BARE cast — Page 90

And with that Steve, you've completely sold me! I just ordered two tickets for September 24th! Can't wait to see it with Trisky. :)

Yay! So good to have the BFF looking out for me and so glad to have someone else to be able to be so passionate about so many similar things.

Now, if only I were independently wealthy so I could see Bare every night in a little reserved seat in the corner. Hee!

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It's so nice to hear how you feel about building fandoms and communities around a theatrical production.

The genius of Johnathan Larson was that he cared about the fans. He remembered what it felt like to be "little" and "poor" and wanting desperately to see the great shows on Broadway. What he could not forsee was that those folks lined up for tickets would create communities among themselves and friendships that last to this very day.

When the Rentheads started leaking over to The Last Session, I felt like I had been swept up in a wave of love and acceptance that knew no bounds. I've told this story before, but it illustrates why I believe in these communities (even when they squabble and fight).

At one point during our run in NY, I got sick and had to go home. I was really depressed, Jimmy and I had broken up, I was alone and feeling about as isolated and sad as I could be. And how ironic! Here I had attained a lifelong dream: a show running in New York that fans were passionate about and critics hailed.

It was the fans that kept me alive and in touch with the show. It was places like All The Chat where people met with the stars, and told me stories of how the show had changed their lives. The community we created reached out to me and they never knew it. I never really revealed what they had done for me because I was hiding my depression and hiding our separation.

So, you see, there were people just like yourselves, doing nothing but gossiping about the show, talking about themselves and what it meant to them, who touched me and got me through a very rough period -- and they never knew they were doing it. Right now, there are lots of people reading these threads, listening to your passion about Bare and enjoying the "love" and community that you are creating.

Theatre is life is theatre.

We travel a lot in both rural and urban cities. Where do you live? It's possible we could show up literally anywhere.

I am in sad to say that the nearest city I live by is Detroit, MI. No reallly it is not that bad it just feels like I miss out on a lot, but fortunatley a great deal of things do tour here.

I checked the link and I did not see it on the tour page, do you have any plans to brave good old Detroit?

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You know, you never really think about your position as the fan too much. I often think I'm imposing, or that I seem odd to be so passionate about something I'm not directly involved in.
That's understandable. When you fall in love with something or someone, it makes you vulnerable. You are opening yourself up and if someone betrays that, especially someone you've opened your heart to, then it hurts and you feel foolish. Add to that all the naysayers who think you're being "stupid" to geek out over a show.

But when I think of it this way, I can see my involvement quite clearly, that if it weren't for the folks like myself and the rest of the passionate fans of Bare (or any other show/musician/actor, etc.) there wouldn't be a show to support to start with.

Oh, there might be a show. But it would exist only in the head of the creator. Trust me, word of mouth is what sells a "little" show like Bare which is basically coming out of nowhere. It rises and falls based on your/my/our passion for it. I was in the studio last week with Damon as he was going through some charts with the musicians. I couldn't stay long but he looked great. He's very pumped up about New York. And he's determined to make a great new cast album.

It must be one too many bad experiences with actors who don't seem at all grateful to have fans that's given me that perspective.

Some actors are uncomfortable with "fans." They want to do their job and then go home. Each to his own.

Seeing the young, eager and earnest cast and crew involved in this show has slowly begun to change that opinion for me. They seem to genuinely love and care about what they're doing, and care about what the fans are thinking. It's a symbiotic relationship, none of us would exist and thrive without the other.

I'm so happy to hear that this is the case. I haven't really been close to the show since we've been on the road while it's been in New York. I love that we're arriving at almost the same time. Do you know when Bare starts previews?

Honestly, thank you so much for your words tonight, it's really given me food for thought.

You are most welcome. (And I apologize if I've hijacked the thread).

Steve's Diary

I checked the link and I did not see it on the tour page, do you have any plans to brave good old Detroit?

Right now we have no plans for Detroit, unfortunately. And thanks for reminding me I'm way behind on updating my tour page.

If only everyone in the theater community shared your sense of devotion to and from the fans. I agree about how little things (or so some people think) can get you through the rough spots.

I just wanted to share that story. I never knew how much the fans would mean to me. The Last Session is actually the first musical to make it to New York based on its presence on the Internet. It was a diary page reader who funded our staged reading there, which eventually led to the 47th St. Theatre. Our cast was led by Bob Stillman who was since nominated for a Tony for Dirty Blond.
The Last Session website

Updated On: 8/31/04 at 09:45 PM

Newcomer you must come, if you can!

Steve, the previews for Bare start on October 13th.

Add to that all the naysayers who think you're being "stupid" to geek out over a show.

Then there's the matter of not being able to truly put into words what something means to you, to someone who can't/won't understand why it would. Either because they haven't been touched by it themselves, or because they just can't imagine being that transfixed by something. Though deep down inside, I think we all have a passion/fanaticism for something or someone.

Oh, there might be a show. But it would exist only in the head of the creator. Trust me, word of mouth is what sells a "little" show like Bare which is basically coming out of nowhere.

The only thing I can relate it to is when I'm writing something that feels like it only makes sense in my head, and I put it out there and not only do people get it, but it touches them and they tell me. I'm constantly amazed at that and grateful to just have an outlet to let it all out.

I've done my best to spread the word about this show, to pretty much anyone who would listen. So far it's been a successful campaign and hopefully it'll translate into getting butts into the seats!

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It hits me on so many levels being a closeted (to most people) gay man. Music and theater have always been a part of my life, and the message of this show put into music just hits me hard. I can't help but tear up from "Cross" the the end of the show. I've tried not to, but I always tear up.

The Closet is as evil as anything that exists. It destroys your self-worth, it causes permanent stress because you're always hiding, always lying, and saddest of all, people stay in the closet because of religion. That's why Bare hits such profound levels of emotion for so many people. Whether you're gay or not, being in the Closet about anything is evil.

(We have a song in The Big Voice called "The Closet." Like Bare, we explore the intensity of growing up gay in deep religious closets).
The Big Voice

The Closet is as evil as anything that exists. It destroys your self-worth, it causes permanent stress because you're always hiding, always lying, and saddest of all, people stay in the closet because of religion.

Each one of those hit me like a slap in the face reading it, yes all of those are true. The religion aspect is just...can't even talk about it. It hasn't been an issue personally but with relationships and friends.

I'd rather NOT discuss the closet, as it is on my mind a lot lol, but so that BARE is great!!!

Not overly dramatic at all, and that is a very good description of how I feel. Singing along helps too :-P I love listening to Michael, he just brings so much emotion to it that is so real. You don't know how profound my relation is to the character of Peter. It's uncanny. But yes, this show has helped me deal with a lot concerning that. I owe so much to it.

Steve - I can't wait to catch the Big Voice - Ethel made quite an impression on me when I was a kid and I saw her sing No Business Like Show Business on PBS on a rainy afternoon. I hope you can bring the show to DC sometime.

Luckily, we've been able to travel a lot because our show has such few requirements, staging-wise. (A desk, a table, two chairs and a mirror ball). So far, I've not been able to reach any DC theatres. One of the reasons we're doing NYMF is to just naturally raise our profile, one small step at a time.

Bare is making quite an impression too - speaking to a lot of people. It is nice to hear some fan appreciation from an author/performer. Theatre is all about sharing, and it is always nice to know that the claps from the audience touch the folks behind stage and on stage as much as the show touches the audience.


You have no idea how much it means. We tell a story in The Big Voice about a fan who ... well, I don't want to give it away. Let's figure out a way to get us to DC!

WOW...rehearsal made me miss so much!

I really have no idea what to say about all of the opinions stated. It was very nice "literature" to come home to, tho. I enjoyed it, thank you all for so nice words!

New cast members haven't been announced yet, but let's see if I can get this right....Sasha Allen, Romelda T. Benjamin, and one other male i think (?) are not returning. And they're adding a female swing.

How'd I do?