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The Weekend Theater Presents
Hair
Book and Lyrics by
Gerome Ragni and James Rado, Music by Galt MacDermot
July
16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 August 1, 6, 7, 8
Harmony and understanding, skin color invisible, peace
guiding the planet – they’re not just nice ideas, but vital to our survival.
“Hair” is not just a historical artifact, but still holds a vital message for
today.
The rock musical, with
book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, and music by Galt MacDermot,
opens Friday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Weekend Theater, Seventh and Chester
streets in downtown Little Rock. Byron Taylor directs, with music direction by
Lori Isner. The script is specially prepared for this production by Rado.
Other performances will be at 7:30
p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, July 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30,
31, and August 1, 6, 7, 8. Tickets, $18 for general admission and $14 for
seniors age 65 and older and students, can be reserved by calling (501) 374-3761
or online at www.weekendtheater.org.
“Hair” tells the story of the
"tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired youth living in New York
City and rebelling against the Vietnam War, their conservative parents and
prejudiced, repressive society. Leading the group are Claude (Cody Belew), and
roommates Berger (Greg Robinson) and Sheila (Sarah Haman).
The score is one of the few that
truly incorporates rock and roll styles into its very essence, not just as an
accent. The 37 numbers include the title song and those that became popular hits
on their own, including “Let the Sunshine In,” “The Age of Aquarius,” and “Good
Morning, Starshine.”
“I grew up
with it - I've known the music for 40 years and have loved it. And after 40
years, it still has the power to shock and make people think,” Taylor says.
“Granted, “Hair” has its themes and idiom set in 1967, but so much of it holds
true today.
“We were and are
again fighting a war that many people say we have no business being in, the
younger generation is dropping out farther than ours did, and people still judge
each other based on skin color, lifestyle, sexuality, and religion. Very little
has changed in some important areas. In fact, we're almost in a conservative
backlash to those times.”
The
costuming is 1960s style, and do expect some cast interaction with the audience.
“Anyone who knows “Hair” knows not to expect the cast to stay on the stage,”
Taylor comments.
As he looked at
the script while preparing to direct the Little Rock production, Taylor realized
he wanted it to be more like a 2007 version he had seen at the Neighborhood
Playhouse in New York City. At that production, he had met original co-author
James Rado, and decided to contact him about possible changes to the script.
“He graciously listened to my
requests and spent two weeks working on a script that is a synthesis of the
(recent) Broadway production and some previously omitted elements. The resulting
script is very tight and will be a great production.”
He adds, “We have one of the best,
and most dedicated, casts I've ever seen here. They have worked really hard, and
it's going to be an exceptional show.”
The group of local actors includes Jason Willey as Woof,
Chris Straw as Hud, Danette Perry as Wildflower, Caroline Holt as Jeanie, Amanda
Taylor as Crissy, David Weatherly as Mouth, Drew Ellis as Daze, Kathryn Kellogg
as Mary, Brenna Baker as Leata, Brandon Keane Middleton as Walter, Ian Moore as
Hiram, Ebon Jones as Flow Brotherman, Catherine Garland as Emmaretta, Brittany
Rorie as Sunflower, Missy Moore as Linda, Hannah Blackburn-Parish as Rainchild,
Anthony Gerard as Punkin, Michael Goodbar as Micah, Will Moon as Snowflake,
Melia Matlock as Lavender Starfire, Jeremy Ricketson as Jesus, Crystal C. Mercer
as Crystal, Moriah Patterson as Dionne, and
Jahquis Bailey as Jahquis.
As a
social commentary, “Hair” provides an insight into the philosophy of the flower
children of the 1960s, but its clear anti-war message still applies. As the
first and most successful of the rock musicals, “Hair” provides a new element in
musical theater entertainment.
Curtain Times
On Fridays and Saturdays, curtain times are at 7:30
p.m.
For special Sunday showings (Musicals only) curtain
times are at 2:30 p.m.
The Box Office opens 1 hour prior
to curtain.
The House opens 30 minutes prior to
curtain.
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