|
|||||||||||||
Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Fair Play
‘Bare' challenges intolerance: The years spent in college and the years that immediately follow are believed by many to be the years when individuals are at their most courageous and idealistic.
The upcoming production of "Bare: A Pop Opera" by the newly formed CCT with 2nd Flight Theatre Company in Loudoun would seem to support this belief.
The opera is based on a book written by Damon Intrabartolo and Jon Hartmere, with the music by Intrabartolo and the lyrics by Hartmere.
The play opened in Los Angeles in 2000 and was optioned for an off-Broadway run in 2004.
The themes are timely: teen pregnancy, homosexuality, suicide and errant Catholic priests. There's also a mother in denial, the student "purveyor of altered reality," the popular girl, the jock and the overweight smart aleck. The setting is a Catholic boarding school. The time is senior year.
"We chose 'Bare' because it has not been done in the area at all. ... It has a wild, edgy and not conservative theme. The social issues addressed in the play are important to address in the community. These are issues like sexual identity, relationships in high school, trying to find yourself as an individual," explained Leah Aspell of Reston, assistant producer and communication director for CCT with 2nd Flight Theatre Company.
This production is directed by Debbie Niezgoda, of Alexandria.
There are 15 cast and 15 production members.
"The actors have to look young, so that was a challenge," Aspell said.
Aspell made it clear this is not a play intended for children. There is some nudity and there is boy-on-boy kissing.
"It is a pop opera so it means there is not a lot of dialogue. It is almost all sung except maybe 20 words. ... Once you hear that music you're going to be sold hook line and sinker," Aspell said.
Niezgoda, in preparing the playbill, wrote, "The villain in the play is blind obedience to the [Catholic] Church's teachings at the expense of tolerance and empathy. The villain is not those who believe in God, faith and/or religion. In fact, one of the strongest voices of God is the sharp-tongued nun, Sister Chantelle. Arguably the worst high school drama teacher on the face of the earth, she is the personification of God's love and compassion for all of His children."
Niezgoda wrote that the theme of "one" recurs throughout the play: one voice, one kiss, one heart, one love; ...True love (regardless of whether it be love between a parent and child, love between two friends, love between a man and a woman, love between a woman and woman, or love between a man and a man) brings us closer to the love of the Almighty."
The two agencies that became CCT with 2nd Flight Theatre Company in May both have their roots in the world of higher education.
The College Community Theater (CCT), under the guidance of the Loudoun campus of Northern Virginia Community College's Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, was established in 2003 with a mission to entertain, enlighten and educate the diverse community in which the campus resides.
2nd Flight Productions was officially formed in March of 2003 by six recent college graduates who had met and become best friends as members of the student-run State Your Name Theatre Company at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. As directors, actors, producers and designers, the founders committed to forming a company that would provide high-quality community theater.
Aspell joined the group last year for its production of Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida."
"We're all really driven. We don't accept failure well. We are all working long hours to make this a great production," Aspell said.
Aspell indicated that, if there are protesters, there is a plan of action.
"We'll open up the doors and let the music out. ... Personally, I'm looking forward to the protesters. Whatever floats your boat. If you want to come out and rain on our parade have at it."
Contact the writer at ecarlton@timespapers.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.