Hyped up on HAIR

March 10, 2009

I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy, snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty, oily, greasy, fleecy, shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen, knotted, polka-dotted, twisted, beaded, braided, powdered, flowered, and confettied, bangled, tangled, spangled, and spaghettied!

 

Last night I took to Broadway (with my hair down and blowing in the wind — er, rain — of course) to see HAIR, which opened in previews last week. This psychedelic show, set in the 1968 Vietnam era, has it all — laughter, drama, spectacular singing and a supremely talented ensemble cast. I’ve officially added HAIR to my “favorite musicals” list.

 

If you’re lucky enough to have nabbed tickets, get to the theater early. One of the cast members spends the 20 minutes leading up to showtime contorting himself onstage (think headstands, tripods and pretzel-like body positions). It’s impressive, to say the least. Plan to also stay late, as the show wraps with a full-on dance party you won’t be able to resist. Don’t be shy — you’re encouraged to join the cast onstage for this part. In between the contorting and the partying, there’s plenty of audience interaction (aisle sitters beware!). There are 40 fast and furious songs crammed into the show, including the opening “Aquarius” and the finale number, “Let the Sun Shine In.” My inner hippie came out while watching the triple threat-filled cast sing about burning their draft cards and protesting the war in Vietnam. At the end of the night, I got to go backstage where the cast members were blotting their post-dance party sweat and getting ready for the stage door meet and greet with the super-eager fans. I even got to touch some of the props they used in the show (Shh, don’t tell anyone — I wasn’t supposed to!). 

 

I don’t want to give away too much (We’ve got the full scoop on HAIR — and one if its dancers — in the July/August issue of DS), but I will tell you that this show is definitely one worth seeing this year. A disclaimer for our younger readers: Check with your parents before heading to see HAIR. The subject matter isn’t for the faint of heart and there’s some nudity at the end of the first act. Scandalous!