bare- LA Revival

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 4:25am

Does anyone have plans to see it? (Or has anyone seen it tonight?) I went to the (one and only) preview tonight, and was curious as to others opinions. :)

[broadwayboy987]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 4:47am

I'm going on Friday the 13th and am EXTREMELY excited! Bare is one of my favorite shows! What were your thoughts on the show?

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 5:03am

I think it was a PHENOMENAL cast (if bare goes to broadway, or even back off-broadway, I want Payson Lewis to play Peter) with a poor director. And sound problems- luckily I know the show backwards and forwards, so not being able to hear wasn't too much of a problem, and it was much better in the second act. Still, I hope they fix it by the time you see it. That being said, well worth the drive/cost of tickets. I can't wait to hear your thoughts- there were some things added that I don't neccesarily want to spoil, but please, post on here once you see it!

Also, chances are you will see Shelley Regner, not Katie Stevens as Nadia, because Katie is off filming a pilot, and won't be back for a week or two.

Updated On: 9/6/13 at 05:03 AM

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 9:31am

I'm incredibly jealous that you West Coasters get this revival while those of us on the Eastern seaboard had to deal with the revised travesty.

I would love to hear more about it! The preview videos on their website were fantastic!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 10:30am

Spoilers, please.

[StageDoor3]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 11:05am

I'm going Friday September 13, too. I never saw the show when it was here in LA originally and am looking forward to it. Broadwayboy987, we should say "hi".

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 11:30pm

Well, for instance, they really turned Jason's death into a scene. Sister Chantelle ran "onstage" and tried to give him CPR. I think it actually worked alright, because the staging was so bad, a lot if people didn't realize he had taken the drugs, and this let them know he was dead.

And, then, what is probably among the tackiest directorial choices I've seen onstage, Nadia took out a knife and started cutting herself at the end of A Quiet Night at home. No one clapped at the end of the song, even thought she wa great- my guess is that they were all really shocked... And it was never used again in the show.

They also added 20 minutes worth (!) of transitions between scenes- which was necessary because if the set, and I did like the underscoring. I also LOVED the new arrangements- see, it was not necessary to rewrite the entire show to make it more modern!!

And the actors were all fantastic, except I wasn't overly fond of Claire... Payson Lewis and Lindsay Pearce especially (Jenna Leigh Green, who?) And obviously Stephanie Andersen was great, though I was disappointed with how little she got to work with- she just stood there in 911 Emergency... But she was still awesome!

Anyway, I think that with a better director (and sound designer- you're in a black box, you don't need to mic the band!) the show could have reached something pretty close to perfection.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 5:49am

So, broadwayboy987/stagedoor3, what did you think of the show tonight? (Well, last night- it's nearly 3AM...)

[broadwayboy987]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 1:56pm

I thought that the production was absolutely fantastic! The cast was incredible. Especially Lindsay Pearce, Payson Lewis, Katie Stevens and Stephanie Andersen. I did think that the change in Nadia's character was kind of weird but I still did enjoy it. She still did **spoiler: cut herself at the end of the song.** She was an incredible actress though. I actually liked the Claire, I thought she was pretty good. The only person that I wasn't too fond of was Jonah Platt. While he was a good singer I didn't think that he was a great actor. I was waiting for something big with his character because it seemed to be building up to something (which could've been Once Upon a Time) but it just wasn't there. The sound was absolutely terrible. I did very much like the design and I thought the direction was good overall. I enjoyed the show immensely and hope that I get to return (and hope that they extend)!

[StageDoor3]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 3:40pm

I am new to "bare". I never saw the original production in LA or any other production. I never got the CD's. So the show and the music were totally new to me. I enjoyed the show and liked the cast. But I had two major issues.

#1 – Same as FlowerChild said – there were sound issues for me. I had a hard time understanding the cast during the ensemble and louder numbers – which are most of the numbers. I don’t have a hearing problem. I was sitting in second row center (and sometimes speakers area aimed past the first couple of rows). But muffled lyrics and an overpowering band were a huge first strike against my involvement with the show.

#2 – I was looking at this show that opened in 2000 from a 2013 perspective. I’ve seen these stories before in theatre, film and TV. (“Rent”, “Spring Awakening”, “Glee”, “Saved – The Musical” and more). For a lot of the first act I stood outside the show because it didn’t reach a level of originality that drew me in. Again, not being able to understand all the lyrics may have been a huge part of this.

I’m gay and live in LA. I realize I shouldn’t be so harsh as to say “Yeah, I’ve seen this before. Show me something new.” “bare” is in a sense a period piece. But the truth is that, even though it is easier to be out and marriage equality is more accepted in 2013, the issues and emotions presented by the play are still a difficult reality for many people. Many, many people relate to it on a deeper level, and ultimately so did I.

I became more involved in the second act as the plot and characters developed and more of the numbers surprised me with an original approach. If the wedding scene at the opening of Act II was the same as in the original production that was amazingly effective and prescient in 2013. The number with Peter’s mother, the Mother Mary number and the ending of the show were equally affecting.

Regarding staging, I have liked Calvin Remsberg’s other productions. I didn’t have as much issue with his direction as FlowerChild. But then again, I’m not familiar with the show and have nothing else to compare it to. That said - I found Nadia bringing out a blade and then just appearing in a scene later like nothing had happened confusing. The final scenes with Jayson and Peter take place so far stage right (with set piece screen blocking them) that I wondered if the people on the other side of the theatre could see them. And I did not realize Jayson had taken an overdose. All of a sudden he just collapses, and it took me a few moments to think “Oh, the other student was giving out drugs a few minutes ago, and he must have OD’d.” So the direction may indeed need to be focused.

That said – I was in tears at the end, and the show won me over. I’m downloading the cast album and would like to revisit it with new eyes – and ears!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 4:09pm

StageDoor,

Welcome to Bare. :P

Yes, for sure... remember that this show opened in 2000, soon after Rent debuted, well before Spring Awakening, etc. It was also written, produced and directed a group of fresh-out-of college early 20-somethings.
For better or worse, and we can get into the history of Bare and write an essay.. but because of the mentality of certain people and the show's production history, I feel that, sadly - and like Rent, it was never truly a finished, polished product. When someone finally DID elect to revise and finish it, that individual decided to use the pieces to tell a VERY different story than what was originally written and intended, and it failed.

How was the wedding scene staged? Some of us can tell you exactly how it WAS staged originally...

Sorry to hear about the sound and some of the directorial / pacing choices. bare relies so heavily on clarity of lyric and a swift pace that keeps going. production notes even explain that it needs that, not a lot of breaks to allow for applause and lengthy scene changes.

I am baffled by Nadia being a cutter. I suppose I can easily that type of girl being a cutter, but as written, there just isn't room for that in Nadia.

Peter's coming out is such a wonderful and gut wrenching moment and "911! Emergency!" and "God Don't Make No Trash" are just perfect and show stopping when done well... sigh..

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 4:14pm

Why in the world is there an extra 20 minutes(?!?) of transitions between scenes? That is unacceptable and something you usually only see in bad high school theatre. It sounds like the director has no idea how to stage a proper scenery shift. The scenery for bare shouldn't even be that complicated. It's usually performed on a unit set. Playing music while the cast runs around in the dark to set up the next scene is so amateur.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 11:36pm

CATSNYrevival, the set was actually fairly simple. There were 6 scrim periactoids, and the cast would move them around during blackouts, to be walls, or the confessional (which actually worked so, so well!), etc. But there were far more transitions than necessary, and I'm convinced more than one took nearly 45 seconds.

Yeah, stagedoor3, I will admit I was a bit hyper-critical about the direction. My main problem was what you said, it was all very unfocused. I know the show very well, and when Jason started singing bare, I was confused, because I hadn't seen him take the drugs yet. Too much was going on.
Because of the show's flaws (like broadwayguy2, who I totally agree with, said, it's unfinished) it really needs a strong director, because the material, as much as I love bare, doesn't stand too well on it's own.

broadwayguy2: First off, like I said, I totally and completely agree with you regarding the piece being unfinished, and the recent revisal. Wedding Bells had Sister Chantelle standing downstage center, with Peter and Jason on either side (like, you know, a wedding) and then the cast upstage in a V. There was really nothing more than that. And it didn't need more than that, either.

Broadwayboy987, I hope that they extend, too! For one thing, I now want to see Katie Stevens in the role! (The Nadia I saw was pretty good, but I felt she teetered into "self-pity territory" a bit too often)
Yeah, Jonah Platt kinda seemed to be of the "if I speak the end of the line, then it means it's more emotional, and that means better acting!" frame of mind. I thought he came into his own during Cross, at least when I saw it. A little underwhelming, but still quite good.

I am curious to know if there's any possibility of them extending, though. I'm not sure how that works. Can someone more knowledgeable than I help me out, please? :)

[rooftopbeer]

Posted: 9/16/13 at 2:40pm

Saw the show last night and loved every minute of it! Being a huge fan of the CD, I was nervous that it wasn't going to live up to my expectations - but this production does not disappoint. It was so well done. Payson Lewis IS Peter. He is so vulnerable, and real, and that voice!! he can hit those notes like nobody else. Somebody needs to get this kid to Broadway. And Katie Stevens as Nadia was a revelation. Anytime she sang I wanted to cry - her voice is so soulful. And I didn't mind the added bit about Nadia being a cutter. She's constantly pulling down her sleeves in the show to hide her scars, so it's a great added trait to the character. Jonah Platt was good too, I didn't have that much of an issue as others here. Everyone around me seemed to be very moved by his second act performance. Lindsay is a force to be reckoned with as Ivy - she really brings a sensitive, wounded girl side to that character that really layers her, and gives her multiple dimensions. And Nathan Parrett, who played Matt -Your heart breaks the moment that Ivy breaks up with him for Jason at her party. And I currently have this guy's "Are You There" on repeat. And the ENTIRE cast... the adults, the ensemble... everyone is PHENOMENAL. Each supporting character has their own story and when I go back, I'm probably going to be more closely watching their interactions because they are hilarious. The girls who played Kyra and Tanya - and the guy who played Allen - anytime they're on stage, you can't take your eyes off them!! Also, I thought the sound was pretty good, I was near the back of the theatre on the right hand side and I had no problem hearing anything whatsoever! And it was a perfect view of the action, so all in all a good seat!



Updated On: 9/16/13 at 02:40 PM

[StageDoor3]

Posted: 9/16/13 at 5:36pm

Thank you, Broadwayguy2 and FlowerChild67, for your replies to my post. I know "bare" is a work from young creators, and it is so sad that Damon Intrabartolo passed away at such a young age last month. I am curious to know more about the recent NY production and how that was different. Gonna research that.

The sound may indeed be better from the back of the theatre, rooftopbeer, but it was really rough in front. Maybe I'll get a seat back there next time

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/17/13 at 7:29pm

rooftopbeer: I absolutely loved how all the characters interacted- Rory and Dianne always talking, and just little details like that. :)I'm also very glad that the sound was fine for you.
Also, just to be clear (because I read my previous comment, and realized that I sounded like I didn't like his performance) I did like Jonah Platt as Jason. Other than my problem with his speaking the end of so many lyrics, I thought he was really good. Just his entire performance (as well as Nathan Parrett, actually) was underwhelming, because it was so, so overhwhelmed by the music.
If I go back (which I doubt, because of the cost, but hopefully I will) I'll be sure to sit in the back! :P

[Wildcard]

Posted: 9/17/13 at 8:00pm

I saw this show last weekend. I had no prior knowledge of "Bare" nor of its music before seeing it. Overall, I thought it was a very good production. The cast was top notch. The leads all had very beautiful voices and acted pretty well. I felt that Act 1 was overly long. I don't know if really was like that originally or whether it's due to the long interludes in between scenes. Not much was happening book-wise in Act 1 but that thankfully was remedied by Act 2. Technically, this production felt like a high-school musical. The "sets" were flimsy and looked cheap. I wish they had invested a little bit more so that the structures looked nicer and more stable. As others had mentioned too, the sound design wasn't very good. I couldn't understand what some of the actors were saying at the beginning of the musical although it got better as the show progressed. With this cast, if the production had been infused with a little more money, it would have elevated the show exponentially.

[Funny Girl]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 11:44am

I attended last night's 8:30 p.m. performance of bare at the Hayworth Theater in Los Angeles.

To comment on a few concerns from previous posters:

I was in the front row, and experienced none of the sound issues previously reported. We had a group of 13 people, sitting at various places in the theater, and none of them reported any sound issues either.

Also, the director has fixed the ending: the drug buying scene is done in spotlight on the right side of the stage, then the drug taking scene is done in spotlight on the left side of the stage. It's very clear what is happening, and there is no audience confusion whatsoever.

At the end of "Quiet Night at Home" our audience was shocked, but applauded wildly. Katie really sold it.

I agree with the previous posters that the cast is top notch, the set design was amateurish, and Act 1 dragged. But Act 2 was a powerhouse, and at the end, there were people not just crying, but SOBBING.

Overall, it's an excellent production, and well worth seeing.

Of interesting note: they are selling an unlabeled cast recording of the show for $10.

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 8:38pm

Be aware it's only six songs. My friend bought it and was very disappointed.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 11:04pm

^Seriously? They also have all 6 songs uploaded on YouTube, why would they think anyone would pay $10 for it?

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 11:15pm

whoever said the words bare and broadway..... ahahahaha, ahaha, aha, ah... good joke, yeah the recent revival/revised production killed this property for a tleast a decade