13 book writer Dan Elish to meet Circle Players' cast, crew and fans 4/30

Saturday, April 30, will be a special day for the cast, crew and fans of Circle Players' upcoming production of the Jason Robert Brown musical 13, under the direction of Jamey London. The cast will have the opportunity to meet with Dan Elish, the New York-based co-author of the show's book, which has become a hit among teenage musical theater fans.

Elish - and his co-author Robert Horn - collaborated with the award-winning composer, lyricist and pianist Brown to write 13, a musical about growing up and fitting in. He said he looks forward to discussing the process of writing for the Broadway stage with Nashville theater fans.

Circle Players patrons will also get a chance to meet Elish at a question-and-answer session following the 7:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, April 30 at the Keeton Theatre, 108 Donelson Pike.

"I enjoy talking about 13, it is such a great showcase for talented kids who love to act, sing and dance," Elish explains. Prior to 13, he had written two musicals in college while majoring in music, and he is the author of several dozen children's and young adult books.

Elish admires Brown's work, and jumped at the chance to collaborate with him. He developed the book using Brown's basic storyline: a Jewish teenager from New York named Evan Goldman has to adjust to life in rural Indiana, just before he goes through the ritual of Bar Mitzvah, which, according to Jewish law, symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood.

However, Elish contends the show works so well because it goes beyond what a Jewish teenager experiences in his religion.

"The story is about growing up, about trying to fit in and being true to yourself," he said.

t took six years of developing, writing and workshopping the production before it looked promising enough for a New York mounting. After a successful 2007 run in Los Angeles, the show moved to the Great White Way, where Dan Elish worked with co-author Robert Horn to fine-tune the script. 13 premiered on Broadway in September, 2008, where it ran until its closing in January, 2009.

It now plays in community theaters across the country, with Circle Players' being the first company to produce "13" in Nashville.

13 runs Friday, April 22, through Sunday, May 8, at the Larry Keaton Theatre. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and one special 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, April 23. There is no show on Easter Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors ages 60 and up. Children six and under attend free. All tickets are $10 on Thursdays. Group discounts are available.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.circleplayers.net or by phone at (615)-332-7529. Individual tickets also will be on sale at the box office at the Keeton Theatre one hour before each performance.

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