Pop opera focuses on “˜bare’ emotions
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 10, 2000 9:00 p.m.
 God Help Productions "bare" is a multi-layered rock opera
with central themes of fear and acceptance. Featuring several UCLA
students and alumni, the play opens Saturday in Hollywood.
By Sarah Monson
Daily Bruin Contributor
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must
examine who they are.
If you stand naked in front of a mirror and take a good long
look, what do you see? Are you who you think you are? Are you
blushing? Are you embarrassed? Are you sad? Did you ever think that
you could be so bare?
“bare,” a new rock opera, opens this weekend in
Hollywood.
The musical focuses on four high school seniors attending
Catholic boarding school, all of whom, in desperate and dire ways,
come to find themselves at a turning point in their young
lives.
The two main characters are struggling with their sexuality,
both in love with each other, but fearful of what others may
think.
“It’s not a gay play,” said Jon Hartmere, the
play’s lyricist and co-author. “I think it’s
scary to show who you are, and that is what
“˜bare’ is about.”
“bare” sprouted from Hartmere’s mind
three years ago when he was introduced to Damon Intrabartalo, the
composer and co-author. Intrabartalo, desiring to write a musical,
needed a lyricist to compliment his composition.
“The lyrics are really personal,” Hartmere said.
“The two main characters are two sides of my
personality.”
Now, three years, dozens of drafts, and re-worked melodies
later, “bare” is coming to the stage.
“It’s so hard to let go of it,” Hartmere
confessed. “But, in the end I think there’s something
magical that will happen (on stage).”
“bare” has been called a cross between a rock and a
pop opera, with upbeat dance songs coupled with raw, explosive
ballads.
When asked about the genre of the show, Hartmere was quick to
confirm that it is not like the musical “RENT” in its
issues or musical style.
“The only thing “˜RENT’ and “˜bare’
have in common is their monosyllabic name,” Hartmere
said.
Indeed, singing and dancing about issues such as unwanted
teenage pregnancy, a closeted homosexual Catholic priest,
drug-induced raves and suicide are an innovative, albeit
controversial, endeavor ““ especially for someone as young as
Hartmere, who began writing “bare” at age 23.
In fact, the majority of the cast and crew has not even
celebrated their 25th birthday.
The director of “bare,” Kristin Hanggi is only 23
years old and has already directed over 12 plays. She co-founded
the AfterGlow Theater Company, produced two short films and also
teaches screenwriting at UCLA’s Summer Discovery program.
Along with Hanggi, the cast and crew of “bare” are
also closely connected with UCLA. In fact, one might think they are
looking at a roster for a theater class instead of a playbill, with
five actors and two crew members in the musical affiliated with
UCLA.
Perhaps that’s why they are all coming to Bruin Walk today
in support of “National Coming Out Week.” GALA,
UCLA’s Gay and Lesbian Association Alliance is holding a
Coming Out Rally.
“It’s fortuitous timing that “˜bare’ is
opening this week,” said Hartmere, who will be at the rally
passing out postcards with members of the cast from 12- 2 p.m.
If you stop by, you may run into your favorite actors, as many
of the cast members are professional actors in their own right.
Jenna Leigh Green, who plays Ivy, co-starred in “Sabrina,
the Teenage Witch,” and Jennie Kwan, who plays Diane, starred
as “Kim” in the first national touring company of
“Miss Saigon.” Additionally, Philip Lightstone, who
plays Lucas, was part of the touring company of “Fame: The
Musical.”
With all this fame, youth and intelligence, one might think
inflated egos would abound. But Green confirms that
“bare” has proven to be an incredible journey.
“The cast and production crew are absolutely
amazing,” Green said. “It is probably the best working
atmosphere I have ever experienced. I have never felt like I was
such a part of the creative process.”
The deep-rooted and complex themes that “˜bare’
confronts, force viewers to examine who they are, including their
prejudices and beliefs.
But as Lightstone attests on behalf of the show’s
potentially racy content, “There are only so many productions
of “˜Oklahoma’ and “˜The Sound of Music’ one
can stomach.”
THEATER: “bare” opens Saturday at the Hudson
Mainstage Theatre at 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood. For
ticket information call (310) 289-2999 or visit www.barethemusical.com.
