HAIR

The American Tribal Rock Musical in 2 acts: Book and Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado; Music by Galt MacDermot

Produced for the Broadway Stage by Michael Butler
Originally Produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre

Biltmore Theatre, Broadway - (1836 perfs)
Shaftesbury Theatre, London - 27 September, 1968 (1997 perfs)

The story

" ..... be free, no guilt, be whatever you are, do whatever you want, just as long as you don't hurt anyone". This Utopian philosophy incorporates many concepts which supply lyrics for a show comprised almost exclusively of rock musical numbers.

In the age of Aquarius, a time of harmony and understanding, sex and drugs are used as vehicles to evade reality and the establishments. George Berger sets the mood in a song about his recent banishment from high school (Going Down). He learns of the draft notice received by his friend, Claude. Claude, whose only valuable possession, other than his freedom, is his Hair, tells of its joys, "Give me a head of hair, long beautiful hair, shining, streaming, flaxen, waxen ... let it fly in the breeze ... I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy, snaggy shaggy ...."

Sheila, a protester from NYU who lives with Berger and Claude, aspires to spread love. In an effort to please, Sheila buys Berger a yellow satin shirt, which he spurns. She feels rejected (Easy To Be Hard). Another girl, Crissy, alone in her thoughts, sings of a boy she once met and of her longings to meet him again (Frank Mills).

The boys burn their draft cards, exhibiting devotion to peace (Hare Krishna). Claude puts his card into the fire, changes his mind and removes it. He has ambivalent feelings about escaping the draft (Where Do I Go?). The kids recognise there is no escape and to ease the immediate tension, Berger passes "joints" to all.

Claude's hallucinations (Walking In Space) are images of war. Two of the group express their feelings about mankind (What a Piece of Work Is Man). Claude realises that once he is inducted into the Army, he will not be able to enjoy all of life's simple pleasures (Good Morning, Starshine and The Bed). He sees life in the streets offers no more fulfilment than life in the establishment. The stripping away of his feeling leaves him a feeling of doom. Dressed in a military uniform Claude enters the sanctum of the kids, but they are unable to see him (Eyes Look Your Last). The finale reveals Claude lying in his uniform on a black cloth in centre stage (The Flesh Failures).

As a social commentary of our times, Hair provides an insight into the Flower Children of the '60s. As the first and most successful of the rock musicals, Hair represents a new element in musical theatre entertainment.

CAST

Male 11 Female 10
Tribe: Chorus and Dancers & a large group of named extras

Musical Numbers:

Abie Baby
Ain't Got No
Air
Aquarius
Bed
Coloured Spade
Donna
Easy to be Hard
Electric Blues
Let the Sun Shine In
Frank Mills
Going Down
Good Morning Starshine
Hair
Hare Krishna
Hashish
I Got Life
I'm Hung
Initials
My Conviction
Three Five Zero Zero
Sodomy
Walking In Space
What a Piece of Work Man Is
Where Do I Go?

ORCHESTRATION

Trumpet 1, 2 & 3: Trombone: Percussion: Drums: Bass (electric): Guitar 1 & 2: Electric Piano: Baritone Sax