MEDICINE HAT MUSICAL THEATRE – BARE: A POP OPERA

MEDICINE HAT MUSICAL THEATRE – BARE: A POP OPERA
PRESS KIT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday, March 27, 2015
Bare: A Pop Opera
Book by Jon Hartmere & Damon Intrabartolo
Music by Damon Intrabartolo
Lyrics by Jon Hartmere
Directed by Jason Johnson & Courtney Scott-Donaldson
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
Dave Cannon, Production Manager
C: 403.928.0972
bare@mhmtheatre.com
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Play Title: Bare: a pop opera By Jon Hartmere & Damon Intrabartolo
Play Type: Musical
Tickets: $30.00 each +gst
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
Rory
Zack
Alan
Claire
Sister Chantelle
Priest
Justin Irving
David Jeffery
Jordan Weisgerber
Kathleen Copland
Bryghton Robertson
Mark Irwin
Holly Stanich
Scout Parks
Kathleen Donaldson
Emily Szemethy
Laine Green
Adriaan Kriel
Angela Bygrave
Rondi Korven
Tyler Johnson
PRODUCTION PERSONNEL
Director
Assistant Director
Production Manager
Stage Manager
Set Design
Set Construction
Musical Director
Costumes
Hair & Makeup
Properties
Sound
Sound Effects
Lighting
Jason Johnson
Courtney Donaldson
Dave Cannon
Adam Rodgers
Jason Johnson & Linda Gordon
MHMT’s LOFT Crew
Bob Donaldson
Jen Brigden & Jessica Johnson
Jen Hausauer-Klepatz
Jillian Barbour
Josh Krause
Dave Cradduck
Adam Rodgers
2