How Old Were The Cast Of 13: Unpacking The Ages Of Broadway And Netflix Stars
Have you ever wondered about the actual ages of the young performers who brought "13" to life? It's a question many fans ponder, especially when a show centers around a very specific age. You see, the musical "13" is all about that awkward, exciting time right before you become a teenager, when you're just about to turn 13. So, naturally, people often ask, "how old were the cast of 13" when they were singing and dancing on stage or appearing on screen? It's a pretty interesting thing to think about, actually.
The show itself, whether the original Broadway production or the more recent Netflix film, really tries to capture that unique feeling of being on the cusp of adolescence. This means the actors playing these roles face a unique challenge. They need to embody characters who are, in a way, still very young, yet also dealing with some pretty grown-up feelings and social stuff. This makes the question of their real ages even more fascinating, don't you think?
For fans who grew up with the musical or are just discovering it now, understanding the ages of these talented individuals gives you a different kind of appreciation for their performances. It's almost like looking back at something that might feel a bit old now, like a memory from a while ago, and seeing how it all started. This article is going to take a closer look at the performers from both the stage and screen versions, giving you a clearer picture of their ages when they took on these memorable parts.
Table of Contents
- The Original Broadway Cast: Ages on Stage
- The Netflix Film Cast: Ages on Screen
- The Casting Challenge: Playing 13 When You're Not
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Cast's Ages
The Original Broadway Cast: Ages on Stage
The musical "13" first opened on Broadway in October 2008. This means the young actors involved were stepping into their roles around that time. It's quite something to be performing on a big stage at such a tender age, isn't it? The show needed performers who could genuinely portray the energy and innocence of kids on the brink of their teenage years. So, they had to find actors who were, you know, just about that age or slightly older, but still looking quite young. It’s pretty important for the story, actually.
Graham Phillips as Evan Goldman
Graham Phillips took on the lead role of Evan Goldman, the new kid in town trying to fit in. When the show premiered on Broadway, Graham was born on April 14, 1993. This means that in October 2008, he was around 15 years old. So, while he was playing a 12-year-old turning 13, he himself was a bit older. It's a common thing in theater, to be honest, where actors might be a couple of years older than their characters.
| Personal Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Graham David Phillips |
| Role in "13" | Evan Goldman |
| Date of Birth | April 14, 1993 |
| Age at Broadway Premiere (Oct 2008) | 15 years old |
| Current Age (as of late 2023) | 30 years old |
Ariana Grande as Charlotte
Before she became a massive pop star, Ariana Grande was part of the original Broadway cast of "13," playing the role of Charlotte. She was born on June 26, 1993. When the show opened in October 2008, Ariana was also around 15 years old. It's fascinating to see how many of these young performers went on to achieve incredible success. She was, in a way, just starting her very big journey, so to speak.
| Personal Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ariana Grande-Butera |
| Role in "13" | Charlotte |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1993 |
| Age at Broadway Premiere (Oct 2008) | 15 years old |
| Current Age (as of late 2023) | 30 years old |
Elizabeth Gillies as Lucy
Elizabeth Gillies, known for her powerful voice and stage presence, portrayed Lucy, one of the popular girls. Elizabeth was born on July 26, 1993. Similar to Ariana and Graham, she was also about 15 years old when "13" premiered on Broadway. These three were very close in age, which is pretty neat. It probably made their interactions on stage feel very real, too.
| Personal Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Egan Gillies |
| Role in "13" | Lucy |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1993 |
| Age at Broadway Premiere (Oct 2008) | 15 years old |
| Current Age (as of late 2023) | 30 years old |
Other Key Broadway Performers
The cast of "13" was quite large, and many other talented young people were part of that original Broadway run. For example, Allie Trimm, who played Patrice, was born on October 26, 1994, making her just shy of 14 when the show opened. Aaron Simon Gross, who played Archie, was born on July 10, 1995, meaning he was 13 years old. So, in some respects, some of the cast members were, in fact, the same age as their characters, which is really cool.
Other notable actors like Delaney Moro (Kendra), Eric Nelsen (Brett), and Malik Hammond (Malcolm) were also generally in the 13-15 age range during the show's run. It's a testament to the casting directors that they found such a group of young individuals who could carry a Broadway production. It's almost like a snapshot of a particular time, isn't it? A time when these young people were just starting their careers, and the show itself was quite new, not yet dating from the remote past, as one might say about truly old things.
The Netflix Film Cast: Ages on Screen
Fast forward to 2022, and "13: The Musical" got a fresh new look as a Netflix film. This meant a whole new group of young actors took on the beloved roles. The film aimed to bring the story to a new generation, and with that came a new cast, naturally. The goal was still to find performers who could convincingly play 12 and 13-year-olds, but with a slightly different feel for the screen. It's a little different than live theater, you know.
Eli Golden as Evan Goldman
Eli Golden stepped into Evan Goldman's shoes for the Netflix adaptation. Eli was born on October 18, 2006. When the film was likely shot in mid-to-late 2021 (it was released in August 2022), Eli would have been around 14 or 15 years old. So, much like Graham Phillips before him, Eli was a bit older than the character he portrayed. This is often necessary because younger actors have stricter working hour regulations, and slightly older teens can handle the demands of a film set more easily, in a way.
| Personal Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eli Golden |
| Role in "13" | Evan Goldman |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 2006 |
| Approx. Age During Filming (2021) | 14-15 years old |
| Current Age (as of late 2023) | 17 years old |
Gabriella Uhl as Patrice
Gabriella Uhl played Patrice, Evan's first friend in his new town. Gabriella was born on November 21, 2007. This would place her age during the 2021 filming period at around 13 or 14 years old. She was pretty close to the character's age, which is pretty cool. It really helps bring that genuine youthful feel to the screen, you know, when the actors are truly that age.
| Personal Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gabriella Uhl |
| Role in "13" | Patrice |
| Date of Birth | November 21, 2007 |
| Approx. Age During Filming (2021) | 13-14 years old |
| Current Age (as of late 2023) | 16 years old |
Frankie McNellis as Lucy
Frankie McNellis took on the role of Lucy, one of the popular girls, in the Netflix film. Frankie was born on August 10, 2006. During the 2021 filming, she would have been around 14 or 15 years old. So, like many of her castmates, she was slightly older than the 13-year-old character she was portraying. It just goes to show that looking the part is often more important than being the exact age, very often.
| Personal Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Frankie McNellis |
| Role in "13" | Lucy |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 2006 |
| Approx. Age During Filming (2021) | 14-15 years old |
| Current Age (as of late 2023) | 17 years old |
Other Notable Netflix Performers
The Netflix cast also featured a host of other talented young actors. JD McCrary (Brett) was born in 2007, making him around 14 during filming. Lindsey Blackwell (Kendra) was also born in 2007, placing her in a similar age range. Ramon Reed (Malcolm) and Nolen Dubuc (Archie) were likewise born in 2006 and 2007, respectively. This means the entire primary cast was generally between 13 and 15 years old when they made the film. It's pretty consistent, you know.
It's interesting to consider how the ages of the cast members might influence the portrayal of characters who are, as the "My text" puts it, "dating from the remote past" in terms of their childhood innocence, yet also "having lived for many years" for their young age. The actors' slightly older ages sometimes bring a bit more maturity to the performances, which can be a good thing for the story, actually. They still capture that youthful spirit, though.
The Casting Challenge: Playing 13 When You're Not
Casting a show like "13" presents some rather unique hurdles. The characters are, by definition, 12 and 13 years old. However, finding professional actors who are precisely that age and can handle the demands of a Broadway stage or a film set is pretty tough. Child labor laws, school requirements, and the sheer stamina needed for long rehearsals and performances often mean that casting directors look for actors who are a little bit older, but still look young. It's a practical consideration, very often.
So, you often see performers who are 14, 15, or even 16 playing characters who are 13. These slightly older teens often have more experience, can work longer hours, and might possess a greater emotional range to tackle the story's themes. It's a balancing act, really. They need to appear young enough to be convincing, yet be mature enough to deliver a strong performance. This is why, when you ask "how old were the cast of 13," the answer is often "a little bit older than 13," which is quite typical for these kinds of productions, to be honest.
The goal is to capture the essence of that specific age, that feeling of being on the edge of something new, rather than strict adherence to age. It's about the feeling, you know? The show itself, in a way, has been around for some years now, you might even say it's getting a bit old in terms of its original debut, but its themes are still incredibly relevant to young people today. That's a pretty powerful thing, actually, for a story to hold up so well over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cast's Ages
Many people have similar questions about the ages of the performers in "13." Here are some common ones:
How old was Ariana Grande in 13 the musical?
Ariana Grande was born in June 1993, so when "13" opened on Broadway in October 2008, she was 15 years old. She played the role of Charlotte, one of the popular girls in the show. Her talent was pretty clear even back then, you know.
How old was Eli Golden when he filmed 13?
Eli Golden, who played Evan Goldman in the 2022 Netflix film, was born in October 2006. When filming likely took place in 2021, he would have been around 14 or 15 years old. He did a great job, actually, bringing the character to life for a new generation.
Were the actors in 13 actually 13?
While some actors were indeed 13, or very close to it, many of the primary cast members in both the original Broadway production and the Netflix film were slightly older, typically 14 or 15 years old. This is pretty common in professional productions for various reasons, as we've discussed. They certainly looked the part, though, which is what matters most, in a way.
Understanding the actual ages of the performers who brought "13" to life, both on stage and screen, adds a cool layer to appreciating their work. It shows the incredible talent and dedication these young actors possessed, especially when they were so young. It's a reminder that great performances can come from people of all ages, even those who are just starting out. To learn more about the musical itself and its lasting impact, you can explore our site. You can also find out more about the actors who made these characters so memorable.
For more insights into the world of musical theater and film, consider checking out resources like Playbill, which often has archives detailing original cast lists and production information. Playbill.com is a good place to start for Broadway history, for instance. It's pretty interesting to see how these shows evolve and how new talents emerge over time, isn't it?
How Old Were Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed in 'Thirteen'?
Meet Netflix's '13: The Musical' Cast - Newsweek
Thirteen (2003) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
