'HAIR' to be filmed for Great Performances???

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:12am

Here's what my friend who works in the industry sent to me late this evening:

"...and something that I think that will surely make YOU happy, she said that **HAIR** has been mentioned as an upcoming PBS "Great Performances" project!!..."

I e-mailed back to elaborate on "mentioned." To me, that means as a possibility but it could be interpreted as how I am hoping it does!!

Sorry to throw yet another rumor out there, but I couldn't help but share my excitement!! They should DEFINITELY preserve this and let all of America see it!

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:13am

I just died and went to heaven. Let this be true, great god of power.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:14am

Can they do nude work with that?

[GoodMorningBWW]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:15am

I hope so! Preferably with the OBRC.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:15am

Oh great. Cut to the thousands of board meltdowns when this never happens, too.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:15am

I'm not sure this is going to happen. I'm almost certain the production will be filmed by Lincoln Center, so it will at least be preserved in that respect.

It would be nice, but I really don't see this happening.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:15am

As much as I looooooooooove this production, it would NOT work on film. Sorry.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:15am

There are other possibilities though. It could be another documentary (sort of like 'In The Heights')...which would still make me happy .

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:21am

I'm almost certain the production will be filmed by Lincoln Center, so it will at least be preserved in that respect."

So what? Who cares if it's filmed for Lincoln Center? It's not as if those videos are easily accessible to people who aren't in the NYC area, so it doesn't mean anything if Lincoln Center tapes it just to hold it hostage inside their library.

And of course it would "work" on film. It won't be the same as a live performance but than again, they never are. But "not working on film" is a ridiculous statement. It's a representation of the show that was presented live 8 times a week on the stage. Nothing more and nothing less.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:22am

"As much as I looooooooooove this production, it would NOT work on film. Sorry."

Agreed...depending on how it is directed for television. It is a show full of moments that can only be captured LIVE.

BUT - *all* theatre should only be experienced live. But for those who cannot afford that luxury, let them at least get a glimmer of what they are missing! I'm thankful for many of the taped productions that I would have never been able to see otherwise.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:23am

I would probably pee myself if this really happened.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:23am

I love this production of HAIR. I find it to be an incredible re-imagining of an iconic piece.

That being said, have the various TV performances the cast has been doing taught anyone anything? The palpable magic the show emanates doesn't translate to the screen because of how much of an experience it is within the theater.

If this revival of HAIR is recorded when works like CAROLINE, OR CHANGE and GREY GARDENS that needed to be commercially preserved weren't, it would be a crying shame.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Updated On: 8/10/09 at 12:23 AM

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:28am

I can ask my mother if she's heard anything about it. She's the head programmer at the Houston PBS station. She knew about David Tennant's Hamlet being filmed for Great Performances months ago, and it was only publicly announced the other day.

Granted though, I may not be allowed to straight up tell you that it's a go. I had to stay quiet about Hamlet until it was announced.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:29am

Jordan- If Lincoln Center records it than the production will not be lost forever once it closes. THAT'S the importance of it. That's the importance with every taping Lincoln Center has. I never stated that it would be easily accessible, but just because it isn't broadcast across America so that everybody and their mother can watch it doesn't mean that Lincoln Center holds it hostage. If you're over 18, you can basically watch anything. If you're not in NYC, well then you're S.O.L.

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:40am

I will believe it when I see it. What would be the motivation to broadcast the show now? They seem to be drawing a consistently large crowd on a regular basis. If the crowds die down or the show closes (which I don't think it will anytime soon), then I could understand them wanting to broadcast the show.

Although, I agree with Jazzy about a documentary special. That might be the way to go. Interviews with the cast and crew, behind the scenes footage, and some clips from the show. I find that much more feasible.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:43am

"Agreed...depending on how it is directed for television. It is a show full of moments that can only be captured LIVE."

True, but it will still be awesome!

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:45am

I'll have to agree while it obviously won't be the same it would still be great for our friends who can't make it to the city.

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:50am

It would be awesome if it happened. So many people would be able to experience the show in some way. However, as I said in my earlier post, I'll believe it when I see it. I guess I'm just being a skeptic.

[commasplice]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:50am

"I can ask my mother if she's heard anything about it. She's the head programmer at the Houston PBS station. She knew about David Tennant's Hamlet being filmed for Great Performances months ago, and it was only publicly announced the other day."

Not to be nitpicky, but Tennant's Hamlet wasn't filmed for Great Performances. It might be airing on PBS, but it was announced months ago that it was being filmed for BBC2.
Updated On: 8/10/09 at 12:50 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:50am

I don't really buy this, and highly doubt it happens. Sounds like another CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, GYPSY, and GREY GARDENS to me.
And I agree that the magic of this brilliant revival (the best show playing on Broadway at the time, IMO) is really in the experience that comes from being at the theatre seeing it live. It shakes you, electrifies you, elevates you, then drops you flat on your seat with one of the best and most haunting endings of any show I have ever seen. Still, I wouldn't complain if the show was preserved for posterity.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 12:52am

I doubt this will happen but I hope it does.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 1:12am

"Not to be nitpicky, but Tennant's Hamlet wasn't filmed for Great Performances. It might be airing on PBS, but it was announced months ago that it was being filmed for BBC2."

Well, either way, she knew it was going to be aired on Great Performances (for those of us who don't live in the UK and don't get BBC2) months before it was announced. And also, when I say that she knew it was being filmed months before, I mean even before it was announced in late May for BBC2. So she did know it was being recorded before the public did.
Updated On: 8/10/09 at 01:12 AM

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 10:46am

I really don't think this will be filmed, mainly because of the nudity issues.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 10:58am

This thread is a total fail.

[phantom39]

Posted: 8/10/09 at 3:05pm

I really hope they film it, both for the show and for, well, the theater community in general. We need this recorded! Great Performances really "owes" us after that big Gypsy letdown...