Feb 8, 2012

[Theater] blueREPERTORYs 2012 Revival of Bare


I've received word from my contacts at Ateneo blueREPERTORY that they're staging a revival run of Bare: A Pop Opera starting the end of the month at Teatrino at the Promenade in Greenhills. I have to admit that I missed the 2009 run of the play by the same group and with luck I'll be able to catch this repeat run, if my schedules are nice to me. But with so many things going on, I admit it's going to be a little tricky.

The official press release follows after the cut!

“ BARE: A POP OPERA ” ABOUT TWO BOYS IN LOVE SET TO OPEN ON FEB. 29


In line with its 20th anniversary, the Ateneo blueREPERTORY of the Loyola Schools Performing Arts Cluster proudly presents “ BARE: A POP OPERA ” --- the amazing Off-Broadway musical that narrates the story of two boys at a Catholic boarding school as they struggle through the challenges their clandestine love brings.


Due to insistent public demand following its initial sold-out three-week run in 2009, the Ateneo blueREPERTORY has decided to revive “ BARE:  A POP OPERA ” as the featured season finale for school year 2011-2012, a marked precedent in the history of productions produced by the student organization. 


So as to treat a bigger target audience with the musical’s powerful story, timely message and memorable music, “ BARE: A POP OPERA ” is set to open on February 29, 2012 - 8:00 p.m. at TEATRINO located at The Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan.


Succeeding play dates are set on March 1-3 and March 7-10 with gala shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and matinee shows on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.


“ BARE:  A POP OPERA ” centers on a group of high school seniors at a Catholic boarding school, facing issues of sexuality and personal identity. The show revolves around the clandestine romance between Peter, an altar boy, and Jason, the school’s golden kid. While Peter feels they should make their relationship public, Jason worries they won’t be accepted and is further troubled by the advances of the popular Ivy. Nadia, Jason’s overweight, sardonic sister, and Matt, Ivy’s ambitious suitor, join their story, which resonates with the many of us who have suffered the scrutiny of a prejudiced world.


With book, music and lyrics by Jon Hartmere Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo,               “ BARE:  A POP OPERA ” tells the emotional story of how these teenagers come to terms with who they are and who the world thinks they should be, seeking answers from the Church, their friends and, ultimately, from within themselves.


“ BARE:  A POP OPERA ” ran at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles, California from October 2000 - February 25, 2001. The New York production of “ BARE: A POP OPERA ”, at the American Theatre of Actors off-Broadway, ran from April 19 - May 27, 2004. The Los Angeles production and the New York production were both directed by Kristin Hanggi.


“ BARE:  A POP OPERA ”  features Jaime Barcelon as Jason,  the handsome golden child of St. Cecilia's senior class. Jaime recently appeared as Jetsam in Atlantis Productions’ “ THE LITTLE MERMAID ” and was casted as an understudy for Henry in Atlantis Productions’ “ NEXT TO NORMAL ”. Jaime also played Laurie in “ LITTLE WOMEN ” (Repertory Philippines), Don John in “ MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING ” (Upstart Productions), First Man in “ THE TALES OF THE MANUVU ” (CCP/BP), Rolf in   “ THE SOUND OF MUSIC ” (Repertory Philippines), Ensemble in “ UNDAUNTED ” (Stages). With the Ateneo blueREPERTORY, he played Jonathan Larson in “ TICK, TICK… BOOM! ” and Ryan Evans in “ HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: LIVE! ”. Jaime was an original member of The Ryan Cayabyab Singers. He has a solo album entitled “ Lead Me to Love ” by Universal Records.


Bibo Reyes will reprise the role of Peter, an introspective person and Jason's clandestine boyfriend. Bibo is a senior studying BFA Information Design at the Ateneo de Manila University. He was recently seen in Atlantis Productions’ “ IN THE HEIGHTS ” as Sonny. Bibo’s other performances in the Ateneo blueREPERTORY include the roles of Berger in “ HAIR ”, Dennis in “ ALL SHOOK UP ”, and Tank in “ ZANNA, DON’T! ”


Maronne Cruz will play the role of Ivy, a pretty and popular St. Cecilia’s student who falls for Jason. Maronne is a junior studying BS Management at the Ateneo de Manila University. She was last seen onstage as Audrey in “ LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS ”, Jeanie/Ensemble in “ HAIR ”, Woman 2 in “ EDGES ”, and Scaramouche in “ ROCK AND RULE ” -- all productions of the Ateneo blueREPERTORY.


Cassie Manalastas reprises the role of Nadia, Jason's pudgy, sardonic twin sister. Cassie is a senior studying BS Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University. She starred as Ronette in the Ateneo blueREPERTORY’s “ LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS ”. 


Orange Sanchez and Franco Chan shall alternate the role of Matt, the studious, pious student who so happens to be Jason's academic and romantic rival. Orange Sanchez played Sister Chantelle in the Ateneo blueREPERTORY’s original run of “ BARE: A POP OPERA ”. He has also done several shows under the Ateneo blueREPERTORY such as “ ZANNA, DON’T! ” as Buck and Officer Clutsky, and “ HAIR ” as Margaret Mead. Last August 2011, he placed 1st runner up in the duet category of UST’S Himigsikan singing competition. Franco has starred in over 20 plays and musicals with the Youth of San Antonio, including “ STUMPED ”, “ TRES ”, “ THE SEVEN WIZARDS ”, “ TOYS FOR TOYS ” and     “ THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH PRESENTS ”. He also played Matt for the 2009 Repertory Workshop Showcase                “ BEND ”.


Mark Bernardo plays the role of Lucas, the school's fun-loving purveyor of altered reality. Mark is a senior studying AB Interdisciplinary Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University. He has played drums for the Ateneo blueREPERTORY’s “ ALL SHOOK UP ”, “ HAIR ”, “ ROCK AND RULE ”,  “ ZANNA, DON’T! ” and the first run of “ BARE: A POP OPERA ”.


Jenny Jamora shall reprise the role of Claire, Peter's mother. Jenny is an Aliw-award nominated actress who has worked with Repertory Philippines, Atlantis Productions, New Voice Company, Actor’s Actors, Inc., Word of Mouth Philippines, U.P. Playwright’s Theater, Musical Theater Philippines and the Ateneo blueREPERTORY. She took acting courses with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She is currently the co-head of the Philippine Theater Actors Guild’s Talent Development and Training Committee. Theater credits include Rose Hsu Jordan in Repertory Philippines’ “ JOY LUCK CLUB ”, Charlotte in Atlantis Productions’ “ A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC ”, Woman 1, 2, 3 in New Voice Company’s “ THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES ”, and many others.


Rem Zamora will reprise the role of Sister Chantelle an African-American nun, wise, no-nonsense and also as Priest, St. Cecilia's headmaster. Rem starred in the Ateneo blueREPERTORY’s first production, “ PIPPIN ”, as the Lead Player, and the year after as The Tin Man in “ The Wiz ”. He starred in Repertory Philippines’ 1996 production of “ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ” as Judas Iscariot and later portrayed General Emilio Aguinaldo in the world premiere of “ MIONG ”, an original Filipino musical. Other theater credits include “ GLORIOUS ”, “ THE FANTASTICKS ”, “ ROMANCE-ROMANCE ”,             “ MAN OF LA MANCHA ”, “ CAROUSEL ”, “ AMADEUS ”, “ ONCE ON THIS ISLAND ”,         “ A CHRISTMAS CAROL ”, “ LEND ME A TENOR ”, “ THE MERCHANT OF             VENICE ”, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING ”, “ A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM ”, “ LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST ”, and a slew of other straight plays and musicals both in the Philippines and abroad. 


The ensemble features Jussy Peña as Tanya, Lucas's girlfriend; Mikah Franco as Kyra, the sexy student; Mica Fajardo as the naive Diane Lee; Raisa Tabusalla as the sarcastic Rory; Jian Kho as Zack, the jock-type student; Gabriel Perez as the nerdy Alan; Lara Antonio as Louise; Luigi Du as Jakob; CJ Francisco as Seth; Bernice Reyes as Mary Jane; and Dar Uy as Daniel.


“ BARE: A POP OPERA ” will be directed by ANA ABAD SANTOS. She appeared in Repertory Philippines’s “ A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO ” and directed     “ Hamlet ”. She also directed the Ateneo blueREPERTORY’s first run of “ BARE: A POP OPERA ” in 2009. 


“ BARE: A POP OPERA ” is sponsored by Big Better Burgers, Cerealicious, Cha Dao Tea Place, Freeform Printing, Intersection Bar and Cafe, Mile Hi Diner, Sicilian Express, and Tunog at Liwanag sa Teatro. Media partners include Business World, Click the City, Manila Bulletin, Monster Radio RX93.1, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Philippine Paradise Pages. “ BARE: A POP OPERA ” is also brought to you by Angel's Pizza Pasta Combo, Boardwalk, Energizer, Evans, Figlia, Folded and Hung, Jockey, Sbarro, and 101 New York. Special thanks to Aperture Society and Jonathan Matthew Salon.


The artistic and creative team of the Ateneo blueREPERTORY’S  “ BARE: A POP OPERA ” is composed of  Onyl Torres (Musical Director for Vocals), Abi Sulit (Assistant Musical Director for Vocals), Joseph Tolentino (Musical Director for Band), Carlon Matobato (Choreographer), Leeroy New (Set Designer), John Batalla (Lights Designer and Technical Director), Jethro Joaquin (Sound Designer), and Raven Ong (Costume Designer).


The production staff is composed of Tomik Tendero (Company Manager), Nina de Leon (Production Manager), Loraine Macatangay (Co-Head Stage Manager), Tricia Javier (Co-Head Stage Manager), Wrench Canicosa, Meg Yatco, Nick Fortuna, Claude Flores (Stage Managers), Rosa Leon Lumagbas (Costume Stylist), Jie Dela Paz (Assistant Technical Director), KL So Chan (Costumes Technical Director), Kina Casino (Lights and Sounds Technical Director),  Claude Flores (Set and Props Technical Director),  Asami Kobayashi (Logistics Head), Abbey Manliclic (Finance Head), Aina Pacificador (Documentations Head), and Chiz Jardin (Front-of-House Head).


The marketing, sales and publicity of  “BARE: A POP OPERA  ” is led by Toots Tolentino (PR & Publicity) with Gala Sanchez, Aldrich Alcantara and Luis Marcelo (Promotions and Marketing) and Jojit Lorenzo (Photography).


For tickets, inquiries and other information, please contact Chiz Jardin at 09165787618 or through email at nicojardin12@yahoo.com. For show buying, please contact Luis Marcelo at 09175025847.


Subscribe to www.facebook.com/bluerepbare and www.facebook.com/blueREPERTORY. Follow @_blueREPERTORY on Twitter.

“ BARE: A POP OPERA ” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10018. www.theatricalrights.com.

2 comments:

  1. Oh my! I wanna see this! I love the soundtrack!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So do I! But our schedule this quarter is so busy!

    ReplyDelete