The issues that can cause so much angst in the high school years are laid bare in the Oakland Center for the Arts' next theater production.
"Bare," a pop opera, opens tonight.
Homosexuality, teen pregnancy and promiscuity, eating disorders, suicide, drug abuse, issues with parents — these are all unflinchingly dealt with in the show.
"Bare," by John Hartmere Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo, premiered in Los Angeles in 2000. The Oakland production, directed by Liz Rubino, will be the Mahoning Valley debut.
The story is set in a co-ed catholic boarding school — the city isn't named, but it could be in the Midwest — in the present day. The students are under the care of a priest who is emotionally distant and a sister who becomes a mother figure.
Rubino last directed the rock musical "Spring Awakening" at the Oakland, which also deals with teen angst and problems. "['Bare'] is similar to 'Spring Awakening,' but it's contemporary," she said.
Because she is professionally involved in theater as therapy, Rubino was attracted to "Bare" for its ability to teach and its message.
"Drama therapy attracts me," she said. "It always does. I'm not interested in anything that isn't psychologically deep.
An underlying theme centers on how open or closed people are to the truth.
The sparse stage set uses doors to symbolize how open or closed the characters are at any given moment.
Rubino stressed that the play is not anti-Catholic and does not dredge up the priest pedophilia scandal.
Each of the cast members also felt a strong connection to the play.
Again, Rubino saw it as an example of using theater as a teaching moment.
The Oakland's production of "Bare" includes musical direction by Cory Davis and choreography by Billie Anzevino.
The cast includes: Kristopher Ray North, Connor Bezeredi, Madison Gulfo, Jaime Kirchhofer, Mazhorell Johnson, Rachel Ruggieri, Jonathon Cain, Victoria Lubonovich, Claire Blackledge, Emily Shipley, Braxton Mendez, Ezekiel Ellis, Ray Wriston, Monique Lopez, Gino Ginnetti and Michaela Ellis.