Bare
Margaret Daisy Rose: There have been so many productions, but a new production of Bare in the Encores! Off-Center series would be so totally amazing! With all of the different versions of the show since it first began performances, it truly captures the heart of live theater in that it is always changing.
Campbell Bovaird: BARE. BARE. A HUNDRED TIMES BARE.
Bare, the coming-of-age story about a group of high school seniors at a co-ed Catholic boarding, was first performed in Los Angeles in 2000. The pop opera by Damon Intrabartolo and Jon Hartmere's has rock music at its core, and explores the adolescents' exploration of love, religion and sexuality. The show went on to be produced Off-Broadway and worldwide, including a revised version at New World Stages in New York City last year. The various casts will reunite at 54 Below this fall in memory and celebration of late composer Intrabartolo.
A Man of No Importance
Jonathan Rush: A Man Of No Importance, Bernada Alba and Floyd Collins are Off-Broadway classics that deserve another shot at the spotlight!
Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' A Man of No Importance, which opened Off-Broadway in 2002, is based on the 1994 Albert Finney film, about an amateur theatre group in Dublin, Ireland and their leader, Alfie Byrne, a bus driver who recites poetry to his passengers. Alfie is also determined to stage Oscar Wilde’s Salome despite the objections of church authorities. The musical premiered at Lincoln Center with a cast that featured Roger Rees, Faith Prince and Steven Pasquale, winning the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway musical.
Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical
Wilson Alexander Aguilar: Encores! Off-Center series would be a great way to bring back and present Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical and 1985's Great Goblin.
Debbie Does Dallas, the musical parody of the 1978 pornographic film of the same name opened Off-Broadway in 2002 starring Sherie Rene Scott in the title role. The coming-of-age story follows all-American small-town sweetheart Debbie, the captain of her cheerleading team who dreams of making it big by becoming a Texas Cowgirl Cheerleader. The show was conceived by Susan L. Schwartz, adapted by Erica Schmidt and featured music by Andrew Sherman with additional music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Jonathan Callicutt. A New York City revival engagement was seen in 2014 at Teatro Circulo.
Reefer Madness
Tim Stuff: Reefer Madness
Long considered a cult classic, Reefer Madness features a book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and book and music by Dan Studneywas. The laugh-out-loud musical comedy was inspired by the 1936 film of the same name and offers a tongue-in-cheek look at the fallout of a group of clean-cut kids who fall prey to marijuana. The show follows their downward spiral filled with music, sex, drugs and violence. In 2005, Showtime released a movie musical adaptation starring Kirsten Bell, Alan Cumming, Neve Campbell and original cast members from the stage version Christian Campbell, Amy Spanger, John Kassir, Harry S. Murphy and Robert Torti.
Brownstone
Richard Stoops: Brownstone
Brownstone, which was created by Andrew Cadiff, Josh Rubins and Peter Larson, opened at Off-Broadway's Union Square Theatre on Oct. 8, 1986, where it played 69 performances before closing Dec. 6, 1986. Directed by Cadiff with musical staging by Don Bondi, the original cast featured Liz Callaway, Kimberly Farr, Ben Harney, Ernestine Jackson and Rex Smith.
Esther Bonacci: Bat Boy
Patrick J. Clement: Bat Boy with Jeremy Jordan as Bat Boy
Al Pratt: Batboy!!! Please Batboy!!! I want to see that live!!!
Bat Boy, the musical based on the 1992 Weekly World News cover story about a bat child who grew up living in a cave, premiered on Halloween in 1997 and played Off-Broadway in 2001. Deven May starred in the title role with Kerry Butler as Shelley Parker. Lyricist Laurence O’Keefe and book writers Brian Flemming and Keythe Farley were recently reviewing the material for a revised production at Harvard 's A.R.T with dreams of a Broadway revival; read the interview with Playbill.com.
Heathers the Musical
Michael Motkowski: Heathers The Musical
Based on the cult teen comedy 1988 film “Heathers” starring Wynona Ryder, Heathers the Musical was a fan favorite when it played Off-Broadway in 2014. The show tells the story of brainy and beautiful teenage misfit Veronica Sawyer and her dangerous liaison with lethal new kid J.D. When Veronica is kicked out of the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High, the Heathers, J.D. helps her conceive the ultimate deadly revenge plan. The show was adapted into a hilarious and heartfelt musical by the award-winning creative team of Kevin Murphy, Laurence O’Keefe and Andy Fickman. In the end, Veronica must use her wit and strength to outsmart the violent J.D. and the manipulative teenagers who conspire against her, ultimately coming out on top.
