bare: A Pop Opera

Act One

At St. Cecilia’s Boarding School, the priest is giving a Mass for the Feast of Epiphany. As the priest and students pray, one student, Peter, falls asleep. He is horrified by a nightmare, in which the priest outs him as gay, and his classmates taunt him mercilessly. Still in the dream, his mother appears, and informs him that he will be going to Hell (“Epiphany”). After Mass, Peter meets up with Jason, a popular basketball player and Peter’s secret lover. Peter is uncomfortable with the closeted nature of the relationship, especially since Jason is constantly fawned over by female students. He struggles to trust Jason’s love. Peter asks Jason to join him in auditioning for the school play, Romeo and Juliet, but Jason is reticent. He assures Peter that he’ll think about it, and they’ll talk later (“You and I”). Now alone, Peter struggles with his conflicting emotions -- his love for Jason and his frustration with remaining in the closet -- and begs God for guidance (“Role of a