Most students at Catholic high schools are familiar with Jesus' fundamental commandment in Matthew 22:39 to "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Although the Catholic students portrayed in Bare: A Pop Opera struggle with that kind of love, the play may approach the concept in a slightly different way than the Catholic Church may have intended.

Producer Brenden Rogers (senior-theatre) said the 2000 musical, written by John Hartmere, Jr. and Dan Damon Intrabartolo, chronicles the lives of roommates at the Catholic boarding school St. Cecilia's during the second half of their senior year.

Although it deals with issues like religion, drugs, alcohol and sex, Rogers said the universality of love is the most important message in the musical, which shows at 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 5:05 p.m. Wednesday at the Pavilion Theatre.

The action centers on two characters, Peter and Jason, who cultivate a secret relationship while sharing a dormitory during the waning days of high school.

Because his love is contrary to the Church's teachings, Peter, played by George Heigel (junior-actuarial science), struggles with his relationship with Jason, played by Matt Moore (freshman-musical theatre).

Rogers said the show tries to illustrate that love shouldn't be restricted.

"There shouldn't be any guidelines to who or what or how you love," he said.

Heigel said his character in the musical still wants to follow his Catholic upbringing even though he's in a gay relationship. The conflicting desires make Peter question his identity.

"It's about wanting people to accept you, but not accepting yourself," he said.

Bare, the production's title, comes from the emotional openness the characters develop, Rogers said.

"The title comes from these characters baring everything," he said. "They have to find out how much they're capable of."

Rogers said he has known about the show for two years. Once the rights became available earlier this year, he decided to propose the production to the Pavilion Projects committee. The faculty committee chooses productions for the limited amount of time the Pavilion Theatre is available each year.

Rogers said he choose Lizz Collins (senior-theatre) to direct Bare because of her work with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Student Resource Center. The two have known each other since they were freshmen.

"Lizz is exceptionally talented," Rogers said. "I've seen a lot of her work and she's actually one of my best friends."

Collins said even before Rogers asked her to direct the musical, she was drawn to the many different messages within the show.

Rogers said issues such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse and body loathing are addressed in the musical, as well as the sexual identity conflicts Peter and Jason face.

"There's a point in the show that everyone can relate to and everyone can see themselves in," he said. "That's what makes it so incredible."

Alyssa Farrell (junior-theatre), who plays the stereotypical popular girl, Ivy, said she is glad to be working with Rogers and Collins, who have shared their passion for the musical with the cast.

"It's obvious that they both have a love for the show," she said. "When you have a director and a producer who are really passionate about something, it makes it easier to perform and it makes you care a lot more."

Farrell's character falls in love with Jason, who she said is "the perfect boy." Jason gives in to her persistent advances, partly in an effort to subdue his feelings for Peter.

During the play, Jason talks to another character who subdued his homosexuality, an unnamed priest who chose the way of the cloth instead of a similar relationship.

The priest, played by Ryan Howell (sophomore-theatre), doesn't agree with the Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality but misguides Peter and Jason into making some drastic decisions.

Rogers said the audience only needs to bring the right mindset to the theatre to enjoy the hard work the students have put into Bare, because no admission will be charged.

"Just let go of everything for a night," he said. "And come enjoy the gift these actors have given to you for free."