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, the play is set to open on February 29 at 8 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 p.m., and matinee shows on Saturdays at 3 p.m.
The play 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, the play ” 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.
The play ran at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles, California from October 2000 to February 25, 2001. The New York production at the American Theatre of Actors off-Broadway ran from April 19 to May 27, 2004. The Los Angeles production and the New York production were both directed by Kristin Hanggi.
The local run features Jaime Barcelon as Jason, the handsome golden child of St. Cecilia’s senior class. Barcelon recently appeared as Jetsam in Atlantis Productions’ The Little Mermaid” and was casted as an understudy for Henry in Atlantis Productions’ “Next To Normal”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rem Zamora will reprise the role of Sister Chantelle an African-American nun, wise, no-nonsense and also as Priest, St. Cecilia’s headmaster.
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.
The play will be directed by Ana Abad Santos.
The play 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.
The artistic and creative team 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).
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.
The play 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.