From Mahler to Bare

It has been a crazy few weeks pretty much jam packed with concerts of one kind or another (from a broadway review, to The Lord of the Rings, to Barber/Mahler, and even a cappella) and beginning rehearsals for Bare.  The St. Louis Symphony performed Mahler's Resurrection symphony (No. 2) this last weekend, preceded by a work by Barber.  These were incredible pieces that I was lucky enough to have the privilege to sing.  The power of the music literally sent chills throughout my body.  These performances were also emotionally charged as they were a fitting tribute to our late Chorus Manager, Richard Ashburner.  Mahler's ability to merge the interplay of life and death, while going from a death march, to some more playful melodies, and then send the listener off to the heavens with the such a  powerful ending is something that I could only dream of being able to do.

Now we transition to the musical opposite with Bare! The vast variety of music that exists is enough to astound, but to simply have the ability and the opportunity to perform multiple styles is something I love!  It's so exciting to be able to work on a musical again.  While the music is definitely not as challenging, it is so much fun and the ability to develop characters and tell a story is really wonderful.  I can't wait to finish up learning the music so we can get to the telling of the story.  This is my very first experience with New Line Theater, and I am loving this cast! It has been almost a year since my last musical, so it is really exciting to be able to meet new people and embark on the wonderful story that is Bare.

I first stumbled upon this musical last summer, and the first time I listened to it, I did nothing else but lay there and listen...and cry.  It is such a powerful and poignant story, and I found a little of myself in each and every one of the characters.  I am playing the part of Alan in this production, who is seemingly the class nerd; Not a part of life I am unfamiliar with ... ha!  I guess being a Biology major and pre-med would do that...  I am so excited to begin to develop the character and see just how nerdy WashU made me!