HAIR Review

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 1:16pm

I saw HAIR last night...probably one of the best theatrical experiences I've ever had. When the lights dimmed, the audience clapped and cheered the loudest I've ever hear before a show starting. Aquarius itself was so exciting and magical. The curtain is gorgeous and the set is great. The band rocks and so does the whole cast.

Everyone in the cast was great, everyone was giving their all and it showed.

I loved all the numbers and I never felt like it dragged on like some other posters. I thought "Hair" was the highlight of Act 1. But this truly is a MUSICAL. It actually tells the story through the songs, and there's barely any dialogue that is not to music.

The hallucination scene in Act 2 is brilliant. So powerful. The fresh failures is so breath taking and the ending is chilling. It really shows people why hippies stand for what they stand for.

The nudity scene is not bad at all. The lighting is a dark purple.

The theater was packed and I went on stage at the end...not an empty seat in the theater.

I haven't seen WSS yet, but it has some tough competition for best revival.

I can't wait to go back to the show. Everyone should go see this.

[sgv123]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 1:25pm

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow!

[esparza 333]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 2:11pm

Thanks For The Great Review!


Just Wondering, what were your thoughts on Gavin Creel, and Will Swenson?

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 4:01pm

I thought they were both great!

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 1:41am

I saw Hair several times in the park this past summer. Can those who have seen both the park and Broadway production describe the differences? I am especially curious as to the set design. Thanks.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 1:45am

"I saw HAIR last night...probably one of the best theatrical experiences I've ever had."

You clearly haven't seen IRENA'S VOW (or WEST SIDE STORY, which is much better than HAIR).

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 1:48am

"You clearly haven't seen IRENA'S VOW (or WEST SIDE STORY, which is much better than HAIR)"

wow.. you are clearly loving Irena's Vow! lol (and I do agree on WSS :) )

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 1:50am

...And nobody who's seen both has answered my question...

What is the concept on Broadway and how is it interpreted scenically?

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 2:05am

The hippies have taken over the theater, so there are rugs on the stage and the back wall has a big sunset and their truck is parked onstage and they basically invade the entire theater.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 5:02am

It's NOT clear CS hasn't seen those shows. It's clear he adored HAIR...why does that have to be quantified?

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 6:41am

I haven't seen those shows yet...I'm seeing WSS in a couple weeks. So far HAIR was a pretty good experience with me. There's room for two revivals this year to love (at least for me).

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 7:16am

While I will agree that WEST SIDE STORY is the better written show than HAIR, I found the current revival production of HAIR to be much better than the current revival production of WEST SIDE STORY.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 7:37am

I totally agree with WBAF.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 8:23am

I've already made this comment on another HAIR board, but I'm going to repeat myself. I saw the show last night and the audience was in a frenzy by the end. Everyone was having the time of their lives. And when they started pulling people onstage in the reprise of Let the Sunshine In, it was euphoria. Again, pride of place has to go to Will Swenson -- he's absolutely fabulous, far surpassing the original Berger in 1968 which I saw several times during the first month of its Broadway run. WHERE he gets the energy to keep up that performance is beyond me. He was fine in Rock of Ages but really blew me away in this. I know I'm going to go back -- this is one of those shows that merit repeat attendance.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 8:35am

great review.
i also saw it this week and fell in love. The cast was amazing, the costumes were amazing, the lighting was unbelievable!!

As for the nudity scene i agree, its funny though we're all so jaded in this generation. In 1969, when Hair came out that was monumental, now its just like, "oh, look, naked people, word."

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 8:35am

Couldn't agree more with Ed - saw it Saturday matinee and now I can't wait to see it again. Swenson is absolutely terrific - amost wish his name was above the title. . .

[SNAFU]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 10:02am

I can't wait to see it on the 22nd. If it is anything like the version in the park it will definitely outshine the rather disappointing WSS revival. (Don't get me wrong I love the show itself, I was bored to tears with the revival).

[mortgageguy79]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 10:32am

Thanks for the review CS, I couldn't agree more :) I agree with WBAF too, WSS may be a better written show, but this current revival of HAIR is incredible and (for me) was better than WSS. I am in love with Will Swenson at the moment, having never seen him before, this was a great first introduction to him :) I am looking forward to seeingit again in two weeks when my brother comes to visit! GOOD TIMES!

[sgv123]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 11:09am

I saw the show last night, and I thought that is was amazing I sat in the second row on the aisle of the orchestra so I got some cast interaction. I am not good at writing reviews, so I just want to say that I had an amazing time at the show. The cast was fantastic with alot of energy. I have not seen to many shows this season yet, but this may be my favorite so far. I recommend this show!

PS- A Broadway community packed house. I sat across the aisle from Matt Caplan and Karen Olivo. There were some other West Side Story people there. Robin De Jesus, Titus Burgess, and a bunch of other people I don't remember at the moment.

[viola13]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 11:21am

I was also there last night, and it was absolutely wonderful, and I really recommend the lotto seats, in the boxes, they're great seats.

In addition to the people sgv mentioned, saw a bunch of In the Heights ensemble members, Nick Adams, and I think Jennifer Damiano.

[sgv123]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 11:27am

Yeah, I did see all of those people, and I think Jennifer was there as well.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 8:22pm

So glad other people love it.

[Sparks of Blue]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 8:53pm

has anybody tried going to the stage door of Hair after the show yet? and if so, did Gavin Creel and/or Will Swenson come out and sign autographs? thanks

[sgv123]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 8:56pm

I did SD last night and everyone came out.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 8:59pm

When I went ,March 6th, Of course it was the 1st preview, but Everyone came out, and the whole cast was posing for photo's and signed basically anything. I was dancing with Gavin Creel on-stage so at the stage door he was very very kind. There was no barricade when I went.