Bare: A Pop Opera- Page 5

[maninchair.com]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 1:31pm

Recently joined the bare bandwagon. It took me several listenings (and a viewing of the awesome DVD that comes with the CDs) to really get into it. One full sitting was just to get me over how much it reminds me of Rent.

But now I can enjoy Rent-evoking-free listenings and am liking it more and more each time. Watching the DVD helped to put some faces and pseudo-performances with the music. (Oy, so many cute boys with soaring voices!!)

Best Kept Secret: bare, the musical

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 6:51pm

Here is a link to a video preview of the Texas premiere of bare. http://www.uptownplayers.org/nowplaying.htm


Sorry I keep posting things about this show but I'm really excited about it. Tell me what you think from the preview.

[crzyray]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 10:39pm

have very mixed feelings about the set... it's kind of colorful haha, and when i think of bare, i just see it "more dark" but it looks really good none the less and makes me really want to travel down there to see it. There's really not much of a set either, but that's fine with me, it does look pretty good and i look forward to hearing everyone's reactions to it

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 8:34am

So I went and saw the Texas premiere of bare last night and I have to say that I thought it was fantastic! I'm so glad I finally got to see this amazing show on stage and not just listen to a recording. They put together an all star cast. The set was very minimalistic which is perfect for bare. The theatre that it is playing in is very intimate which I also think is perfect for the show. I really can't say anything bad about the production. I think there were maybe 1 or 2 weaklinks in the show but maybe they were having an off night. The guy who played Peter had an amazing voice and he is wonderful actor. I'm friends with the girl who played Ivy and she was phenomenal as well (I swear there is no bias in that). The crowd favorites were definitely Nadia and Sister Chantelle but they usually are. All in all, it was a magnificent production of bare and I'm so glad I got to see it finally. I will definitely be going again before it closes. I'm thinking at least 2 more times.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 1:30pm

Since no one posts or reads the Dallas board, I thought I would post a link to my review. Alot of it is thoughts on the material more than the production.

I also had the opportunity to attend a talk back with Damon as he attended last night's performance of Bare in Dallas. He said it was only the second time he saw the show without playing the music etc.
Bare review on Dallas Board

[TannerONbw]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 2:16pm

I still don't understand what he didn't like about the New York version.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 2:21pm

I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that he didn't have complete control over the show anymore. I understand that, but that's the way of theater. And while I really admire and respect Damon, I think he is wrong in completely disregarding the New York production. He could say that Bare would've gotten the fanbase it has today just from the LA production, but I don't think that's true at all. Each production has helped Bare to grow and gain it's fanbase and to completely ignore one and say it is bad is not the right thing to do. It's not a matter of which production someone liked more, they both contributed to what Bare is today so you can't compare them.

[snl89]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 2:38pm

yeah, I mean I totally respect him for wanting control over his work and everything, but like... I don't quite personally understand what there wasn't to like about the NYC production. I feel like in general the NYC production was a bit tighter than, say, the official recording. Just some of the lyric changes/dropping of lines/etc. made it flow better and drag less. Now I'm not really sure what version of the show the recording was, but I just.. I don't understand why he would have had such problems with the NY production.

It's kind of a real shame that he's so hesitant in letting anyone touch his work, because if it was tweaked just a little bit in certain parts, it could so EASILY be such a brilliant show (it already IS), and TOTALLY Broadway-ready! It's already got an AMAZING, emotional story going for it, and a fantastic score. It just needs to be tightened up in a couple of spots and it would be pretty darn good to go I think.



Oh and just a little thing: he doesn't like the shirt scene? I think that scene is so sweet granted okay it's not really all that necessary, but it just made me happy because, in the NY production at least, Michael and John were so damn adorable together hehe

Updated On: 3/9/08 at 02:38 PM

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 4:59pm

I don't understand how he didn't know that the shirt scene was in the script b/c the dialogue has been changed. In the NY production, Peter asks Jason if he can borrow his shirt or something of that nature. In the new shirt scene, Jason buys Peter a new shirt. How can they change a scene and you don't know that's in there?

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 3/9/08 at 5:23pm

Has anyone seen the LA version and the NY version?

I would love to know some of the differences. This production and the recording are my only reference points.

As I said in my review, the characters grip you right away, and the story is wonderful... so I completely agree with you, SNL.

[spooky the bando]

Posted: 3/18/08 at 11:02pm

John Hill's "Cross" made me cry. The recordings continue to make my bawl my eyes out to this day.
And the flute solos throughout are gorgeous.
I also think I'd still have one foot in the closet if it were't for bare.
Also, I'm slightly jealous of my school's rivals (University of Delaware) for getting the opportunity to perform this show right now. That being said, I'm going to go see it anyways so I can introduce a few friends to this work.

[rowlinvale2]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 2:51am

so i've just got to join in on this bare love thread. i was also introduced to bare with the recording. and THANK GOD for that. i have been so touched by this show, it's insane.

like a few of you have said, this show makes me cry to. and it is the first show to make me cry. and this is just the recording. i haven't even seen it live. it's just "absolution" is so... emotional, ahhh, you guys know what i mean. the show has a power over me.

anyway, i also wanted to let people in california know that it's coming to sacramento this summer. it'll be the first show in california since the original la production. and i am SO EXCITED, words cannot describe it. i thought i wouldn't get a chance for YEARS. not just a few months, and to my own city even! anyway, there's more information about it here on myspace.com/adbare (a site put up for the ca production by the director). the company is artistic differences. and the show will run for three weeks in early august.

and i was told by kevin caravalho (director) that damon "has been involved with the creative process of the show and he will be coming to see the show." OMFG, i am so going to find out which show he's going to so i can try to meet him.

[snl89]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 11:30am

So I say they just need to boil down and make a really good Bare movie. Because like... even though there are productions of it that still pop up from time to time, I'd be nervous to see any for fear that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. Plus, this is the one show that I actually feel like would MAKE a great movie if done right! So. Unless they're gonna work on getting another Broadway or off Broadway production, *raises hand in favor of a movie* :)


Aand I think it would be great if they got all unknowns for the cast. Or at least for Peter and Jason.

[ThatBroadwayBitch]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 12:16pm

I saw it - I thought it was very good for a small theater, but would not have liked it on Broadway or as a movie. Maybe if they made it into more of a teen movie, it might be good. Some of the songs need work, though.

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 12:39pm

Damon came and saw the Texas premiere of the show. It was apparently the second or third time he had actually seen the show because he was always conducting or playing in the orchestra.

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 3:21pm

If a movie version of Bare ever does get made, I don't think it will get distribution. I see it premiering on HBO or Showtime.

[hubee]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 3:55pm

You know, I heard people complain its so cliched and stuff but then I heard the recordings (i only heard about the show because Matt Doyle of Spring Awakening was doing the album) and I LOVE IT. It's been playing NONSTOP on my CD/ipod/car player... EVERYWHERE!

Yes, it's cliched but yet its a story that still resonates and needs to be told.

I wish it would go back to NY.

I keeping thinking it would do SO well in Toronto. Hope someone in Toronto is listening and mounts a production!! Oh, not sure if anybody cares or if plugging my blog is too much but i wrote about it a while back)

http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com/2007/10/best-kept-secret-bare-pop-opera.html

Updated On: 3/31/08 at 03:55 PM

[aliciag]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 1:01am

Ok, so randomly seeing people write about Bare on the boards I decided to buy the soundtrack. I listened and really liked it. But last night I actually watched the show in its entirety and I was blown away. So emotional... I was crying my eyes out by the end and I absolutely loved it. Just thought I'd share and say that I am officially in love with this show.

I really hope I get the chance to see this live because I can only imagine how much more powerful and moving it would be!

[Baiseur82]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 1:16am

aliciag I'm glad you enjoyed the show. It really is amazing. My contact with the show is similar to yours, read people on here talking about it so I decided to buy it. Fell in love with the music but once I got the chance to see it.... AMAZING! I am really hoping that this show will come back to NYC soon, I would give anything to see it live.

Just a side question do you have the free version that they gave away at the theatre? It is only 9 songs (I think) but it is very good. If you don't have it PM me and Ill send you the link.

[broadwayboynyc]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 1:25am

I belive they are having a regional premiere somewhere in texas????

[hubee]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:51am

Sadly, it JUST happenned in Dallas. http://www.uptownplayers.org/season.htm

closed in March. damnit. missed it again.

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 10:33am

Yeah I caught the Texas premiere 3 times during it's run. It was terrific! It had an amazing cast and I loved the show. Now they are about to have the Houston premiere of the show during the summer. Here is the link for that:

http://www.countryplayhouse.org/auditions.php

[SteamHeat2]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 11:57pm

Is there any way to get sheet music for Touch My Soul and/or All Grown Up?
Thanks!

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 7/20/08 at 12:37am

whenever the creators of SA go on about how it's the first musical about teenage issues, sexuality, rock music (more like mid-90s alt mellow rock, but whatever), I kinda want to send them a copy of a Bare CD.

Or "Rent." Or "Hair."

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/20/08 at 3:19am

I wouldn't say that Rent particularly focuses on teenage issues, even though teens are drawn to it.

For those who are trying to chase the show, I believe I saw something about a production in San Fran on Playbill....

I was listening to this tonight as I was working on a massive project, and I have to say, again, that I love this show. (It also made me type faster, so that is an added benefit!)