So Raven or Hannah Montana, which is safe programming for 13-year-olds, but I wonder if it isn't meant for younger children and to comfort adults (who might force 13-year-old kids to watch). Unfortunately, with the price of tickets and the time (8 p.m. curtain), most of these kids won't be able to see this musical, which ends its run on February 18.

In the end, this is a great showcase for young, up-and-coming musical comedy stars, but not satisfying for adults. Maybe this 90-minute, no-intermission musical really belongs on TV.

Article Author: Purple Tigress

Former theater critic for the LA Weekly and Los Angeles Times . For the last five years, an editing slave at a dot-com but recently laid off. Currently an under-employed freelance writer and artist.

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