Theater Review: 'bare' at Sacred Heart University

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

The strong Sacred Heart University Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program will present the final performances of the sold-out run of “bare” through Sunday at 3 p.m. This sung-through musical, which I formerly reviewed as “bare: a pop opera,” is powered by music by Damon Interbartolo and lyrics and a book by Jon Hartmere.

The show is a contemporary rock musical that tells the story of high school seniors at a Catholic boarding school in the 90s. The students navigate the dangerous terrain of identity, love and self-discovery. Jason and Peter are the heart of the tale, two boys who grapple with their love as they contend with the oppressive expectations of their religious school, their unforgiving peers and their families. This is an emotionally powerful story of teenagers that search for connection and acceptance.

“bare” is performed within the confines of the ‘The Little Theatre,” the former chapel on the main SHU campus. (I know this because I spent time in the brick-walled chapel when I was an undergrad and sung at the Sunday Mass with the late Fr. Bill Sangiovani after I graduated.) It wasn’t lost on me that this story based on a Catholic school was performed in a Catholic university, making it just a bit more relatable to those of the faith.

Justin Zenchuk directs the students, ensuring that they thoughtfully portray their well-drawn (and slightly younger) Catholic school students. I liked that two actors were seated on the cubes arranged as pews onstage as the audience entered, joined singly by the rest of their classmates before the “curtain” was raised. The performers rearranged the black wooden cubes as needed. JZ was assisted by Megan Loiacano and Erin Pellegrini for this show.

John Morrow worked with the students as music director, helping the singers to sound wonderful performing their solos and more importantly to sing in perfect harmony for some of the choral numbers. I appreciated the work that went into the tight harmony they achieved. Kudos to Jamie Douglass and Genevieve Seanor on the great choreography for a few of the numbers that fit the small stage.

Madison Morris and Danielle Toppa collaborated on the costume design that included the requisite parochial school uniform pieces, club outfits, Shakespearean garb for “Two Households,” graduation robes, and sparkly dresses for a dream sequence. Hair and makeup by Macie Cox and Isabella Cutalo work well for the students. Carlee Ferrara was in charge of the props.

Nolan Young, a SHU senior, plays the handsome, golden child student Jason and does well. The multi-talented SHU senior David Irizarry (pictured above) takes on the role of the introspective and gay Peter with a fine singing voice.

Jhalissa Gibson (at left above) gets to deliver some of the best lines in the role of Sr. Chanelle, a wise and no-nonsense nun of color that has been charged with directing the school’s production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Gibson nails the comedy and enlightened support of the nun that she plays.
Victoria Cutalo accepts the challenge of the female student Ivy, a pretty, popular and insecure 17-year-old student who is cast in the role of Juliet in the school play.

SHU senior Camryn Trant steals all of her scenes in the role of Nadia, the curvy twin sister of Jason who also is a student at the school. The fact that this is Trant’s first show at SHU is almost hard to believe as she sings “A Quiet Night at Home” and “Spring.”

Anthony Mineo, a junior, plays the studious and pious Matt, Jason’s academic rival, and freshman Creflo Botweh plays the student Lucas, described as “the school’s fun-loving purveyor of altered reality.”

Morgan Carter, a junior at SHU, plays Lucas’ girlfriend Tanya. SHU senior Diana Martucci, who was amazing in “Peter and the Starcatcher,” plays the sexy Kyra. Harper Minalga, a sophomore, plays the naive Diane.

Amelia Saladino appears as the sarcastic Rory and Ryan Romero plays the role of jock-type Zack. Will Heidelberger V plays the part of nerdy Alan and Bethany Gibson appears as Peter’s mother Claire (“Warning.”)

Andrew Gunneson takes on the role of the pious priest assigned to the school as the headmaster.

The small band, including Tom Morris on keyboard, John Hoddinott on guitar 1 and 2 (with Clio Janis subbing at the Halloween performance) and Allegra Pin on drums, make this mix of pop, rock, and heartfelt anthems sound great, despite the fact that the three musicians were squeezed into the tiny space behind the triptych of long screens for the projections (by Lainey Palmer) that set the scenes. It seemed as if the loud techno club music was prerecorded.

Lighting design by Noah Devanney and Courtney Weir has some poignant elements and sound design by Bella Generazo functioned well.

I was in Heaven with the contemporary music choices that were played before the show and during intermission, including Marty Haugen’s “Be With Me Lord,” “Canticle of the Sun,” and “All Are Welcome,” and Bernadette Farrell’s “Christ, Be Out Light.”

The 2025/2026 season continues with “Bus Stop,” runs from November 6 - 9. Tickets are available online at edgertoncenter.org, at the Edgerton Center Box Office in person Monday to Friday, 12-4, or on the phone at (203) 371-7908

Nancy Sasso (Henry) Janis holds a BA ‘81 and an MAT ‘89 from Sacred Heart University and is very proud of the work being done by the talented students in the performing arts department at her alma mater.