The excitement, the elation, shakes the theater at Hair (book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, music by Galt MacDermot) now on Broadway. It has the characteristics of other great musicals: terrific, memorable songs; sympathetic characters and a positive message of hope and joy that can't be resisted.
This cast is great: all good-lookin' terrific singer/actors, and Will Swenson as Berger is (in Act one) the dynamo that drives the production. It's more than a show -- it's an experience. You're part of a ritual, and the message of free sexuality still resonates in our bones.
With powerful lighting by Kevin Adams on Scott Pask's multi-level set with the band suspended on the structure and spectacular retro costumes by Michael McDonald, filled with stirring anthems, this show, mostly sung, is so complex it seems almost impossible to have been done. But director Diane Paulus and choreographer Karole Armitage have created a new Hair for our time, and it's a great, moving, spectacular piece of nostalgia which is, in a way, even more relevant today with it's spirit of youth, rebellion and joyfulness. A great show.
Previews:
March 6, 2009
Opened:
March 31, 2009
Ended:
open run
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, art dir; Andrew D. Hamingson, exec dir), Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goodard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Productions, Inc., Frank Kirmser Productions/ Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/ Wencalar Productions, JK Productions/ Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, Jam Theatricals, The Weinstein Co./Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters by arr w/ Elizabeth I. McCann. Exec Prod: Joey Parnes.
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Al Hirschfeld Theater
Theater Address:
302 West 45th Street
Phone:
212-239-6200
Website:
hairbroadway.com
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Diane Pauls
Choreographer:
Karole Armitage
Review:
Cast:
Gavin Creel (Claude), Sasha Allen, Caissie Levy (Sheila), Megan Lawrence (Mother), Bryce Ryness (Woof), Will Swensen (Berger), Lauren Elder, Allison Guinn, Anthony Hollock, John Moauro, Ato Blackson-Wood, Brandon Pearson, Paris Remillard, Maya Sharpe, Theo Stockman, Tommar Wilson, Jackie Burns, Kaitlin Kiyan, Nicole Lewis, Megan Reinking, Saycon Sengbloh, Steel Burkhardt, Allison Case (Crissy), Andrew Kober, Darius Nichols (Hud), Kacie Sheik (Jeanie).
Technical:
Set: Scott Pask; Costumes: Michael McDonald; Lighting: Kevin Adams; Sound: Acme Sound Partners.
Other Critics:
TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz 4/09 !
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
April 2009
