Teen Brain: The Musical

At last it's Friday night for eight teens! After careening through a stressful week of schoolwork, difficult choices and drama surrounding family and friends, they're ready for an unchaperoned party. The impulsive decisions of all eight young people result in a consequence that might have been foretold—even prevented—were it understood that teens are working with a brain revealed by the latest neuroscience to be, at best, a "work in progress." Teen Brain: The Musical entertains while dramatizing how the neural gawkiness of the beautifully mysterious, rapid-speed, impulsive teen brain often results in vexing and inconsistent behavior, occasional misfires and, all too often, tragic consequences. This honest look at the rich complexities of teen behavior contains fast-paced scenes along with sharp dialogue and a hip, memorable score that includes "Like Me, Like Me," an ode to Facebook; "Work in Progress," a mad scientist's vision of the teen brain; and "When I Was Small," an emotional reflection about how simple life used to be. The dialogue, action and spirit of Daugherty's "teen issue" plays have always rung true to teens, their families and the therapeutic community. Nothing gets in the way of the intended message. The work is engrossing and entertaining theatre. Nick Martin's smart songs for Teen Brain: The Musical follow you from the theatre, providing an enhanced experience that will leave teens with a better understanding of themselves, adults with a better understanding of their teens and both with the tools to change dangerous behaviors—and perhaps save a life. Premiered at Dallas Children's Theater.