Josiah Irwin will perform as Archie in the show being held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Union County Performing Arts Center.Josiah Irwin, 14, of Basking Ridge. (Danielle Irwin)BASKING RIDGE, NJ — 14-year-old Josiah Irwin will hit the stage this weekend in Theatrical Artist’s Prep (TAP) performance of 13: The Musical, the electrifying Broadway hit from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown.Irwin, who will perform as Archie, is no stranger to the world of performing arts, on stage or behind the...
Josiah Irwin will perform as Archie in the show being held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Union County Performing Arts Center.
Josiah Irwin, 14, of Basking Ridge. (Danielle Irwin)
BASKING RIDGE, NJ — 14-year-old Josiah Irwin will hit the stage this weekend in Theatrical Artist’s Prep (TAP) performance of 13: The Musical, the electrifying Broadway hit from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown.
Irwin, who will perform as Archie, is no stranger to the world of performing arts, on stage or behind the scenes, theatre is their happy place.
Thrilled with the opportunity TAP has given them to bring the character of Archie to life. Josiah previously appeared on the main stage at MPAC in Newsies (Ensemble), Matilda (Ensemble), Beauty & the Beast (Ensemble), and member of Performing Arts Company.
Performances will take place at Union County Performing Arts Center’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
13: The Musical tells the story of Evan Goldman, a New York City teen suddenly transplanted to small-town Indiana in the wake of his parents’ divorce. As Evan navigates the trials of adolescence — friendship, popularity, first crushes, and the all-important bar mitzvah — audiences are taken on a journey filled with laughter, energy, and truth about what it means to find your place in the world.
Under the expert direction of Beth Kasper, with music direction by Emalina Thompson, produced and choreographed by Samantha Simpson, and scenic and lighting design by James Mosser, this production is bursting with personality and promises a truly exciting and thoughtful theater experience.
This high-energy production showcases 19 powerhouse young actors from across Union, Somerset, and Middlesex Counties and a live band.
Featured Cast
"Thirteen teaches the audience and performers alike that growing up is about finding yourself, valuing true friendship over popularity, and learning to make choices that reflect who you really are. Being part of this production and working alongside such a supportive team and talented peers has not only deepened those lessons for me, but has also helped me grow in confidence, collaboration, and self-understanding," said Isabella Ovalles (Patrice).
"What makes this production of 13 so special is not just the humor and heart of the material, but the way our young cast has embraced its depth. These are complex, sensitive themes about growing up - friendship, identity, belonging - and our performers approach them with a level of insight and respect far beyond their years. They’ve created real, living, breathing characters that audiences will instantly recognize, because we’ve all walked through these same moments of growing up. It’s honest, it’s heartfelt, and it’s deeply relatable," said TAP Owner, Samantha Simpson.
Tickets available at: theatricalartistsprep.com/upcoming-performances/13-the-musical. To learn more, visit theatricalartistsprep.com.