Who Else Wants More Skin Onstage?

A strong contender for “Best Headline. Ever.” Joe Patti published a post on 12/7/2009 entitled You Must Be This Naked To Be Appealing. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I jumped right into the article and was pleased to see there was more there than just a great teaser. In particular, Joe wondered if the results from a recent study that found women should bare 40% of their bodies in order attract a mate had any bearing on performing arts (pun intended)…

All research aside, showing more skin has been a hot topic throughout the opera field. I remember the minor stir here in Chicago last season with Chicago Opera Theater’s (COT) production of don Giovanni. Ever the shutterbug, COT General Director and Inside The Arts blogger, Brian Dickie posted a variety of photos from production rehearsals at his photo site which give you a completely accurate idea of what the performance looked like.  Having enjoyed the performance in person and even a glimpse or two (or twelve) backstage, I can firmly say that the skin to clothing ratio was well suited to the production.

Sadly, the orchestra field has a long, long, long way to go before it has to worry about crossing a line between prudish and lewd. In fact, I can’t think of an orchestra concert that came close to the 40% unclothed ratio suggested in the University of Leeds study.

Can you think of any?