The original cast “13: A new musical” Oct. 30, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) The Broadway musical “13,” about a teenager adjusting to life in a new town while preparing for his bar mitzvah, will become a Netflix movie produced by Neil Meron (“Chicago,” “Hairspray’).
The musical, which played for five weeks at the Mark Taper Forum in 2007 before its Broadway run the following year, starred an all-teenage cast and band including then-rising stars Ariana Grande, Elizabeth Giles (“Victorius,” “Dynasty”) and Graham Phillips (“The Little Mermaid Live!” “The Good Wife”).
The story centers on Evan Goldman, a 12-year-old who moves from New York City to Indiana with his mother after his parents’ divorce. He has to navigate the intricacies of the social circles at is new school while studying for his Jewish rite of passage.
Robert Horn will adapt the script based on his and Dan Elish’s book, and Jason Robert Brown will compose new songs for the movie. Tamra Davis will direct.
Casting is underway for pre-teens with Broadway experience. Production is expected to begin in August.
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