Theater Review - Hair 3/27/10

Hair


Al Hirschfeld Theatre

302 W. 45th St.

Saturday 3/27/10 – 2:00PM



Hair is an “American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” which originated in 1967. Based in the late 1960’s, this show is about the struggle of a new generation believing in peace and love against their old fashioned elders. There are many smaller stories but the main plot is centered on tribe member Claude and his decision of accepting or dodging the emerging war draft. The rock score boasts many songs later made main stream hits such as “Aquarius” and “Let the Sunshine In”.

My only prior exposure to this show was from basic research and the 2004 Actors Fund Benefit Recording (featuring my love Adam Pascal doing an amazing rendition of “I Got Life”!!!) I had heard nothing but raves about this most recent 2009 revival so it was time to check it out. The theater is the perfect intimate setting for this production which is very audience interactive. We were seated initially in Row D center Mezzanine which are great seats. The mezz was pretty empty so we moved over to the right section to have more room and comfort for the second act.

I was a little put off for the first half of Act I where all the characters were being introduced, but by “I Got Life” I was definitely starting to feel it and loved it from then on. The story was moving with Claude trying to figure out what he should do, the bonding of the tribe, and love issues of Sheila/Berger. I had heard that there was a nude scene at the end of Act 1 but, wow, I didn’t think I would be able to see as much as I did. I was a little disturbed that there were several younger kids with parents (10-12 y/o) who knew about the scene prior, but to each their own I guess. Without ruining the end for anyone all I will say is that it is very moving and powerful. The last image is just intense and moves you to tears. But then brings you right back up with the interactive curtain call/dance party. We didn’t bother running down to the stage like a lot of others and was glad we didn’t, since Claude and Berger had come up to the Mezz to dance with us. Claude grabbed my hand and shimmied which was adorable. During the first song of Act II, one of the tribe’s members climbed over the person sitting in the aisle seat and pretty much sat on me and hugged me. The interactivity of the cast just made the whole experience that much better. I don’t know if I would be in any personal rush to go back unless I was going with a group that just wanted to see a fun (albeit poignant) show but it is definitely something everyone should check out once.

The original cast of this revival had all just left to open up a production in London, but I was quite happy with the new cast. Kyle Riabko is the newest Claude and played the role with such wide eyed hope and innocence. He had a good voice (not excellent but not bad) and is easy on the eyes. However when the wig comes off and his hair is parted, he looked 15. He had great chemistry with Ace Young (Berger) and Diana DeGarmo (Sheila). I do not watch American Idol so I have no clue of their fame from there, but everyone else did. Ace was amazing. He was a little over the top with the goofiness in the very beginning but became more natural as the show progressed. I loved his voice, and well, he is very very pretty to look at walking around shirtless, and sometimes pantsless throughout the show. I really loved to watch all of the small moments between Claude and Berger. Diana as Sheila had a lovely voice and her “Easy to be Hard” was great. The rest of the cast and tribe were also very talented. I especially loved Jason Wooten as Woof - too adorable!

“Where do I go

Follow my heartbeat

Where do I go

Follow my hand

Where will they lead me

And will I ever

Discover why I live and die”