Evolution Theatre Company's BARE Begins Tonight

Tonight, September 10, Evolution Theatre Company will bring to the stage the Columbus premiere of bare:A Pop Opera book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo, music by Damon Intrabartolo, lyrics by Jon Hartmere. Through its pulsating rock score and emotionally charged story, bare has thrilled and moved audiences around the world. A contemporary rock musical, bare follows a group of teens wrestling with issues of identity, sexuality, and religion at a co-ed Catholic boarding school. Provocative, raw, and unyielding in its exploration of how today's generation navigates the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood, bare examines the consequences of baring a soul-or hiding it from those who matter most.

The show will leave you breathless with it's energy, great performances, strong score and musical numbers. bare deals truthfully and directly with the battle between homosexuality and Catholicism. Peter and Jason are seniors at a Catholic boarding school. They are forced to deal with their mutual romantic attraction while trying to uphold the standards of their families and the Catholic Church. Jason's sister, Nadia, is introverted and worried about her looks; Ivy is pretty and popular, but desperately in love with Jason, and frequently unable to get her affections returned; and Matt is in love with Ivy, but can't get her to reciprocate. There's a great deal to like in the score, which gives bare its strong pulse. Hartmere and Intrabartolo has written their characters in a rock vernacular recalling such works Jesus Christ Superstar, Rent, but adding their own unique, and at times irreverent theatrical style.

The production is being produced by Evolution Theatre Inc., Mark Phillips Schwamberger producer. The production is being directed by Patrick McGregor with music direction by Zac DelMonte, assistant musical director Brian Gray and choreography by Kati Serbu. The set was designed by M. K. Hughes and costumes designed by Dayton Edward Willison. The cast consists of all local talent from the Columbus area and includes John Schlabach as Jason, Andy Simmons as Peter, Cassie Kahr as Ivy, Jenna Lee Shively as Nadia, David J. Glover as Matt, Jordan Phillips as Lucas, Cassie Gress as Tanya, Kristen Basore as Kyra, Katie DiPietro as Diane, Julia Langholt as Rory, Caleb Baker as Zack, T. Johnpaul Adams as Alan, Jesika Lehner as Claire, Akillah Clark as Sister Chantelle, Todd Holland as the Priest, with chorus members Jordan Schafer, Erika Buford, Emily Prior, Michael Carozza and Johnny Robinson. The production is staged managed by Emily Mellon with assistance stage manager Meaghan Vaders.

The show will preview at 8 p.m., Wednesday, September 10 with performances 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 11-13 & September 18 -20; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Preview tickets: $10. General Admission: $25-$20, Students/Seniors: $15. Available for purchase online at www.evolutiontheatre.org or by calling the 24/7 TicketHotline at 800- 838-3006. Performances are at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave., Columbus, OH 43215 in the Shedd Theatre. For information about the productions or the company, call or text Evolution Theatre Company, 614-233-1124 or visit www.evolutiontheatre.org.

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