 |
| Bethany Novotny, Kyler Tunnell and Christian Bader (center foreground), and Cast Photo by Joanne Wastchak |
Click here for more information on this production that runs through November 3
"Since the musical Bare is set in a Catholic boarding school and centers on a group of high school seniors, it makes sense to have a youth theatre present this show. Casting a talented group of teen actors who are approximately the same ages as the archetypical characters and seeing them effectively portray them as they maneuver through numerous obstacles, conflict, and the related teen angst brings a beautiful sense of realism to the piece. While the situations and characters are ones we've seen before in numerous films and TV shows that focus on teen issues, the score for Bare is rich, with a number of pop ballads and upbeat ensemble numbers. Spotlight Youth Theatre is presenting a worthwhile production of this still timely musical. Bare is the story of Peter and Jason, two high school boys who are in love. However, since they attend a Catholic boarding school and are both closeted, they hide away their true selves and get little support or guidance from their religious leaders or parents....Kenny Grossman's direction keeps the plot focused and the action moving, with the leads all using effective gestures to depict the obstacles, happy moments, and sad times their characters encounter. ...Christian Bader and Kyler Tunnell are both excellent as Jason, the outgoing but closeted jock, and the quiet loner Peter, respectively. ...Bare first premiered almost 20 years ago and its plot is fairly simple, straightforward, and similar to other dramas that focus on teen issues, but with a score that has honesty and adds a raw emotion to the simplicity of the characters and the situations they find themselves in, it comes across as fresh and still relevant today. It's also a musical that beautifully and subtly portrays hope in tragedy and how forgiveness is more important than finding blame. With an excellent cast and spotless direction, Spotlight Youth Theatre's production is well worth seeing and a moving production of this fairly provocative show. -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
No comments:
Post a Comment
In order to avoid spam, comments will be moderated. Anonymous comments no longer will be allowed. If your comment is from an actual person it will be approved and posted in a timely manner.