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Bare: A Pop Opera

Music by Damon Intrabartolo.
Book and Lyrics by Jon Hartmere.

A contemporary rock musical about identity, sexuality, and religion.

July 2 – August 3, 2014

A group of teens in a Catholic boarding school wrestle with big questions about who they love, who they are, and who they answer to. As these young people take the leap from adolescence to adulthood, despite the fear of what’s on the other side, they must learn to look for the answers within themselves.

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CHRIS BONA (Zack) Is excited to be making his Diversionary Theatre debut in the role of Zach with an amazing show like Bare: A Pop Opera. A Temecula native, Chris is also a graduate of AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts Los Angeles with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Past Credits include Mulan at Tuacahn Center for the Arts (Qian-Po), The Wild Party at Performance Riverside (Mr. Black), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The Welk (Protean), and recently Guys and Dolls at The Avo Playhouse (Nicely-Nicely Johnson). Thank you to Noah for emailing me back about this wonderful opportunity. To my family, all my AMDA friends, The Seery’s and Michael for all their love and support!

MITCHELL CONNELLY (Matt) is proud to be making his professional debut with Diversionary Theatre and the cast of bare. He is a recent graduate of Coronado School of the Arts and will attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts to earn his BFA in Acting this fall. Previous credits include Legally Blonde (Emmett); Into the Woods (Baker); Singing in the Rain (Cosmo Brown); Wedding Singer (George); Grapes of Wrath (Jim Casy); Spelling Bee (Chip); as well as Pirates of Penzance; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Spring Awakening; Ragtime; Hairspray; Good Man Charlie Brown; and Godspell. Mitch spent the past 2 summers studying with the Old Globe Shakespeare Intensive where he played Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

CHARLIE GANGE (Jason) is absolutely thrilled and humbled to to be part of such an amazing team of dedicated and courageous artists and to work on such a powerful piece of theater. Charlie’s credits include “Gabe” in Next to Normal, “Warner” in Legally Blonde, “Anthony” in Sweeney Todd, “Tommy” in The Who’s Tommy, and “Melchior” in the West Coast Premier of Spring Awakening. A Native San Diegan, Charlie graduated from Torrey Pines High School in 2011 and went off to the University of Oregon for 2 years until transferring down to San Diego State University where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Music Entrepreneurship & Business and has been a member of the SDSU Chamber Choir, Aztec Concert Choir, and the Opera. A composer, Charlie works on and performs original music regularly in Rock bands, solo, various ensembles, and electronically as well. Charlie would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support of his passions.

SAMANTHA WYNN GREENSTONE I (Rory) is delighted to be back on the Diversionary stage! She was last seen here in Musical Madlibs. Samantha is in The Second City Conservatory and studies improv/sketch comedy at The Groundlings School. San Diego credits: Five Course Love (Scripps Ranch Theatre), Community Voices (The Old Globe), Pinkalicious the Musical (North Coast Rep), Derbywise (Circle Circle dot dot), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (OnStage Playhouse, Aubrey Award – 2013 Best Major Support Actress in a Musical), Spring Awakening (American Rose), Dog Sees God (Breakthrough Workshop), and Dear Harvey (San Diego Fringe Festival). Elsewhere: Legally Blonde (Palm Canyon Theatre) and Halloween Horror Nights (Universal Studios, Hollywood – 2012, 2013). Samantha would like to extend endless thanks to Noah, Tony, and Michael for their guidance and support. This one is for my beautiful Mom, Dad, Adam, and Joey. And for the LGBT community. I stand with you always.

NADIA GUEVARA (Tanya) is very happy to make her Diversionary debut. Credits: Passion (ion theatre), The Winter’s Tale (The Old Globe), The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse/Moving Arts), RENT as Mimi (Flat Seven Productions), Spring Awakening as Wendla (American Rose Theatre), Claudia Meets Fulano Colorado (Carlsbad Playreaders), Miss Saigon (Moonlight Stage Productions), Summer and Smoke (New Village Arts). Nadia will be back at New Village Arts this fall in The Clean House.

RAE K. HENDERSON (Claire) Diversionary debut. Other San Diego Credits include Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense and Jo in Swingtime Canteen (Moonlight), Marge in Suds (NVA), Gladys in Pajama Game (Starlight), and two years of La Jolla Playhouse’s Pop Tour (Frida Libre and Recipe for Disaster). She works as the musical director and a performer at Legoland. She and her wife Sarah live in Vista. This one’s for Grandpa Jack, who’s seen every show I’ve ever been in my entire life.

MARTIN ORTIZ (Lucas) is thrilled to be making his debut at Diversionary Theatre. Martin is currently a senior at El Camino High School, and is incredibly grateful to be working with such a talented team. Other favorite credits include: Legally Blonde (Emmett), Avenue Q (Princeton), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom). Martin hopes to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, and will be strengthening his skills as a performer while in New York next year. He would like to thank Noah and the creative team for this amazing opportunity, and his friends, mentors, and family for supporting his passion.

GABI LEIBOWITZ (Diane) has performed locally with Lyric Opera San Diego (The Fiddler on the Roof), The Old Globe (How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ’11, ’12 ’13), San Diego Junior Theatre, J*Company Youth Theatre and Actors’ Conservatory Theatre. Gabi is also a seasonal performer at LEGOLAND California and has a featured role in an independent film scheduled for release at the end of 2014. She is honored to be a part of the bare cast.

DYLAN MULVANEY (Peter) is extremely excited to be playing the “Role Of A Lifetime”, as well as making his debut at Diversionary. Elsewhere:Spring Awakening (Cygnet Theatre Company), How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (The Old Globe), 8: The Play(Birch North Park Theatre), Next to Normal (Arts Off Broadway), Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie, High School Musical (ACT San Diego). Film: Wake Up, Samantha Evans. Winner of The 2011 Hollywood’s Best New Talent in the Broadway category, and the National Youth Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor (Ernst-ACT San Diego). Special thanks to Noah and the creative team, Roy, God, and his family and friends. Find him on twitter: @dylanmulvaney

KIANI NELSON (Sister Chantelle) is so excited to be making her Diversonary debut with such an amazing cast in her favorite show! Her recent stage credits include “The Snail” in A Year with Frog and Toad and “Sebastian” in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Though a San Diego native, Kiani now resides in New Jersey where she just finished her freshman year at Montclair State University as a BFA Musical Theatre major. Kiani would like to thank Noah and the Diversionary team for giving her this wonderful opportunity and her family and friends for all of their love and support.

CHARLES W. PATMON, JR. (Priest) is elated to be working with Diversionary Theatre once again. He received his BA in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University, graduating Cum Laude, with triple concentrations in acting, directing, and arts administration. He also holds a Master’s in Education from Ashford University. Currently he serves as the Executive Artistic Director for Common Ground Theatre, San Diego’s Oldest African American Theatre Company, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary. He has appeared in many onstage productions across the country, such as; Christmas Is Comin Uptown, Tartuffe, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Gospel of Colonus, Dreamgirls, Blues Bar with Phyllis Hyman, Antigone, The Merchant of Venice, Between Two Thieves, Heart of Dixie, Little Shop Of Horrors, along with many others. He has also guest starred on the hit CBS series “In the Heat of the Night.” He counts it a privilege and honor to be working with Anthony Houck, Music Director and Director Noah Longton. Special thanks to Shawn for all your love and support, I love you.

CHRISTOPHER RUETTEN (Alan) is so thankful to be a part of his first production at Diversionary. He is a recent graduate of San Pasqual High School in Escondido and will be studying Acting and Musical Theatre at Northwestern University in the fall. His favorite roles include Georg in Spring Awakening (Cygnet Theatre) and Peter Pan in Peter Pan (Encore Youth Theatre/Moonlight). He would like to thank Noah and all of Diversionary for this wonderful opportunity! Chris is a proud Equity Membership Candidate and NHSI Theatre Cherub. @chrisruetten

KATIE SAPPER (Ivy) is thrilled to be a part of the bare: A Pop Opera team and to work at the Diversionary for the first time! She just graduated with a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Saint Mary’s University of MN. Favorite shows there include Hope (URINETOWN), Percy Talbott (SPITFIRE GRILL), Pegeen Mike (PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD dir. Patrick Sutton), and originating the role of Thelma Kent (LIGHTNING BUG). She would like to thank her family, her friends, and this brilliant cast and crew for an incredible experience.

ALEXANDRA SLADE (Kyra/Assistant Choreographer) is thrilled to perform on the Diversionary Theatre stage for the first time in such a moving and emotional show. Some of her favorite roles include Lil Inez in Hairspray, Beatrice in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, and Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She recently acted as assistant choreography for Courtney Corey’s original production of The Jungle Book at The Theatre Arts School of San Diego. She would like to thank her family for their love and support, and the artistic team for allowing her to be a part of such an amazing cast and show.”

SAMANTHA VESCO (Nadia) is very excited to be apart of this production of, bare: A Pop Opera. RECENT: Chiffon LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (CYC), Madame Thenardier LES MISERABLES (CYC), Diana Goodman NEXT TO NORMAL (VMTC), Tanya Gleason PUNK ROCK (ion theatre).

JON HARTMERE (Book & Lyrics) has written screenplays and teleplays for Disney, East of Doheny Productions, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Nickelodeon and Sesame Street Productions. He was also a field agent on Cycle 5 of MTV’s PUNK’D.

DAMON INTRABARTOLO (Book & Music) received the 2001 Ovation Award, Back Stage Garland Award, L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award & L.A. Weekly Award for bare (Best Original Score & Best Musical). Other theater work includes Ann E. Wrecksick & the Odyssey of the Bulimic Orphans and Plop (World Premiere, Orlando 2013). Damon co-founded God Help! Productions which produced concert readings of the aforementioned shows. Damon is presently arranging the score for Anna Fernwood’s The Marys (dir. Kristin Hanggi). Film orchestration/conducting credits include Dreamgirls, X2, Superman Returns, Fantastic Four, The Savages, In Good Company, Gothika, Halloween H20, the Emmy-nominated Fantasy Island (1999) and The Usual Suspects. Damon is a proud alumnus of the USC Trojan Marching Band where he played mellophone.

NOAH LONGTON (Director) received a BA in Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado where he directed The Little Dog Laughed and had the privilege of working with amazing directors on such projects as Crumbs from the Table of Joy and Falsettos. Most recently he produced and directed the award winning musical, Altar Boyz; Acting credits: When Last We Flew, Making Porn, Edward II, Dooley, Heddatron, Sextet, and The New Century (Diversionary)

TONY HOUCK (Music Director) is glorified to be music directing this show. He last music directed Thrill Me. A favorite show he music directed was Marry Me A Little. He last performed in Miss Gulch Returns! as part of the Diversionary Cabaret. Some of his favorite shows he has done at Diversionary have been [title of show];Twist; Next Fall; Miss Kitty’s Wild West Revue; Scrooge in Rouge (2008 Craig Noel Award and director 2012 and 2013); YANK!; Harmony, Kansas; and Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins. He also enjoyed playing Helga in Cygnet’s Cabaret. He is a graduate of AMDA. Many thanks to all of my friends for their continual support.

MICHAEL MIZERANY (Choreography) has choreographed extensively including “Altar Boyz,” “Dooley,” “Divine Sister,” “Miss Kitty’s Wild West Revue,” “Scrooge In Rouge” and “Thrill Me” (Diversionary Theatre), “Chicago: A Speakeasy Cabaret,” “Grey Gardens” and “A Midsummer Night’s Fever” (Ion Theatre), “Carnvial!” and “Suds” (The Coronado Playhouse) and “Spring Awakening” (Cygnet Theatre). Michael has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the LA Stage Scene “Scenie” Award for Outstanding Choreography for “Altar Boyz,” the Bravo San Diego Award for Outstanding Choreographer of 2012 and The Blue Ribbon Award for “Suds.” Upcoming projects include “The Full Monty” (New Village Arts) and directing the dance concert “Sweat” for San Diego Dance Theatre.

REBECCA NOLAND (Assistant Director) has a BA in Theater from the University of Northern Colorado and is happy to be working at Noah’s side again after 2012’s Altar Boyz. Favorite credits include directing “Sailor’s Song” and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” acting as Jane in “Pride and Prejudice” and Olive in “The Odd Couple, Female Version”. She is grateful for this opportunity and to her support system at home for making it possible.

MARK S. BUTTERFUSS (Stage Manager) is excited to be part of this thought provoking production and cannot thank Noah enough for bringing him along for the ride and the experience. Other credits include “Beauty and the Beast” (Director), “Doubt” (Father Flynn), “Sweeney Tood” (director, Priest) to name a few. Prior to moving to San Diego, Mark was involved with theatre in Northern Michigan, up and down the East Coast, and with several national touring companies, where he has performed every role imaginable from being an artistic director to stage manager to ticket taker.

MICHAEL VON HOFFMAN (Scenic Design) has been designing in the San Diego and LA Area for the last 10 years. He is currently prepping to go on tour as a Lighting Designer with Debbie Allen and her production of “Brothers of The Night”. Michael has recognition for his work theatrically on local productions of “Les Miserables” “Rent” “Secret Garden” and “Altar Boyz”. Michael designs and handles production elements for Unity Dance Ensemble and Culture Shock San Diego. He also works closely with several local high schools and college dance and theater programs.

ASHLEY VON HOFFMAN (Scenic Artist) has been working in theater since she was in High School. In the last few years she has worked on multiple productions. While her work in theater started as a stage manager she currently works more as a hair and make up artist. She received recognition for her creation of the wigs and makeup design for the Unity Dance Ensemble Production of “The Deadly VII” and the Culture Shock San Diego Production of “A Culture Shock Nutcracker”. Ashley also maintains her own successful hair salon, Salon Von Hoffman.

PATTY FAY (Prop Design) has been a technician, performer and choreographer for over 50 years. She recently was the property mistress for the “Final Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” at CPH. She was the property mistress for “SUDS” at CPH and was in the ensemble in “Carnival” at CPH. She has been in many award-winning ensembles and choreographed “Big Daddy”, and “Master Harold and the Boys” at CAT. She teaches ballet, tap, jazz and yoga. She was inducted into the Haunted Hotel Hall of Fame after 17 years of service. She would like to thank Barron, Noah and Anthony for giving me this opportunity.

PETER HERMAN (Costume Design) has designed costumes at Diversionary for “The Rocky Horror Show” and “Cyberqueer”; wigs for over 30 shows at Diversionary, highlights include “Irma Vep”, “When Pigs Fly”, “Scrooge in Rouge”, “The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler”, and recently “She-Rantullas From Outer Space”. Credits at Cygnet Theatre, and North Coast Rep; known as the “Wig God of San Diego.” Peter currently teaches wig and makeup design at San Diego State University.

LUKE OLSON (Lighting Design) previously at Diversionary: Boys & Girls, Marry Me A Little, Sherantulas From Outer Space – in 3D!, The Divine Sister, Scrooge In Rouge, when last we flew, Pippin, Hot Guys Dancing, Dance/Theatre. Other credits: The Fox On The Fairway, Stones in His Pockets (Summer Repertory Theatre;) References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, The Bluest Eye, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, A Raisin In The Sun, See How They Run (MOXIE Theatre); Crimes Of The Heart, Little Shop of Horrors, The Fox On The Fairway (PLNU.) Blood Wedding, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (Mira Costa College); MFA from San Diego State University

KEVIN ANTHENILL (Sound Design) Composer/Sound Designer credits: Sherantulas From Outer Space, The Further Adventures Of Hedda Gabbler, Birds of a Feather, Edward II, Next Fall, Harmony Kansas, Pippin, and Marry Me a Little (Diversionary); Resident Sound Designer at the San Diego Repertory Theatre: Zoot Suit and Red, Composer for Boom, In The Next Room, and Detroit. Other sound design credits: Cygnet Theatre’s Gem of the Ocean, Shakespeare’s R&J, The Importance of being Earnest, Travesties, and Maple And Vine, USD/Old Globe’s Much Ado About Nothing, A Measure for Measure, Winters Tale, Twelfth night, and Fathers and Sons, Moxie Theatre’s A Raisin in the Sun, and The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek; Sound Design Assistant at The Old Globe’s Summer Shakespeare Festival three times; BA in Theater Design from San Diego State University.

JOSE GONZALEZ (Sound Design Associate) is a 2014 graduate of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, where he received intensive technical theatre training for the past four years. He was recently the soundboard operator for SCPA’s award-winning musical The Hot Mikado, and has been a part of the SCPA crew for three other shows. He is looking forward to broadening his skills.

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San Diego Union Tribune

‘Bare’ taking Diversionary stage
As musical opens, theater’s leaders also talk about candidate search

By James Hebert
July 2, 2014

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Rage Monthly

Play on LGBT Youth Gets to the ‘BARE’ Bones

by Lisa Lipsey
July 4, 2014

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San Diego Pride

Arts and Culture

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Student Educator

Diversionary loves to make our productions into a learning experience!  Contact us for special prices to bring your class to any performance or special Student Matinees.  Student tickets available with a valid, school issued student or educator ID.  Find out more here!

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