Bare: A Pop Opera- Page 2

[snl89]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 9:14pm

I LOVE the forshadowing in Epiphany, the way it starts in with Matt's part from No Voice toward the end. I just think it's so brilliant- I love symmetry like that in shows. And just Epiphany in general is SO kick ass. The song, the staging, the fact that it's the opening, everything.

and yeah, I actually love Sister Chantelle. Granted sure, some parts maybe could be cut (though they're almost always the funniest parts of songs hehe), but I think her relationship/conversation with Peter is VITAL, for sure. And it makes it even more emotional just because like... it shows how utterly different things might have been if Jason had just gone to Sister Chantelle as opposed to the Father, because he would have gotten at least some of the assurance he was looking for.

There are def a couple of things here and there I would slim down if it were to be made into a production again (like some of Nadia's little parts- "Spring" and so forth), but over all the basis for the show is SO solid.



The only song I kinda really get annoyed with is 911!Emergency. Like, obviously it's a very necassery point in the show, but the song itself is just like.. not as good as the others. haha.


Seriously though, I think Absolution is like... the epitome of the perfect response to anyone who tries to claim homosexuality is against religion. Just the pure essence of what it's saying, paired with what happened in the show, makes it SO emotional. (I'd kind of kill to hear Michael's version of it. I love Matt's voice, and think he did a great job with it, but Michael's an even BETTER actor, so I can't even imagine how insanely weepy his version would make me)

[DaneSaw]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 10:58pm

911! Emergency! was worlds better in the New York production. It really depends on the person playing Chantelle...

And yes, Michael Arden's Peter (and his "Absolution") is absolutely heartbreaking and nothing short of amazing.

[outovfashion07]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 11:42pm

SOmetimes i hate listening to the CD because it makes me cry so much.

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 1/29/08 at 11:56pm

I'm so excited because the regional premiere of this show in Dallas is going to begin its run on February 14 (how coincidental right). I can't wait to go see it! I'm probably going a couple of times actually.

[tourboi]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 12:03am

Wasn't the regional premier in Cincinatti or Chicago? The community theatre premiere was in New Jersey. So it might be the Texas premiere, but...

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 12:30am

tourboi - that is what I meant but I guess it didn't make sense in writing but it did in my head...lol. Yes it's the regional premiere in Texas not the first regional premiere ever. Sorry for the confusion.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 1:31am

DO you think some day it will be revived? I know we can only hope for now but i really think it could one day be revived.

[DaneSaw]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 12:19pm

I feel like almost everything gets a revival at one point or another, there's some kind of die-hard audience out there for every musical (yes, even Carrie).

I could see it MAYBE getting an off-Broadway revival, but I doubt it'll ever open on Broadway. Not without some big changes, anyway. And judging from the DVD and Damon's words on the matter, he doesn't like his story to be touched...

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 4:29pm

I don't really see it being revived. I think it will just live on in regional/community/school productions.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 5:38pm

I haven't seen it. I'm depressed now

[snl89]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 5:57am

*sigh*

do we know why it didn't get transfered in the first place? Was it just funding and such? Because it sounds like it had done pretty well off Broadway, no?

[1937]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 9:30am

"There's a bender among us, he must be exposed
He'll kidnap our children and take off their clothes
There's a bender among us, there's pink in our flock
A boy without conscience, whose led by his...

Cockamamie. Pure Cockamamie."

Makes me laugh every single time!

[DaneSaw]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 10:59am

Ugh, I still prefer "....Cocktail, Peter's second favorite movie. His favorite? Top Gun."

Don't get me started on the changes made for the recording...

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 11:33am

1. I like the IDEA of Sister Chantelle and what she stands for, but think its a bit over the top and unrealistic. (love her talk w/Peter though)

2. MANY of the changes between the NY production and the Recording are actually going BACK to the origianl LA production (so I've been told)

3. Some of the NY things I like better, some of the recording I like better.

BUT: the change I hate the most: In You and I
Really, which is better:
"Take a look in my big blue eyes and you'll understand"
OR
"Hear the beat of my racing heart and you'll understand"

SO prefer the racing heart line.

4. There is TALK of a movie (which I think WOULD be incredible) and Matt Doyle has been "talked to " about it. These things fall through all the time, but of course right now, nothing can move forward because to the writers strike.


Love Bare.

[snl89]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 11:38am

^the sad thing is that I JUST recently got that whole joke! haha. And I like had to see it written out to pick up on it. I'm apparantly very slow when it comes to things like that

SO funny though. I too prefer the "Cocktail" one though to "cockamamie"



and also, the first time I heard "and if you're wondering why I'm a fan, it's because there's a black woman inside the soul of every gay man", it made me really happy I think Michael/Peter's reaction to that line is basically the most adorable thing ever <3



So you know what I find kind of interesting? For the official recording cast, they seemed to have gotten people who looked really good together. Especially Matt and James, but all of them really- with maybe the exception of Jenna. They're all young and just seem like they would have worked well in a full production. In the actual stage production, the cast definitely worked super super well together and none of them like.. didn't fit in with the others, but they were a bit older and more obviously seasoned. Like, for example, the character of Matt: Aaron Lohr is AMAZING as Matt, but he doesn't exactly look like a high schooler. Christopher from the album, however, has a decent voice but he more works for Matt just because of his look and everything. I just thought it was interesting that they seemed to have casted the show based mainly on vocal and acting ability, whereas with the recording- where they had the opportunity to pick ANYONE and it wouldn't matter because it was only the recording and you wouldn't see them- they casted more true to age and look and everything. I just found that kinda funny.

(not that the recording people can't sing- they def can. It's just they're more young and raw as opposed to the production cast who were all very seasoned)

Updated On: 1/31/08 at 11:38 AM

[East Village]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 11:50am

The only official word I ever heard was that they lost funding. Unofficially there was talk that the composer had little patience for folks working on the show who wanted to make changes -- in fact, Damon has said as much in interviews -- so read between the lines.

IMO, there were moments of pure brilliance in the NYC production -- also just as many moments of un-stageable drek. (But isn't that true for every sung through musical?) I think the audience tended to be forgiving because it was a raw, fringe production. But those moments would have become harder to overlook in a more legitimate theater -- and once the established critics started reviewing the show.

Its amazing how the audience for Bare just grows and grows. Too bad the folks who wrote it seem to have little patience for what it takes to actually work in the theater. As it is, I think more fans will continue to discover it. Part of its genius will be for what it is -- as well as for what it could be.



Updated On: 1/31/08 at 11:50 AM

[Baiseur82]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 12:58pm

"BUT: the change I hate the most: In You and I
Really, which is better:
"Take a look in my big blue eyes and you'll understand"
OR
"Hear the beat of my racing heart and you'll understand"

SO prefer the racing heart line."

Dramamama I so agree I HATE that change.



"There is TALK of a movie (which I think WOULD be incredible) and Matt Doyle has been "talked to " about it. These things fall through all the time, but of course right now, nothing can move forward because to the writers strike."


Rosie actually just answered a question about this on her blog

The question
"Ro, Have you ever heard "bare: a pop opera" It is truly and amazing piece of theater."


Her Response
"yes
i tried for years to option it
to make a movie
but no go"

[DaneSaw]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 4:14pm

East Village, that's what absolutely kills me about "bare". It's a brilliant show, and while it was great in LA, I feel like it really matured and became a better polished, more flowing show once it got to New York. Some things from the LA production just fall flat, whereas the same moments from the NY show can bring tears to my eyes and chills down my spine just thinking about them.

I completely agree with Damon (and whoever else may be the cause) not having the patience to make the show work in the best way possible. Just by watching the featurette on the DVD you can tell that he can be a bit too picky and does NOT want his work changed from what it originally was, even if it's a change for the better. Epiphany and Wedding Bells are amazing from the NY production, but on the recording they just fall flat.

Either way, I hope bare lives on, either in the form of a movie or a revival (for a short time, at least).


I'd just like to add that "One" is perhaps my favorite production number of all time.
Updated On: 1/31/08 at 04:14 PM

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 6:22pm

I'm looking forward to the Dallas production too! I already have my tickets! I couldn't get into the recording, but hopefully I'll like it better once I see it on stage and get the whole story.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 6:32pm

Just because Rosie couldn't option it doesn't mean someone else didn't. (That still doesnt mean it hasnt already fallen through) Doyle specifically said that it WAS being discussed..this was back in November (I think.)

[snl89]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 8:11pm

Ok, so I just have to say:

John Hill's Once Upon a Time into Cross? Holy. Mother. of all that is the most intense, emotional thing ever. Like.. I knew it was emotional, but SERIOUSLY. woah.

(no comment on how I know this, but let's just say that I'd only heard the recording version up until just a minute ago)

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 9:00pm

I just discovered bare 2 weeks ago after I bought the cd on a whim from that website. I didn't know much about it except for what people said on these boards and thought I'd give it a try.
O M G. Awesome.
The music is incredible!!! It has completely dominated my ipod playlist. It's unfortunate that I lived so close to LA and missed those performances.

Does anyone know if the vocal selections will be released?
...or if it will be playing "regionally" near San Diego or LA anytime soon again?

:)
Love this show.
Updated On: 1/31/08 at 09:00 PM

[Mtay156]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 10:03pm

Does anyone know where I can find a recording of this show?

[Baiseur82]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 10:11pm

If you go to Shaka boom records web site there is a free 11 song version if you need a link pm me and I'll send it to you.

[crzyray]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 10:26pm

I have the bootlegged CDS on my computer still if u want to hear the NYC version, i think i even have my LA version on here, i'll check that out (PM me). Did anyone see it in chicago by any chance? It was so good, i can't wait to see it in cincinatti, I just love this show so much! I've been obsessed since the spring of 2004 and the studio recording takes up 24 of my 25 most played songs on my ipod. To me the one song that breaks my heart the most is Once upon a time! suchhhhhhh an amazing song