Sorry I disappeared. I just had an awful, awful day, so it's time to relax into the BARE thread. *deep breath* My, it's grown.
Michael Arden's tallness - I didn't really notice while talking to him. But I'm 5'11", so it wasn't like he was towering over me. He's SO loveable - thought I'd mention that for the umpteenth time. It won't be the last, I assure you.
Revising the production - my recommendations (they're in a post waaay back) included reworking the finale, "No Voice" (it ends too abruptly and ambiguously, although still very powerful), giving Ivy less songs and more substance (I didn't sympathize with her at all, she was too flakey), and giving Jason and Peter an actual love duet (not a problematic love duet where they vent their frustrations, but one where we actually see that they're happy together). I have a few more nitpicks, but in general I actually found the production very smooth. Kristen Haggi's direction is wonderful: very focused and inventive.
Most of the major criticisms against BARE are things that are intrinsic to the play, so I don't know if they CAN be changed. Some have said it's too melodramatic - but it is adolesence, after all. I think that's what makes the show so powerful: that it wears its heart on its sleeve. (Plus, the show's full name already warns you that it's a pop OPERA, which is by definition melodramatic.) One big beef against the show is that it has a predictable plot, which is true; but the plot is so well-structured that I don't know how they'll be able to rework it without the entire thing falling apart.
Some have also criticized the score for not being catchy enough, and I used to agree to a certain extent; but now with the CD sampler, I've discovered that this score requires multiple listens in order to be hooked in - and boy, does it hook you in! I've been singing and humming these songs for two months now, and they don't get old. That's a much better alternative than having instantly hummable tunes that then get really annoying and tiresome.
So those are just a few things I wanted to point out. I have more to say, but for now - after an uber-long day - I'm exhausted. I better crawl into bed and dream of Michael Arden....*sigh*
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
Updated On: 7/10/04 at 12:38 AM