Musical "bare" makes Seattle debut

"Rent" crossed with "Dead Poets Society," set in a Catholic high school? OK — you got our attention with that general description of "bare," an original pop opera about adolescent love, homosexuality, identity and, naturally, guilt — all within the confines of a parochial, coed boarding school.

With a book and score by collaborators Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo, "bare" has been seen Off Broadway and in Los Angeles (where it collected several drama prizes), and the score is out on CD.

The show's Seattle premiere at ArtsWest features age-appropriate (ages 17 to 20) performers from the company's summer apprenticeship program. It opens Thursday and runs Thursdays-Saturdays through July 26 at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., Seattle; $10-$15 (206-938-0339 or www.artswest.org).

Misha Berson, Seattle Times theater critic