I saw “Hair” Thursday night for the first time since its original run on Broadway. I can actually say that I lived the life and have known many girls like Sheila, and guys like Berger and Claude. This tribe, Thursday night, brought quite a few memories back to light and I thought that the entire cast did a fantastic job. For me Kyle, Steel (I was disappointed in not seeing Ace) and Diana were real people and I though their acting was true to embodiment and emotions of that generation. Kyle has the same boyish charms that Claude would use to deflect the turmoil that is going on in his head. Diana brought the passion of the activist/flower child that is Sheila. I’m not going to hold off on commenting on Berger until after I see how Ace portrays him but Steel was also true to the Berger types that I knew.
I think that Kyle did a great job with his solos “I Got Life” and “Where Do I Go”. As for Diana, I can only say, if you got the voice than use it. I have never known a Sheila that can sing like her but I wish that I did. Diana’s “Easy To Be Hard” is an emotional experience. Diana makes you feel the pain that is in Sheila’s heart when Berger hurts her feelings. Bravo also to Annaleigh, Jeannette, Vanessa, Wallace, Jason, and all the tribe members.
I have two complaints. The first is that the on stage band gets too loud and , at times, will drown out some of the performers. Second, could they get a curtain that will cover the entire stage?
I’ve read some reviews comparing the 2009 revival tribe to the current revival tribe and I think it is very unfair to make these comparisons as it would be very unfair for me to compare the 2009 revival tribe to the 1968 tribe and also how “Hair” was staged back then. Shows evolve and the cast will change and I think that shows its cast should be judged on merit and not comparison. Go see “Hair” you will not be disappointed by the current tribe.
"The secret of life is to appreciate the pleasure of being terribly, terribly deceived".
Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance, Act 3