Hair is more than just a musical: it is a social and cultural phenomenon
The Guardian
Hair is more than just a musical: it is a social and cultural phenomenon
The Guardian
Why see Hair?
What a Cast!
The annual star studded musical at the Hollywood Bowl is getting groovy this year. 2014 will see a cast of movie and television favourites performing in a production of Rado, Ragni and McDermott's Hair, the counterculture musical which shocked America when it first premiered in 1967. The show, directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray, Rock of Ages) will only play three nights: 1st, 2nd and 3rd August.
The biggest name on the cast list is Kristen Bell. Though she may be best known for for her lead role in the cult tv show Veronica Mars and as the voice of Frozen's Anna, Bell is no stranger to the stage. Early in her career she trod the boards alongside Liam Neeson in Virginia Theatre's The Crucible. Glee actress Amber Riley, who won last year's Dancing with the Stars will star as Dionne and her fellow Glee star Jenna Ushkowitz will be playing Jeanie. In the role of Claude is Hunter Parrish, who having made his name as Silas Botwin in the Showtime series Weeds, looks set for a very bright future on the stage and screen. He impressed as Jesus in Centre in the Square's 2011 revival of Godspell.
What is Hair?
Billed as an American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, Hair is set in a hippie commune in 1960's New York. Exploring the deep themes and messages of the hippie movement, the plot revolves around a 'tribe' of free-thinkers and free-lovers as they fight being conscripted to fight in Vietnam.
Originally written by actors James Rado and Gerome Ragni in response to the growth of the hippie culture of the 1960s, Hair was given its legendary musical score by composer Galt McDermot. Featuring the songs I Got Life, Aquarius and The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In) it was one of the first 'rock musicals', and paved the way for Rent and Rock of Ages. Controversial in its time for it open attitude towards sexuality and drugs and its much discussed nude scene, Hair is now considered an absolute classic of musical theatre.
Key Information
Audience
Dates
Cast
Sarah Hyland as Chrissy
Mario as Hud
Hunter Parrish as Claude
Jonah Platt as Woof
Amber Riley as Dionne
Jenna Ushkowitz as Jeanie
Benjamin Walker as Berger
Beverly D'Angelo as Mom
Kevin Chamberlin as Dad
Creative
Book and Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado
Music by Galt MacDermot
Reviews
Customer reviews
P A F Smith
HAIR~~~RAISING!!!
Cindy
Absolutely Fabulous!
Bonnie
AMAZING Show!!!