Hair
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ZOE HALL
Photo by Circe Link
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By Ben Miles
Before Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ, Superstar there was Hair. The history of the rock opera has been relatively short, but it was Hair, in 1968, which laid the template for this still-emerging subgenre of musical theater. Back in the day, Hair played 1,750 Broadway performances and had huge success as a touring production.
Now, the original producer of Hair, Michael Butler,--in collaboration with The Met Theatre in Hollywood--has revitalized this story of flower-power, anti-war protests, and the Hippie-movement. As directed and choreographed by Bo Crowell, with musical direction by Christian Nesmith (son of The Monkees' Michael Nesmith), we are offered a flashback scenario of the swinging, singing, tumultuous 60's. Indeed, with a cast of nearly thirty players, a live four-piece band, and such signature songs as "The Age of Aquarius", "Good Morning Sunshine", and "Easy To Be Hard", Hair quickly grows on audience members (who in the finale orchestration are invited to join the performers onstage in a free-for-all sing-along of "Let the Sunshine In").
The plot of Hair is, as with most musicals, thin: Flower-child Claude receives a draft-notice. Uncle Sam wants him. At a New York City "Be-in," Claude's colorful peers commence to burning their draft cards. Though Claude attempts to incinerate his card, he has a last minute change of heart and removes it from the blaze. His fate is sealed; his military induction, and certain departure to the Viet Nam War, is imminent.
More heart than head, and more spectacle than narrative, Hair, nonetheless, gives us insight into another era in which society is torn to tatters by an unpopular war. The difference between now and then, between that war and our current quagmire in the Middle-East --besides the styles (Dawn Worrall's costumes are period-perfect)--is that now we have no military draft and, therefore, can watch more passively as soldier volunteers and civilian contractors do our nation's dirty work.
As Shelia, Johanna Unger displays impressive vocal chops in her moving solo rendition of "Easy To Be Hard." Lee Ferris' Burger is a rebel with a cause. Ferris, James Barry as Claude, and the entire ensemble give a rousing interpretation of the show's title song, "Hair", a tribute to Claude's "long, beautiful hair."
Hair's book and lyrics are by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. The music is by Galt McDermot. And, while some of the show's songs have made it to the long-lived play-lists of classic rock 'n roll radio stations, the musical itself remains--due to nudity and many references to drugs--off-limits anyone younger than 18 years-old.
Hair continues through November 3.The show runs Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. The Met Theatre is located at 1089 Oxford Avenue, Hollywood, 90029. For reservations dial (323) 960 - 4442. For further information, visit www.hairtix.com
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