40 Years of Hair
Friday, September 21, 2007
The controversial musical "Hair" debuted at the Public Theater 40 years ago. Now, it's being revived in a new production in Central Park. We'll speak with one of the musical's creators, James Rado, and with theater historian Elizabeth Wollman about its storied history and its resonance today.
More about Hair
More about Hair
Comments [6]
I saw the original and was blown away for all the reasons. However, about six years ago a group of kids did it on W. 4th in a tiny house and I couldn't believe how great they were. They got it. They did it. HAIR is amazing.
I saw two great performances last year in small venues, which featured most of the ORIGINAL cast and band members.
One show included extremely talented students from Wagner College in Staten Island as guest performers. The entire night was electric!! Young and old enjoyed and appreciated the events and the vibes were wonderful!!
I think Hair is dated, but not dated enough to be appreciated, such as is The Sound of Music. The music is still too close to today's music, such as mentioned with Rent, so we feel sort of weird when we hear it, like it's dated, but not...like one might appreciate Jefferson Airplane music, but recognize it as late sixties music and sort of dated.
"Hair" is not only relevant, but has an important message to send teenagers today. Break out, celebrate life, experiment, face each other, play; get off your computers and into the streets and say your piece out loud, make a difference and change the world. (How ironic that I have to send this as an email message!)
Does this musical really speak for that generation? If the hippies were so influential then why are we in Iraq with Bush as president now that their generation is running the country?
I was involved in a production (sans nude scene) in college in the early 80s and performed the less wellknown song "Dead End."
It was a life-changing experience!
Will "Dead End" be performed this weekend?
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