Want to write a play? Check with Bill Shakespeare. He’s probably written something that will provide a template, or at least a few good ideas. That’s what Damon Intrabartolo and John Hartmere Jr., did, and the result is “bare,” almost a rock opera but with a challenging text and often-sensitive lyrics that New Line Theatre opened last night at the Washington University South Campus Theatre. It’s a strong, intelligent, interesting show that has played here and there around the country for more than a decade. This is its St. Louis premiere.
Shakespeare? Well, “bare” has a show-within-a-show format, and the show is a Catholic high school production of “Romeo and Juliet.” We don’t have Montagues and Capulets, but we have gays and straights, and we have a priest in a confessional advising a gay student to “forget about it.”
Intrabartolo and Hartmere collaborated on the book. Some of the score displays emo (or emotional) rock, and Hartmere’s lyrics take advantage of the style. The biggest problem of the evening was volume. The auditorium at the former CBC practically shook, especially during the first act, and it was often difficult to understand the lyrics. Things improved in the second act, so perhaps further improvement will be possible during the remainder of the run. Hartmere’s lyrics often show real style, and it was a shame to lose so many. Scott Miller’s usually careful direction kept things rolling along, but there was a need for a real choreographer for some rather rocky dance numbers.
Given the story and the setting, a number of younger actors (many students at Webster University) got the chance, and there are some splendid performances. Jacob Golliher is a superior Jason/Romeo, handsome and vocally strong. He’s frightened by his own sexuality, and torn by the fact that he is a sexual target of both boys and girls, few of whom understand him. Mike Dowdy also is strong as Peter/Mercutio, also gay, and disturbed by the fact that he cannot tell his mother; Alison Helmer offers a good performance as an over-scheduled modern parent. Her big number, “Warning,” is powerful, and she’s right with it. Sister Chantelle is a faculty member who is directing the play, and she has many of the wry one-liners and a powerful song, “God Don’t Make No Trash,” sung to the grieving Jason.
Zachary Allen Farmer, another Miller mainstay, offers a winning performance as the Priest, strong in his pontificating, but collapsing on the really important issues.
Charlotte Byrd, as Jason’s sister, Nadia, has anger down to a fine art and Terrie Carolan is outstanding as Ivy/Juliet, who sings well, fails to win Jason and ends up as the tragic figure. Carolan provides a delightful, exciting sexual presence, too. Good work from Jonathan Foster as Matt, also trying to find a lover.
There are good songs and fine lyrics, with the Intrabartolo-Hartmere team delivering a good message. Todd Schaefer designed the rather basic set, and Thom Crain’s costumes had that thrift store Catholic school look. Kenneth Zinkl designed the successful lighting scheme and Justin Smolik led the band from the keyboard. Other musicians were D. Mike Bauer, Aaron Doerr, Suye Goldford, Dave Hall and Clancey Newell.
bare, a production of New Line Theatre, opened last night at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC) and will perform through June 25.
—Joe