MEDICINE HAT MUSICAL THEATRE – BARE: A POP OPERA PRESS KIT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, January 29, 2015 Bare: A Pop Opera Book by Jon Hartmere & Damon Intrabartolo Music by Damon Intrabartolo Lyrics by Jon Hartmere Directed by Jason Johnson May 22, 23, & 28, 29, 30 – 8pm May 24 Matinee – 2pm No, ‘Bare’ isn’t a strip show. It’s a metaphor for the unmasking of the fragile teenage psyche when the pretense of “the expected” is finally dropped. Those teen years are tough enough under the best of conditions. Imagine what it’s like at St. Cecilia’s Boarding School – where the motto is “No more dodgin’, God is watchin’”– and high school can be downright torturous. But it’s eased a bit by wisecracking Sister Chantelle (Rondi Korven), who has just announced auditions for the class play, “Romeo and Juliet.” Slightly nerdy Peter (David Jeffery) will audition, and wants more-thanbest-friend Jason (Justin Iriving) to do likewise. But Jason – tall, sculpted, gorgeous and in love with Peter since they were freshmen – is fearful and wants to go out for sports, where he gets plenty of adulation and can escape embarrassing questions about his sexual orientation. He also consistently nixes Peter’s suggestion that they give his mother Claire (Angela Bygrave) the news together, insisting that their secret is “Best Kept Secret.” (Of course, Mom already knows, and really doesn’t want to hear it from Peter anyway.) Jason does audition – for Peter’s sake – and is cast as Romeo, edging out perennial second-placer Matt (Bryghton Robertson). Alas, Jason’s Juliet – Ivy (Jordan Weisgerber) – falls in love with him, unaware that he can’t love her. The common teen problems of drug abuse, pregnancy and body image are also tackled in ‘Bare’. Jason’s sister Nadia (Kathleen Copland) struggles with the near social invisibility of the overweight, and her song “Plain Jane Fatass” is a highlight: “There’s a thin girl inside her – with 12 of her friends”. Though many of us might prefer to forget those high school days, “bare: a pop opera” gives a realistic portrayal of the problems some of us faced. If you saw ‘Rent’, the rock opera based on Verdi’s grand opera “La Bohème,” you’ll find ‘Bare’ in the same ballpark, though this music is more pop than hard rock. Jason Johnson and Courtney Scott-Donaldson direct a large cast of 15 in “bare: a pop opera.” The show, by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo, plays May 22-30, 2015 at the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre Playhouse. 1 MEDICINE HAT MUSICAL THEATRE – BARE: A POP OPERA PRESS KIT SHOW OVERVIEW: A group of high school seniors at a Catholic boarding school faces issues of sexuality and personal identity. As they struggle to come to terms with who they are, and who the world thinks they should be, they seek answers from their Church, their friends, and ultimately, from within themselves. Its rich, vibrant score draws on many styles of contemporary music. TICKETING INFORMATION: ‘Bare: a pop opera’ will be performed at the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre Playhouse. All seating is rush-seating. The box office can be reached at (403) 502-3477. Tickets and additional information can be found online at www.mhmtheatre.com. MEDIA ONLY: FOR MORE INFORMATION Christina Quast, Production Manager C: 403.581.8089 [email protected] PRODUCTION DETAILS: Play Title: Bare: a pop opera By Jon Hartmere & Damon Intrabartolo Play Type: Musical Tickets: $30.00 each Box Office: 403.502.3477 Dates & Show Times: May 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 – 8:00pm, May 24 Matinee – 2:00pm Location: Medicine Hat Musical Theatre Playhouse - 1221 10 Ave SW, Medicine Hat, AB Website: www.mhmtheatre.com CAST Jason Peter Ivy Nadia Matt Lucas Tanya Kyra Diane Zack Alan Claire Sister Chantelle Priest Justin Irving David Jeffery Jordan Weisgerber Kathleen Copland Bryghton Robertson Mark Irwin Janlyn Hoffman Scout Parks Kathleen Donaldson Laine Green Adriaan Kriel Angela Bygrave Rondi Korven Tyler Johnson PRODUCTION PERSONNEL Director Assistant Director Production Manager Stage Manager Set Design Musical Director Costumes Hair & Makeup Properties Sound Sound Effects Lighting Jason Johnson Courtney Donaldson Christina Quast Adam Rodgers Jason Johnson Bob Donaldson Traelene de Graaf Jen Hausauer-Klepatz Jillian Barbour Josh Krause Dave Cradduck Adam Rodgers 2
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