13 Reasons Why, Friday the 13th, 13 the unlucky number, what about 13 the Musical? Perry Theater Company presented the story of young Evan Goldman’s move from New York to small-town Appleton, Indiana. In this story he struggles with his parent’s divorce, preparing for his impending bar mitzvah, and navigating the complicated social circles of a new school. Sophomore, Matthew Pitman dares to take on the lead role of Evan Goldman. Pitman is not new to the stage; in last year’s production of Blues, Pitman was among the cast, but this is his first production at this school.

Pitman said he is “really honored to be able to receive such a high role at my class because [he knows] it’s harder to get a role and [he is] just grateful and [hopes] to continue.” Pitman added that he is excited about opening day and having his debut performance. However, with every great performer comes a great deal of nerves.

“I think I’ll be a little nervous because this is the most lines I’ve ever had in a show, but the people I get to work with make it easier and I am just excited to become a bigger part in Perry theater,” Pitman shared.

Director Shawna Marquis got the inspiration for 13 when “[she] saw this musical for the first time about five years ago at national competition and the energy of it, and [they] have a lot of younger looking actors in the program right now. So, it’s the perfect time to bring in and use that youth and the talent that [they] have.”

With having young talented people there comes new faces to the stage. Marquis shares that “the cast from this show is [the] company theater class, so it is going to be a different setting then one of our other musicals, because this show is taken on the road for competition so it has its own challenges, but they are enjoying themselves, but there is a lot more pressure because of the timing and the limited rehearsal times.”

Even the director can get the butterflies. One of the big nerves that comes with such a short time period is “getting the pieces to come together, but with our process I think we will make it,” Marquis said.

Senior, Nicholas Magel is portraying the high school jock, Brett. Magel does not let his nerves get to him, saying “this is a very interesting production because we have out state festival, the haunted house and then this is getting put together, but it has been worth it.”

After some hard work by the cast they completed the production and preformed on Sept. 21-23. One can say “That’s a wrap, Pumas” to 13 The Musical.