| As the audience waited patiently for the curtain to rise on Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, young men and women began to move towards the stage, decked out in tie-dye jeans, multi-colored beads, suede vests, fringes and afros. Many had flowers in their hair and appeared to be quite comfortable without shoes and in some cases shirtless flaunting the freedom associated with nudity.
But the most prominent symbol was the rainbow - a reminder that the garden of humanity is represented by all kinds of colors and one which has since been adopted by the LGBT community to illustrate their own diversity.
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| For those too young to remember, Hair follows a Tribe of inspired teenagers who believe in free-love, pacifism, experimentation with sexual identity and the eradication of racism. And with words like cool, groovy and hip dominating the dialogue, and with unforgettable songs like Aquarius and Let the Sunshine
In, this play is a high-charged walk down memory lane.
Directed by 7 Stages' Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Del Hamilton, the show even features an on-stage rock band and a shocking frontal nudity scene that was part of the original production.
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The cast consists of outstanding local talent including Naomi Lavender, Jason Royal, Warren E. Ullom, Francena Byrd and Theodus X Crane II, and an amazing rock band that features Rob Thompson and Sam McPherson on guitar, David Miksch on drums and Steve McPeeks on bass.
The wonderful world of Hair made its first stage appearance at the Public Theater Off Broadway in 1967, hitting Broadway in April 1968 at the Biltmore Theatre and is a play that was heavily influenced by the Vietnam War. It is apropos that now America is dealing with war again - this time in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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A unique opportunity to relive the vicissitudes of life that were prominent during the racially-charged 1960s where the body was perceived as a "sexual gift" and at a time during the hippie movement was in full swing, Hair is a tale that remains ever fresh, ever exciting and always entertaining.
And be prepared for the conclusion of the show, where the audience is invited to participate in a celebration of dance and song.
Let the Sunshine In!
Hair runs through October 10th. For more information go to www.7stages.org.
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