Why was Bare disliked? — Page 2

To answer the original question: BARE was hugely popular with audiences, but not so with critics. The New York Times gave it a lukewarm review and it was slammed by the Post (but who reads the Post??). Reviews online were generally good.

I loved the show when I saw it (twice!) in May. In terms of feedback I've heard, the show drew some polar opinions: people either loved it or loathed it. Those that loathed it criticized BARE for its predictable, almost-cliched storyline (it is the typical "gay boi tragedy") and an initial observation by many was that the score was not catchy. I even found that so, until I heard the songs a few times over and finally got hooked.

One component of the show that was universally hailed by critics and audiences (whether they liked the show or not) was BARE's cast; everyone pointed out young, energetic and extremely talented cast that made the show emotionally thrilling to watch.

Personally, I don't think BARE's coming back to NYC anytime soon, and certainly not in its original off-Broadway staging. I also think that the cast -- the show's strongest asset -- has long moved on to other projects and will not return to reprise their roles.

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I really wanted to see it when I just recently went to NYC and was really sad to see that it wasnt there anymore. I really want to get the CD. What is the basic story line of the show (cause I didnt even know it was about a gay couple until last night when they played a song on the Broadway radio). Maybe that could have been a factor in it not being around ne more. Not just that it was about a gay couple but it also brought in the Christian Aspect.

Nice quoting of lyrics at the end of that, even if it was unintentional.

By golly, I didn't even notice that. You see, subconsciously I'm a genius.

If the show isn't coming back to NY, are they looking at giving it another run somewhere else? Or are they thinking about giving out the rights?

I think someone on the board mentioned that they knew of a regional production being mounted, but that was never substantiated. I personally think it's an untrue rumour -- Damon never mentioned anything about having the rights to the show available.

Maybe that could have been a factor in it not being around ne more. Not just that it was about a gay couple but it also brought in the Christian Aspect.

Well, off-Broadway is pretty liberal soil, but who knows? Maybe the investors felt like the material wouldn't sell anymore, given the gay marriage backlash. Still, I think the fact that the investors pulled out has more to do with the economical and managerial situation at Dodgers rather than with the subject matter of BARE.

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Not everyone enjoyed bare people, sorry. Some great performers though, credit is due there (notice how they're almost all working elsewhere...).

You can download eleven songs here:
Bare, a Pop Opera

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Updated On: 1/12/05 at 11:20 AM

thanks heaps for the link.

Updated On: 1/12/05 at 11:23 AM

can anyone provide me with a synopsis?

cheers.

in regards to the original posting... bare received some very mixed reviews by critics, especially concerning its book and score... the popular public did not like it... i've heard numerous negative reviews of the show saying that it should be stopped dead in its tracks... now i realize that many people on this board do like the show a lot and i myself have the "11 song cd" and enjoy some of the music... however, just because this select group of theatre people likes a show does not mean that the general public will (which in my opinion is a shame about this show)... true, the dodgers is holding the theatre open, but i think that is hopeful thinking, the show will probably not get the financial backing it needs and many people in the cast have moved on... however there's always hope and we can keep crossing our fingers... but i just wanted to point out that this board is very jaded because of the people that inhabit it and that you can't take "our opinions" as the rule... to conclude though, i would like bare to come back... and here's three cheers about a chorus line revival! andrew

I for one, couldn't stand this show. The performers were wonderful. The show was not. So why did I dislike it?
-Cliche: THis story has been told time and time again. Oh wow, the quarterback is actually gay! Wow! The fat girl has a self esteem complex! Wow! The mother is in denial of her son's homosexuality! Give me something where I can't predict every action two hours in advance, and then you've got a start.
-The Score: As far as I can recall, a whole lotta power ballads still doesn't make for a good show. A wowing display of talent? Yes, but not a musical theatre score. Songs were unmemorable, nearly all yelled, and poorly staged.
-Overuse of Christ motif: Often times I think film and stage critics try to insert this motif in too many places where it clearly does not fit (Anyone remember the Graduate church scene?). But Bare actually consciously uses it...and uses it...and uses it... It's a catholic school, ok. The catholic church looks down upon anal sex, ok. I dont think anyone going into Bare couldnt figure out this area of conflict from the very start. The set was designed with a gigantic stain glass window as its centerpiece with a nice big cross in its center. As if this wasnt enough, on about four numbers, the concluding pose was with Mr. Arden silhouetted, arms out in "the position" in front of the glorious window. If this play was to suggest Arden's character as a gay chirst figure, I'd rather see Corpus Christi anyday over Bare.

So, contrary to what the majority of this board claims, there were a few who did not enjoy Bare. Am I upset that the talented performers are/were out of work? Absolutely. Am I sad it's not running on Broadway as we speak. Absolutely not.

Being from Texas I have never seen the show. I have however received a CD of the music (which I am sure you all have as well). I think the score is quite good. From what I understand the score on the CD is out of order but just based on the lyric and music composition I was quite impressed. I wish I would've gotten a chance to see the production.

Of course JENNA LEIGH GREEN stood out quite a bit on the album. MICHAEL sounds amazing as his voice has blossomed in the last 5 years to become quite incredible.

I do hope to see a remount in the future.

There is no big church conspiracy here. If the producers thought it was going to be a successful production financially (which is very hard to do, even in a smaller venue) it would have gone up again as scheduled. The pope did not call and tell the producers to pull funding, just like the republicans didn't close Assassins. It has to do with money, and the financial potential of the show. Which, in this case, it seems the producers had second thoughts about.

"Cliche: THis story has been told time and time again. Oh wow, the quarterback is actually gay! Wow! The fat girl has a self esteem complex! Wow! The mother is in denial of her son's homosexuality! Give me something where I can't predict every action two hours in advance, and then you've got a start."

Ummm... nothing that you just described is considered the "action" of the play. And this show OBVIOUSLY isn't attempting to "keep you on your toes"- it's not a murder mystery, for Christ's sake. It's a slice-of-life piece meant to portray homosexuality in a different light to people who may have a negative connotation of it otherwise, and it's meant to show a specific demographic that they are not alone in the problems that they face in everyday life. It's a very poignant, significant work that deserves more exposure than it got. Period.

"-The Score: As far as I can recall, a whole lotta power ballads still doesn't make for a good show. A wowing display of talent? Yes, but not a musical theatre score. Songs were unmemorable, nearly all yelled, and poorly staged."

Wow. It's true that this is a matter of opinion, but... wow. The score is amazing, and deceptively complex. Listen to the demo track "Role of a Lifetime" and tell me that the score is unimpressive. And most of the lyrics are equally good. For example:

"He went to you for guidance.
You hid behind a screen,
Knowing how much empathy might mean.
Did you know how much in love...?
Did you know how much he cared...?
Lost in the teaching was a... boy,
So all alone and scared.
Father, we were so in love,
And that's what I find so odd...
Our love was pure and nothing else
Brought me closer to God..."

How can you possibly say that those are not deep, powerful lyrics? That's just nonsense.

And what on earth are you talking about with the "power ballad" comment? There are two power ballads in the entire show, I think... "Warning" and "All Grown Up".

"-Overuse of Christ motif: Often times I think film and stage critics try to insert this motif in too many places where it clearly does not fit (Anyone remember the Graduate church scene?). But Bare actually consciously uses it...and uses it...and uses it... It's a catholic school, ok. The catholic church looks down upon anal sex, ok. I dont think anyone going into Bare couldnt figure out this area of conflict from the very start. The set was designed with a gigantic stain glass window as its centerpiece with a nice big cross in its center. As if this wasnt enough, on about four numbers, the concluding pose was with Mr. Arden silhouetted, arms out in "the position" in front of the glorious window. If this play was to suggest Arden's character as a gay chirst figure, I'd rather see Corpus Christi anyday over Bare."

While I tend to agree with you on this point, I think that it's way off-the-mark to suggest that Peter is representative of a "gay Christ figure". Nowhere is that ever suggested. What IS suggested is a parrallel between the unjust condemnation that Christ received and the unjust condemnation of homosexuality by modern social mores.

In any case, as another user mentioned previously, the show was a glorified workshop. It still had a lot of things that needed re-staged and reworked. This is something that I definitely think would have been addressed had the Dodger production gone through.

"So, contrary to what the majority of this board claims, there were a few who did not enjoy Bare. Am I upset that the talented performers are/were out of work? Absolutely. Am I sad it's not running on Broadway as we speak. Absolutely not."

Right. Because "Good Vibrations" deserves a spot on the boards over this show.

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Updated On: 1/12/05 at 02:42 PM

I'm with Theatreboy33, except for one thing. I saw it in Los Angeles, touted as "the second coming" (pun intended). It just wasn't that good. I agree with everything Tb33 says except the performers. Now mind you I am sure they grew into the roles and were much improved, but out here in LA, they were just awful. Over dramatic, with a self-consious "look at us, we're crying and serious and acting the hell out of our parts" style that was quite distracting.

Songs not very memorable, story we've seen before and better.

Glad you all like it, but there are reasons why it didn't hit.

Now, having said all this, the mystery as to why BRKLN is still running is simply baffling.

Peace