Musical Theatre Southwest production delves into the struggles of sexuality, religion and high school

“Everything’s an act when you’re pleasing everyone.”

So sings Peter in “Bare,” the story of two boys at a Catholic boarding school who are secretly in love with each other and going through the ups and downs of adolescent life.

“There are two gay boys who have fallen in love with each other within the struggles of the institution of religion, the institution of high school,” Mark Pino, the director, said. “And then, of course, like society struggles (and) familial struggles.”

“Bare” will open at Musical Theatre Southwest, on Friday, Aug. 8, and run through Aug. 31. The show is in partnership with the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus.

Pino fell in love with the show when he saw it off-Broadway in the 2000s.

“There was so much that I was kind of triggered by, so much that I related to, so much that just stayed with me in all of these years,” Pino said. “The music, the story, the characters, also haunted me all this time.”

Pino has wanted to direct the production since then, and said he has found an “absolutely phenomenal” cast.

“It’s been a dream come true,” Pino said. “It’s better than I would have anticipated, better than expected.”

Pino said the show has a way of staying with people, even those who acted in the show during its original debut.

“My best friend reached out to a couple of them as a surprise (and) told them I was directing the show, told them how much it meant,” Pino said. “Two of the main actors that were the main characters in that play, sent me these beautiful videos for good luck and how beautiful it is we’re doing the show, and how much the show impacted them doing it.”

Pino hopes its themes will resonate with the community.

“It’s very relevant, especially in a state like New Mexico, where there’s a high volume of Catholic people, also, people of Hispanic backgrounds,” Pino said. “Historically, religious and ethnic backgrounds have been less progressive towards LGBTQ+ issues. So I think that it still really will have a powerful impact, not just now, but here.”

He said he wants the show to spark conversations between families and more.

“I’m hoping that if Catholic parents of students who may or may not be struggling with their sexual identity come to see this show, hopefully, it opens some minds,” Pino said. “Hopefully it starts conversations where these families, these parents, these children, can talk about how the show impacts them. How it made them see something in a different light.”

Pino drew on his Catholic upbringing to represent the religious community in the play.

“Also growing up Catholic, being an altar boy, really making sure that I still sort of honor the Catholic religion and people who are Catholic still and believe that,” Pino said. “We haven’t done anything in this show that sort of demonizes the Catholic religion. We let the story speak for itself.”

The story goes beyond LGBTQ+ issues, Pino said, and includes topics such as bullying.

The show is not appropriate for young children, Pino said, and audiences should be prepared for a bit of heartbreak.

“It’s beautiful, and it will, definitely, break audiences’ hearts open, because it is pretty sad,” Pino said. “I don’t want to give away the ending too much, but definitely bring some tissues.”

Musical Theatre Southwest production delves into the struggles of sexuality, religion and high school