Christopher J. Hanke to take over for Groff in Hair- Page 2
Christopher J. Hanke to take over for Groff in Hair
re: Christopher J. Hanke to take over for Groff in Hair#25
Posted: 8/4/08 at 7:32pmI love this production of Hair. I thought the cast extraordinary, including Mr. Groff. I wish Mr. Hanke a warm reception and I will probably return to see him. For anyone is questioning whether or not it's worth waiting on line, or taking a chance at a cancellation, do it. This Hair is wonderful.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Christopher J. Hanke to take over for Groff in Hair#26
Posted: 8/4/08 at 11:19pmthank god. groff blows.
re: Christopher J. Hanke to take over for Groff in Hair#27
Posted: 8/4/08 at 11:32pmUgh, if only they could extend one more week!
Broadway Star Joined: 7/21/06
re: Christopher J. Hanke to take over for Groff in Hair#28
Posted: 8/5/08 at 1:35am
Yikes, there is a lot of sniping about Groff.
The problem with some of Groff's detractors, I think--and I don't mean this in a condescending manner--is that many go into the show with a preconceived notion of what all the hippies in Hair are supposed to act like. Because there's very little in the way of linear narrative to explain things to the audience, not everyone understands from the get-go that Claude isn't supposed to fit in with the Tribe. He's odd, arrogant, melodramatic...he's a young man still trying to find out who he is, and so far he finds "hippie life" unsatisfying. That's why (SPOILER, YO!) he doesn't burn his draft card. That's why he decides to serve in Vietnam. He's confused, constantly searching, and he feels out of his element everywhere he goes.
Sound familiar? The role of Claude Bukowski is quite similar to Melchior Gabor. I get the sense that many audience members are going into the show unaware of that, and they decide from the beginning that Groff is simply re-hashing his character from Spring Awakening and not playing a hippie properly--when, in fact, Claude is not a "proper" hippie at all.
That said, I know this doesn't go for all of you who disliked Groff's performance. Many of you are quite familiar with Hair and simply didn't enjoy Groff's interpretation of Claude. But could this at least begin to explain the reactions of some who might not have been so familiar with the show?
Sure, he was in a great show (Spring Awakening), but that doesn't give him free will.
I don't think that's quite what you mean to say. All humans should have "free will". Even if they are Jonathan Groff. 
re: Christopher J. Hanke to take over for Groff in Hair#29
Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:28am
I found Groff not to express any of the the character attributes you say Claude should have. Claude is supposed to be torn between the Hippy life, his spirituality, his families values and their political beliefs and that of the Tribe.
Even during the draft card burning I got no sense of his inner conflict. I saw him seem to walk through the choreography. His "Where Do I Go?" the first two times I saw it was delivered like a Rock Concert. Happily on Sunday he was reeled in and it became what it should be; a soul searching query.
Hair is a piece where the characters have to be clearly and deftly defined there is little by way of story or dialogue to as you pointed out to set things up. Most importantly there has to be a chemistry between Berger and Claude. These two drive the story. There should be a great love between these two. I didn't feel one at all. Berger (Swenson) has the audience from the beginning. Claude and his "search for self" should be as important as Berger's antics but in the case of Groff's Claude I found myself not caring.
I agree Claude is not a proper Hippy, he is dressed a little more conservative, much like Sheila, but I also think, (as someone else also mentioned) that the choice to put him in that very long wig was a mistake! That shows lots of commitment to a Hippy lifestyle that he really isn't sure he is committed to.
I saw Groff in Spring Awakening (which by the way I didn't like and would have walked out during intermission had I not been there with a friend who was visiting) and his take on BOTH characters are pretty close to identical. (is he the Julia Roberts of teen age angst musicals?).
I am hoping that by the end of his run in Hair he will be able to embody Claude a little more. Perhaps Christoper Hanke will be able to bring to the show what Groff (IMO) is struggling to.
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