Todd Graff ("Camp") directs the work that began previews Dec. 22 for a run at the Center Theatre Group stage through Feb. 18. The new musical comedy from the composer of Parade and The Last Five Years concerns thirteen 13-year-olds dealing with the perils of teenage years in a middle school in Indiana. Dan Elish penned the book for the work, which was previously workshopped by CTG.

The cast and band — all teenagers — includes Ricky Ashley, Caitlin Baunoch, Molly Bernstein, Jenáe Burrows, Emma Degerstedt, Jamie Eblen, Julia Harriman, Jordan Johnson, Tinashe Kachingwe, Tyler Mann, Sara Niemietz, Ryan Ogburn, J.D. Phillips, Ellington Ratliff, Chris Raymond, Charlie Rosen, Alex Scolari, Chloé Smith, Christian Vandal, Nehemiah Williams and Seth Zibalese.

Michele Lynch handles choreography and David O is musical director. The design team features David Gallo (set), Candice Cain (costume), Mike Baldassari (lighting), Duncan Robert Edwards (sound) and Zachary Borovay (projection). Band direction is by Craig Wolynez, and the production stage manager is William Coiner.

The Taper will next play home to Lisa Loomer's Distracted (March 15-April 29) and a co-production (with New York's The Public Theater) of David Henry Hwang's Yellow Face (May 10-July 1).

Tickets for 13 at the Taper, 135 North Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, CA, are available by calling (213) 628-2772. For more information visit centertheatregroup.org.