I thought I would post some reviews from seeaplay.com in case people are questioning if they want to make the trip to Sac or not....
bare, Artistic Differences
Review: What an amazing show! I was fortunate enough to see opening night and this is deffinately a show not to miss! Its very rough and raw in alot of places but an emotional rollercoaster ride none-the-less. There were way to many problems with the sound, and at times a little hard to hear or understand some of the words but that is all made up for with the talent in this show. Kelly Daniels & Ian are perfection and the young man playing Peter truely touched my soul!! There is absolutey some amazing dancing going on. Its visually stunning! LOVED Wonderland & the Rave!! Made you want to get up and dance with the cast! so much fun. A Deffinate Go See this or you will miss out.
- Christine Swarthman (Vacaville)
Review: Had the privledge of seeing this show opening night! What an amazing show. was brought by a friend and it was so worth the trip. Had some sound problems and couldnt hear some of the words at times but all together and amazing show. Didn't even really know this show exsisted. Kelly Daniels & Ian were absolutely amazing and the young man playing Peter truly touched my soul. The most outstanding aspect of this was how professional and visually eye catching the dance was in this show! Wonderland & the Rave both make you want to get up and dance with the cast and the beauty of the death sceen really touches you. As good as any broadway show i've seen. Congrats to the cast and Artistic Differences for doing something so raw and different! We loved it!
- Jack Gorman
Review: What an awesome show. I cried, I laughed and had a Gay ole time. But still hetero Friendly (because we don't discriminate...unless your horribly dressed.) but seriously I can't say anything better about, just go see it.
Review: This show is more than a play; it is a truly rewarding experience. The story will captivate you with it's emotional plot and up-beat tempo. Behind all of the entertaining dancing and fantastic visuals there is a deep and thoughtful story unfolding as you find yourself apart of it emotionally. I went on opening night and was very glad I did. Despite some technical errors that I'm sure have been worked out the show was flawless. The acting and singing was beyond what I could have ever expected and the characters were developed and portrayed magnificently. I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed, appreciated, and LOVED this show. I suggest this show to anyone looking to see a well-done play. It is worth every second and every dollar spent. Be ready to laugh consistently while still enjoying an emotionally draining drama that will leave you wanting to see it again. Like I am going to do! It was one of the best plays I have seen in a long time and it will touch your heart and soul. GO SEE IT!
- Kenneth Willeford
Review: What an incredible show! An amazing score and script coupled with a breathtaking cast(my breath caught more than once) is just genius, not to mention the directing and choreography- flawless. Great use of the stage and set pieces(students dancing on top of tables, using the cubby-like space under the second level to show seclusion in a confessional). I would have to say Epiphany, Wonderland, Rolling, Best Kept Secret, Wedding Bells, Pilgrims, God Don't Make no Trash, Absolution, and No Voice were my favorite songs. Yes, I have that many favorites- it's that good. Lucas Blair was perfect as the introspective dreamer Peter. I heart ached for him, especially at the end of A Glooming Peace and during Absolution. Who knew the words, "I forgive you, Father" could be so powerful? Kelly Daniells as Ivy had the right parts of bitchiness, fear, sexuality, and insecurity. Ian Cullity, with his flirtatious half smiles that were given to everyone and completely focused stares that were directed only at Peter, showed the turmoil of his dichotomy plainly to the audience, who shared his pain. This show is a must see! Lastly, I have to give props to Morgan Elizabeth Cook, whose microphone pack fell and was dangling during God Don't Make No Trash; yet she stayed in character. You go, girl!
- Jenna Cedusky
Review: The production, Bare, was provacative and engaging. The moral, social and relational and internal conflicts depicted in the play were realistically conceived and artfully presented. Particularly thought provoking was the presentation of the church's role in creating and perpetuating ambiguity and anxiety in the community regarding the morality or immorality of homosexuality. The actors are fresh, and at times poignant, if not always in tune vocally. The nun's solo numbers were particularly upbeat and well sung. Bravo to Bare!
Review: This show was so amazing! I laughed, I cried, and I almost got up and danced!!! the choreography is incredible and the cast talented. Everyone should go see this show. Besides, the tickets are only $18, so why not?
- Dora
Review: Like the Sac Bee said it is the hottest ticket around right now! Lucas(peter) was amazing! He has captured the passion, sensitivity and heart of this role and even made me cry as he struggled to sing one of his final songs with the priest. The whole cast is pure brilliance. Every aspect of this show for me blended together perfectly including the movement and choreography in the show. usually you can tell at the community theater level that the movement/dancing is just randomly thrown in but whoever put this together absolutely is a master in storytelling through movement. it continues the story not distracts from it. Including a number called portrait of a girl (which was one of my favorites). the dancers in the background moved me with their percision in modern dance and i loved how strong and technically studied the men were. the whole thing is amazing and i cant find the words to say any more! you must go see.
- Chad Winthmore
Review: WOW! I saw this show Friday night (Aug
. I had seen the reviews here and on the Bee. I went in with pretty high expectations. I'm always a little nervous when I hear such great things because I often feel let down when I actually the show. This was NOT the case! This show is simply incredible. The singing is great, the dancing is wonderful. I was moved to tears several times. I laughed very hard numerous times. The entire cast is strong in all areas (acting, singing, and dancing). GO SEE THIS SHOW. Without question, this is the best show I have seen in Sacramento in the past 3 years. Buy your tickets online - there were many people who were turned away because they sold out (they sold out early, around 7:45). I do have one criticism. At the beginning of the show, it was hard hearing some of the dialogue. The sound design and sound operation should be FIXED ASAP!!
- Brian W
Review: I thought the play was very good. The actors/actresses were able to pull you into the production and make you feel as though you were one of their classmates. Great cast, an array of music and quick quips that were quite entertaining.
Review: When a show has so much hype surrounding it you have high expectations and ‘bare’ does not disappoint. Ian and Lucas as Jason and Peter respectively, were excellent. Both actors portrayed the confusion, love, thoughts, disappointments and desires with perfection. You wanted to laugh with them and you wanted to cry with them. Kelly Daniels played Ivy with the right amount of bitchy confidence yet vulnerability that is common among teenage girls. “All Grown Up” almost made me cry. The song is so powerful not only in its lyrics but in how it is performed in this production. You do not expect such a powerhouse voice some from such a petite actress. Josh Robertson plays a convincingly conflicted and love-struck Matt. In the fight scene his anger is so real that it makes you pull back in your seat to get a little further away from him. Joelle Wirth probably has the role with the most comedy (next to Sister Chantelle). She is able to seamlessly deliver the comedic portion of her character with the hurt, emotional, and sadness that is also her character. I have seen her in a few other productions and I think this show best portrays her wide vocal range. Joshua James and the lady who plays Sister Chantelle (sorry I don’t know her name..I don’t have my program with me as I write this) were stand out performers as well. I loved her ‘this is the real world’ character. There was not as much dance as I thought there would be given Gino Platina was the choreographer. Not to say this is bad; the choreography was great. It did not overpower the production which can sometimes happen when the choreographer and director are not the same person. I didn’t feel like I was watching a play that all of a sudden broke out into song and dance like a lot of musicals do. The transitions worked well for me. Lyrical, hip-hop, rave and other dance styles meshed perfectly with the acting, staging, singing and everything else that makes this show wonderful. Despite the heat of the theater I really enjoyed the performance being is such an intimate setting. I don’t think that show would have such a powerful impact if you were sitting in a theater that holds 500+ people. The only complaint that I have is during “Portrait of a Girl” the couples dancing in the background were off in the timing of their choreography. As a dancer it was slightly distracting but not enough to make me dislike the number. Overall this production was probably the best that I have seen in the community theater arena. Every aspect of this show was well done and I would recommend it to anyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or views. It is a story of love and loss, a powerful story of life that will touch anyone.
- Amanda
