“13: The Musical” is as synthetic as can be, but every five minutes or so there’s another number, and damned if they don’t pop.

"13: The Musical" taps into the wholesome innocence of middle school, but misses out on the complexities of the age group it’s ostensibly celebrating.

While every image is as bright and colorful as a new box of crayons, the kids themselves never come across as artificial, thanks in part to Jamal Sims’ naturalistic but crisp choreography, which emphasizes stomps and leans and long-legged strides.

I say go for it, especially if you aren’t familiar with the source material. Why commission new songs in place of the old ones that led to the shows success?