bare revival question

[aofa]

Posted: 3/20/13 at 1:43pm

So I personally really enjoyed the revival of bare. I think that most of the changes were really neat and worked well, especially if viewed as a different show than the pop opera. One thing that bothered me, though, was in the the song Bare, Peter didn't join in when Jason told him he loved him. In the original version, he reciprocates and they sing together. I know Peter told Jason he loved him earlier but why do you think they took out Peter singing at the end of the song? I know the changes have been heavily debated on here but maybe we can have a discussion on change questions, what worked, and what you thought didn't work.

[StageBuddyOffers]

Posted: 3/20/13 at 2:24pm

I never saw the pop opera but went with someone who's devoted to it and her biggest complaint - besides the one you mention - is that they changed the character of the sister from a frumpier girl to a pretty hot one. She said that didn't help the overall tone of the musical. My opinion, based on what I heard were some the changes, is that they were trying to make it much, much more mainstream and maybe more appealing to people who like tween shows, as opposed to the darker, more mature crowd who was into the original "Rent"-ness of it all.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 3/20/13 at 7:54pm

I get the impression that they tried toi make it more inclusively about bullying and teen issues in general and not just the main characters' specific issues. Oh well, the revival seemed to come and go with very little impression in the end.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 2:24am

I didn't see it in person, but got a hold of a recording recently, and I think they screwed up the character's relationships BIG TIME. I liked the fact that they'd known each other since, like, what? 7th grade? And that Peter and Jason had been together for some time. Then there's the basic lack of a relationship between Jason and Nadia. My friend just watched the recording last night, without having seen the pop opera, and today came up to me and asked why she cared so little about having provided her brother with the drugs that killed him.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:52am

I went to see it with 3 friends and we all had a blast and loved the show.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:27pm

Woah, wait! In the Bare (can't believe it's even still called that)off bway revival, Nadia gives Jason the drugs? That goes completely against her character (well the original version) because Jason and Nadia looked after each other and she would have never supplied that to him. The more I read about the changes, the more I am glad I didn't see it.

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 4:28pm

Yeah, they complete trashed Nadia's character in the revisal, which both destroys all of the emotion previously there in relating to her character and also makes Jason's death so much less poignant. In the original, he had such a loving, caring relationship with his sister, which was something that he was walking away from due to his belief that he cannot be accepted by his church. In the revisal, with that strong relationship not there, and with him already having lost Peter and not having a sense of identity to start with, there is more of a sense of hopelessness rather than the sense of a tragic walking away from loved ones because he couldn't accept himself.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 4:54pm

They cut the character of Lucas, and made Nadia the drug dealer instead. Inthink that was my biggest problem with it. Honestly, it was good, at least the recording I saw. I think some aspects were actually improved- the show was a lot more focused. I actually like the new opening, Epiphany was too long, and kind of scattered. That same friend I mentioned started watching the pop opera, but she said the same thing- that it moved around too much, etc. And it had some qute good cast members, as well. But they did screw up the relationships quite badly

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 5:07pm

The original was far from perfect -- but the recent production was awful.

I didn't mind a few of the changes -- the placement of Are You There and Jason's singing of Role of A Lifetime -- but I didn't feel anything else worked.


The original was heartfelt with a soul (albeit too many teen angst issues) but this was a lecture.

[srg129]

Posted: 3/23/13 at 4:17am

I didn't see the original but watched it on youtube. Saw the revival multiple times and the improvements from the version on youtube actually made the revival a far superior production than the utter mess and mishmash of the terribly unfocused original production.

My god it was bad enough watching the original Nadia drag out her cello and sing a self-indulgent song with the farting road sign behind her without having her drag out her cello yet again later in the show for another number.

The backstory, subtext, and dialog of the revised version made it very clear why Nadia and Jason couldn't connect. She even stated that they don't "talk". But when she gave him the hug in the 2nd act it was very clear that she loved him dearly. And she was giving drugs to everyone at the school so when Jason asked for it she was conflicted but complied with his request. She even told him to go easy on it like she told everyone else when she doled out the pills for the club party that they were going to in Act I.

Also, Million Miles From Heaven is such a vast improvement on the original opening. It has energy, spark, and life and sets the tone of the revival, whereas Ephiphany was preachy, stereotypical, and quite boring with a forgettable melody.

And the replacement of the black sassy nun/teacher with the nun/teacher played by Missy Pyle was a vast improvement in making the character more real and relatable rather than a stock stereotype to "jazz" up plot. Missy Pyle brought a much needed heart and soul than the character in the original.

Watching the original on youtube I thought it more a workshop production that needed a ton of work and needed to create more of a linear plot that was cohesive rather than floundering around with no purpose. Thankfully the revival was able to accomplish that.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 3/23/13 at 9:16am

So what I'm getting overall from the thread is put in "A Million Miles from Heaven," move "Are You There," and give Jason "Role of a Lifetime," and the original bare would suddenly be a perfect beast (I'm hyperbolizing here, to some extent, and ignoring some of srg129's rejection of theatrical tropes that work, in part because "God Don't Make No Trash" is just awesome). Is that what I'm meant to pick up?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/23/13 at 9:20am

Not from me. But you are free to interpret things any way you'd like.

Note: I didn't say I thought those changes were BETTER than what they did in the original --- only that those changes didn't make me roll my eyes as nearly every other change did.

Do I know how to fix the original? No, can't say that I do, but what appeared at NWS certainly wasn't it.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 3/23/13 at 9:52am

I get the strong impression there was some animosity over the desire to make changes at all, or Intrabartolo would have been more involved with the new stuff.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 3/24/13 at 4:22am

The cello wouldn't be that bad, except NO NADIA KNOWS HOW TO PLAY CELLO!! As a cellist I sit there quietly wanting to strangle whoever let her pretend to play without learning how the instrument worked first!

Actually, I hated the moving of Are You There. It was my favorite song, and it just... didn't work. It didn't make ANY sense where they placed it.

I think if they were to make some kind of a combination of the two, it would be close to perfect- both are pretty flawed shows, but maybe together they can be a lot less flawed.

And srg129, I GET Nadia's character, I just didn't LIKE it. I thought that eventually you'd figure out exactly what "Nadia's problems" were, and a bit more of Nadia and Jason's life at home, and you didn't.

I actually didn't mind the character changes in Nadia, I just wish this new Nadia had the same depth that the old one did.

Also, each time I watch my beloved recording of the new NWS bare, I notice something else left out. For one thing, I think it was actually important that Jason was Valedictorian, and Matt was whatever the second one is. Because that basically IS Matt. Second best, all the time- like Nadia says "Matt- always a bridesmaid, never a bride". Matt was missing depth too. In the original, it's not like he was really EVIL about doing what he did. He just kind of- cracked. He knew Jason and Peter were together and kept it quiet for MONTHS. In the NWS bare, he confronts them as soon as he finds out.

The only characters that had a lot of depth were the ones that I don't think really should have: I think the father/nun conflict wasn't necessary. They were good actors, and I LOVED Missy Pyle, but I liked in the original how the priest represented the side of Catholicism that's all "Gay is bad, it might rub off on me, it's unnatural".

On the other hand, Sister Joan was a wonderful balance between a symbol for the (actually much larger part) of the Catholic Church that doesn't believe that, and an actual, dynamic character.


I also feel like it barely even contained the theme of religion, something that I, as a Catholic teenager, thought the original hit PERFECTLY.

You know what I did like, though? The character of Dianne. Every time I watch bare: a Pop Opera, I always thought "Dianne should really be a bigger role, she's hysterical in her three lines". And finally, it has happened:P

And the entire cast was fantastic, in my opinion. Everyone's talking about how Taylor Trensch is tone-deaf, but he sounds fine in the recording I have. (I think a huge part of why people don't like his singing is that it sounds kind of weird, because he has a speech impediment)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/24/13 at 6:47am

I MUCH preferred the original Nadia. With she and Jason being twins, we saw how kids deal with the neglectful parent thing differently: Jason became the over-achiever to try to get their attention, Nadia did what would piss them off the most: become fat. (Neither of these are conscious choices)

The thing I hated most about the changes? The changes in character in Jason and Peter. Peter was whiney and annoying, and I never believed Jason actually cared about Peter. I NEVER got the feeling they had a relationship, just sex. In the original, it is set up right away that it is a long term, ongoing LOVING relationship -- at least behind closed doors.

And as for Trensch, I LITERALLY cringed a number of times while he was singing. Trust me, my ear isn't so keen that I would notice voices being off only slightly -- it was severe with no chance at recovery.

[aofa]

Posted: 3/24/13 at 7:51pm

I'd like to defend the revival. I thought it was a really great production but I would have to argue that it is a different production than the original. If you love the original and go in expecting to see the pop opera (which technically isn't the original) then you'll be disappointed. The characters are different and have experienced different things. bare the musical and bare a pop opera are different shows and both have merits.

In defense of the musical, i feel like it took away a lot of the stereotypes that were found in the original. Nadia's weight almost became her only character development and Sister Chantelle could easily be portrayed as a stereotype. My taking away a specific character trait, the characters are given more depth. I think it was nice to see PEter and Jason meet and different (not better, not worst) that they hadn't been together for years. I thought it was clear through Jason singing Role of a Lifetime that he did love Peter, he just didn't know how to balance his love for Peter with his fear of the church's rejection.

This post will make it seem like I preferred the revival the pop opera and that's not true- I love them both for different reasons; however, I am tired of people who haven't seen the revival saying that the changes were unnecessary and didn't help the story. I know it's hard now, but see the show before you judge it. It was a great production. Like every production of any show, it was flawed. Some will argue that Taylor's voice was distracting or Nadia being a drug dealer was unforgivable (the most common complaints) but it was something very special and its message rang true to the continuous fight for equality and acceptance we face today.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/24/13 at 8:05pm

I think everyone posting here HAS seen it -- I know I did. Why are you assuming that we are just spewing hate?

I brought with me one teenage girl that had NO knowledge of the show and one that had seen the original on YouTube. NEITHER of them loved the show -- although one liked it well enough. These are both theater kids, both that know and support the gay community.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 3/24/13 at 9:10pm

I saw the revisal as well and while I enjoyed some of the changes, not all of them were for the better.

My biggest issue is the replacement of the opening number. This show is about a young gay couple navigating the doctrine of the Catholic Church. As a gay Catholic who went through Catholic education, "Epiphany" hit me in the gut. The song ends with Peter's classmates shouting bible verses at him. Absolutely bone-chilling. "Million Miles from Heaven" mentions nothing of the Catholic Church or being gay. Generic lyrics and a blatant attempt to appeal to the masses.

Peter and Jason's history as a couple is vital to the tragic ending. In the revisal, they spend one weekend together and all of a sudden, Peter is picking out wedding rings. It comes off as kind of desperate and doesn't ring as true as the original's backstory.

Nadia's characterization suffered greatly. I don't mind her being the drug dealer. That wasn't the issue. In the original, Jason and Nadia used each other as an escape. They had a very loving and caring relationship. They looked out for each other in a household that all but condemned them. In the original, this relationship makes Jason and Nadia rather likable and sympathetic. Without their interactions, the two of them are rather unlikable.

In the end, I felt like Karen Walker in the episode of Will and Grace where she and Jack try to find another TV show to watch because theirs is cancelled. As they scan the channels she says, "This is like a pastiche of five other shows like something written by a committee. They're trying to please everybody, but ironically have ended up pleasing nobody. "

I fell in love with Bare because it spoke directly to me. I had those experiences. My first boyfriend and I hid from everyone as we debated on whether or not to come out. I had nightmares of my friends turning on me and hurling Bible verses at me. I even came out to a priest in a confessional. This revisal changed the heart of the show to attempt to appeal to a bigger audience. They tried to please everybody, but ironically have ended up pleasing nobody.

[donnamurphybemymom]

Posted: 3/26/13 at 12:58am

I personally liked the revival more than the original. Don't get me wrong, the original is extremely dear to me, but I don't think anyone's going to argue that it is a fine piece of music theatre from a technical stand point? The reason people love Bare is because of its heart not its genius, and I think the revival kept the heart (though altered) and added a sense of stability to the plot. I love Sister Joan and her back story and I especially love the additional scenes between Peter and Jason. In the original it seemed as if only Peter was actually in love with a man. Jason seemed straight and capable of being attracted to Ivy more so than he was to Peter. In the revival, there are a lot more tender moments where you see that Jason IS apart of the relationship not just peter's crush. It also gives reason to be attracted to either character. In the original Jason was a shallow, selfish jock you hated just a tad, and Peter was (although adorable) extremely whiny and unlikable. With the closer look at Jason's tenderness and making Peter into a funny dorky guy that IS extremely likable, it makes since why they are in love.

Now with Nadia, although I think the characterization of Nadia as an obese sister is a better plot line, Nadia's songs in the revival are KILLER! I also like the whole thing she has for Matt, it gives her another dimension. I think it leaves enough room for interpretation that the role could be played by an overweight actress.

The cut of the openings of Act 1 and 2 worked really well. I love me some hallucinations but don't you think it was a little much? Million Miles is a really good song and I love the added Dance element to the show. I'm glad they cut Wonderland and replaced it with Sex Appeal. The song just seemed out of context with the rest of the show. 911 Emergency kinda bored me so I like the new Sister Joan song as a lounge singer. One thing that pisses me off a little is changing role of lifetime to Jason's song just because that was Peter's only solo and now he doesn't get to sing that much

The added bullying element is almost a need considering the string of suicides that sprung this revival. Also Diane is a really adorable character and "Best Friend" is probably my favorite new song!

Well that's my 2 cents!

[DEClarke]

Posted: 3/26/13 at 1:01pm

For people bashing "Epiphany," I have one question... have you ever attended a Catholic mass? Epiphany hardly jumps all over the place. It plays out like a Catholic Mass. Certainly there is no hymn "A Bender Among Us," which is why it's a dream. Then the "funeral" for Peter is brilliant and has a very memorable melody as Peter belts out "Is it I, Lord? Is it I!" and the other kids sing "Abomination! Abomination! Abomination!," "Repent," and "Bare the Corss! Bare the Cross! Bare the Cross!"

I didn't see the revival, so I don't know this new opening, but "Epiphany" is brillant! I also prefer the 2004 Off-broadway lyrics to it than the Concept CDs. Claire's "Cocktail, Peter;s second favorite movie. His first Top Gun" is much better than what they recorded.