Hair returns to Broadway at the Al Hirschfield Theater

After a successful run at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater, the musical Hair was revived for Broadway at the Al Hirschfield Theater this past March. Most of the cast from the Delacorte Theater run are now cast members in the Broadway production.

Hair, written by James Rado and Gerome Ragni also features music by Galt MacDermot. Originally debuting on Broadway in April 1968, Hair also had many successful national tours as well. It has been performed in countries such as Germany, Australia and Japan. The musical was also made into a movie in 1979. This year, it won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Set in New York City during the Vietnam War, a group of young hippies, or “tribe” members, are protesting against the war. While they are all against the war, one of the tribe members Claude (Gavin Creel) is the only one who is uncertain about what to do when faced with being drafted for the war.

Claude must make the decision of what he wants to do with this life, whether it is to remain a tribe member or join the army fighting in the war. Claude’s father doesn’t understand why his son is a hippie and thinks he should go off and fight. His close friend Berger (Will Swenson) and the rest of the male tribe members burn their draft cards as their way of protesting the war.

Sheila (Caissie Levy) is a tribe member who is a very passionate political activist and just wants Berger to pay more attention to her and love her, while Berger is off in his own world after getting kicked out of school. Then there is Woof (Bryce Ryness), who is just infatuated with Mick Jagger.

When the tribe members decide to have a good time and smoke, Claude begins to hallucinate.

In his stage of hallucination Claude dreams that he is being dropped off in Vietnam with Indians attacking him and George Washington and Abraham Lincoln making an appearance.

When Claude comes back from his hallucination and his friends are aware of what is going on, they wonder where he went. The audience then finds out that Claude joined the army and is no longer part of the tribe.

Set during the Vietnam War, Hair shows the audience what life was like for those opposed to the war. With the war, young people became more politically active than ever before. It takes place at a period in time when younger generations began to stand up for what they believed in instead of doing what they were told.

The musical also shows what young people did back then in their free time — one of these things being drugs. The show does depict drug use and the effects of it.

Hair is different in the way it is presented because it breaks the fourth wall. Not only does the cast come into the actual audience but they interact with them as well,such as in the beginning when Berger goes down into the audience and talks to them directly.

He not only gives audience members hugs and kisses, but asks them for money as well. If you are sitting in the first couple of rows or an aisle seat be prepared to be a part of the show.

The cast of Hair is filled with talented performers who have been in some of Broadway’s most popular productions. Swenson has previously acted in 110 in the Shade, Brooklyn and was originally Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages, but left the role to star in Hair.

Creel has previously been in the West End production of Mary Poppins and the Broadway production of La Cage aux Folles.

Levy was featured in Hairspray and Wicked while Bryce Ryness has been previouslyeen in Legally Blonde.

Director Diane Paulus is not only directing the show on Broadway, but she previously directed the show during its Central Park run.

Not only is the acting excellent but the music is superb as well. It features songs from the original musical such as “Aquarius” and “Let the Sun Shine In.”

The band that plays on stage during the show plays instruments such as the guitar, drums, trumpets and trombones which all help keep the music interesting and upbeat.

Hair is not only a good musical, but it is also a good look into the past. It reflects on a time in our country when young people took risks and were not afraid to stand up to authority.

The money you pay for the two hour and 25 minute show is well worth it. The best part is saved for last, however, when the cast invites you up on stage to dance with them to a reprise of “Let the Sun Shine In.”