"Bare", The Musical.

I find any show or movie that lambasts religion and then goes back to say that "no, no, no, the DOGMA is Bad, the rituals and HATE are bad, but GOD is real and loves everyone" a little annoying. This does this with the song, God Don't Make No Trash. This is a common point of view these days, I guess because we're in an odd transitional period where people are still brought up on religion and superstition but also live in a world of science and real reason.

I think that one of the NICE things about BARE...is that even though the church cannot recognize the boys' gay relationship, they both hold true to their love of the church and seek the church to ease their pain.

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Yes, it's very flawed...could they squeeze another teenage angst issue into one show? I have affection for it anyway. I think many young gay men can relate to and understand both Jason and Peter. I know many of my students certainly can and do.

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"I think that one of the NICE things about BARE...is that even though the church cannot recognize the boys' gay relationship, they both hold true to their love of the church and seek the church to ease their pain."

But they both would have been better off if they overcame their beaten puppy syndrome and, instead of crawling back, recognized that the church itself was the source of their pain.

"You find someone's beliefs annoying?"

I find cherry-picking a religion very annoying, but it's all most people do. People pretend their morality comes from religion, but usually they inflict their own morality on religion, ignoring the parts they don't like, and this show is an example of that. If you're going to go in, go in all the way. It's all equally unreasonable.

Updated On: 3/26/09 at 10:14 PM

I think you're right about Jason, dramamama, it's been a while since I've seen it.

i think bare is a wonderful piece to write a paper on
if you sit down and really think about the show and about the different morals of it you really see how it is an amazing piece of theatre that can reach out and touch every single type of person in todays society
IMO i think this show should be seen by as many people as possible because of how current and important the issues are
whether you include the religion aspect in ur paper, you can really break down the show n see how deep it is
excellent choice!

Having been in the shoes of BOTH Peter and Jason, I identify so much with the musical it's almost unbearable. I love the show so much for that reason. Having only heard recordings and never actually having seen it, I'm still in such awe how someone, in a sense, knows me so well that they can write a musical about my life and those who deal with similar issues. At the same time, the lyrical content has a little to be desired. The melodies are astounding, however, hence Intrabartolo's background. The second act, following the scene between Peter's phone call to his mother, is brilliant. I don't think there's a more heartbreaking moment in any of the shows I've seen in my short life. The characters are a little annoying at the beginning, but they do need to grow, right? And when you think about it, high school students are constantly over-dramatic, saying things like "I'm going to kill myself" and what not, so it definitely works.

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Well...very few folks WANT to be different...and trust me: it's incredibly easier NOW to come out than it was when I was a kid...even easier than it was only 10 years ago. But I don't think it will ever be "ordinary" or simple.

MANY young people are quite accepting, but harrassment still abounds around sexuality. MANY families still consider it "wrong". But at least we are moving in the right direction.

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