Hair Reviews- Page 2

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 10:53pm

PEACE OUT my Hippie Friends.
The sky is doing it's own JOSHUA Light show to celebrate.
And "the beauty is" they can take any smaller wiped out Bway House.
I think the Neederlander is the perfect high but I hear it's taken.
Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna
Krisha Krishna
Mary Wanna (sic)
See ya in the Park.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 10:56pm

They can just take the Nederlander as is.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 10:56pm

The Newark Star-Ledger is Very Positive:

...The shaggy ringleader of the flower children, Berger, is portrayed with infectiously high spirits by a charismatic Will Swenson. "Spring Awakening" idol Jonathan Groff gives his relatively innocent Claude a wide-eyed appeal. Caren Lyn Manuel isn't much of an actress, but she styles "Easy to Be Hard" powerfully. Bryce Ryness' gangly Woof, Allison Case's sweet-faced Crissy (who sings a wistful "Frank Mills") and Patina Renea Miller's jubilant, full-throated Dionne are other standouts. Megan Lawrence vehemently depicts several disapproving adults.

And, yes, practically everybody sheds their clothes as the first act concludes.

Undulating through Karole Armitage's choreography, which often looks ritualistic in its mass motions, the company invests the show with much youthful heat, which helps to override a strangely tedious patch during the second act when Claude hallucinates about Vietnam.

After the bows, the audience is invited onstage to dance in a frenzy with the performers -- although why everybody is so festive when one of the lead characters has just been killed is puzzling.

Well, as a lyric from "Let the Sun Shine In" declares, "Life is around you and in you." So perhaps the in-the-moment thrill of sharing "Hair" with the performers means more to people than reflecting on its serious message.

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2008/08/fresh_hair_lets_the_sun_shine.html

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:01pm

TheaterMania is positive:

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/14695

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:10pm

Let the sun shine! Let the sun shine in!

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:11pm

I would call Theatermania's more of a Rave.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:19pm

John Heilpern (a very funny guy) at the New York Observer is a Rave:

The Public Theater’s smashing new revival of Hair (1967) in Central Park is a joy from beginning to end. It’s just the best, though fans of South Pacific (1947) might not agree with me.

I felt about Lincoln Center’s loving revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific that while the audience seemed to be in heaven, I was in a retirement home. But Hair is different. Hair is my South Pacific.

“The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical”—to give its glorious subtitle—was the first show I ever saw with performers onstage who were my own age. It’s the musical that spoke directly to my 1960s generation, though there’s another particular affection I have for it: For reasons nobody’s ever been able to figure out, Hair’s stoned hero—Claude Bukowski from Flushing, Queens—likes to pretend he’s from Manchester, England.

As readers of this column may recall, so am I...

http://www.observer.com/2008/arts-culture/let-fogies-fawn-over-south-pacific-hair-revival-rocks

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:22pm

Wow. Big congrats to a very deserving cast and creative team...I fell in love with this production, and I'm thrilled to see that so many reviewers have done the same.

It's true what some of the reviewers say--it's much harder to imagine Hair in the confines of an auditorium once you've experienced it in the open air. And certainly it would raise a few eyebrows for such a free-spirited and, literally, free production to suddenly have Broadway ticket prices slapped onto it. But if ever there was a production of a beloved show that I wanted to see again and again, this is it--and I think a transfer of any kind would be most welcome. More people need to see this.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:38pm

Seems it is straight across the board a hit (well except that narc on Talkin' Broadway who probably got some crappy shrooms' or crabs from his girlfriend)

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:38pm

Oh damn.

I publicly and wholeheartedly apologize for my comments that this show was (1) outdated and (2) uncalled for. Apparently, I have very little idea what will sell these days and I should crawl back into the cave I share with Elle Woods.

I was wrong. I was stuuuuuupid. I am sorry.

My apology perp walk will post on youtube soon.

C

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:39pm

THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!

Thank goodness I've seen it already, because these are clearly going to be the hottest tickets in-town!

HOLY LOVE! It's so elating!
TERRIFIC WORK, AND CONGRATULATIONS, PUBLIC THEATER!!!

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 11:53pm

Congratulations to the show for its across-the-board raves/very positives.

And a special congratulations to Matthew Murray, who was ONCE AGAIN the only critic to not like the show. Hats off to you, sir.

(I mean, the only thing that could make things worse for you is if John Simon liked it...)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 12:05am

These reviews only validate the reception the show has received all summer.

Congratulations to the cast and crew on a sterling piece of work.

Updated On: 8/11/08 at 12:05 AM

[broadwayman17]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 1:11am

A bit off topic, but does anyone know if Groff's last day is the 16th or the 17th.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 1:57am

Anybody go to the opening/opening night party?
Wondering if any of the OBC were there, such as Ronnie Dyson, Melba Moore, Steve Curry, Shelly Plimpton, Diane Keaton?
---To gregj63: really enjoyed reading your review the other day. I, too, spent hours upon hours, days upon days memorizing the OBCR! What fun. I never knew what 3-5-0-0 mean, though, till years later..... (so apropos now, unfortunately).

[hubee]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 1:59am

YAY!! I LOVED It so I'm glad the reviews are saying exactly what I was thinking.

(uh, in case you care, but I'm just a lil' blogger, here's my blubbering review http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com/2008/08/summer-awakening-hair-musical-review.html )

Jaystar. Just GOOOO for goodness sakes and lineup! IT'S WORTH IT. I'm from TORONTO and I went to line up TWICE and it was totally worth it! Even if Hair moves to Broadway, it will never be the same as seeing in it Central Park!

[meredithchandler73]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 2:05am

I confess that I was never a huge fan of HAIR, though the only production I ever saw was a student production in college. I think the current production is great and has an outstanding cast. However...I think a lot of it's charm comes from being at the Delacorte. I'm not sure I would have been as "into it" if it hadn't had such a perfect setting - outdoors under the stars.

But hey, what do I know? Perhaps it will end up on Broadway and have a healthy run.
Updated On: 8/8/08 at 02:05 AM

[joe5]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 8:49am

I would love to see this. Being from Boston, I guess I would make a donation to make sure I see this. My only issue, What happens if it rains. Do I get my donation back? Or am I given another date to see it? Any help would be great, I really don't want to miss this. Thanks joe

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 8:59am

Joe- If it rains. they will reschedule your tickets thru donations (but that does not apply to the people who got their ticket free thru virtual line and central park)

Make sure you check the weather before you leave boston. one more thing~ the real question is AFter you made your donations- what IF they have no available seats for the days you want. you know they have Corp sponsors too that they gave the bulk of their donation tickets. are you willing to see it on the weekdays? if not... I guess your DONATION is a DONATION. meaning you will end-up with NO tickets (if your schedule is not flexible)

Remember : when you make a donation to the Public Theater~they gave you a ticket as a token of gratitude to your donation. and the show is only running 2 more weeks with the rave reviews-it will really be hard to get tickets!

Hence the name PUBLIC THEATER - Shakespeare in the Park - its a FREE theater for the PUBLIC- its a first come, first serve basis! Its not meant to be SOLD or for commercial.

Unfortunately... our (non- new yorkers) great cahnce is thru virtual line- check the weather and if you win it.. GO! or else we might waste the trip to NYC.. There's really NO guarantee~even to the people who fall in line!

It's Public Theater!

Good Luck on Virtual Line/ Donation tixs- May you get it too! I am trying everyday now.. we are on a stand-by~ if we get it. we'll drive to NYC and take a day off the next day from work! I guess.. that's the price we pay for not living in NYC!

J*

Updated On: 8/8/08 at 08:59 AM

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:02am

I really hope this gets the transfer to a Broadway house. Wouldn't it be great if it beat out all the other contenders for Best Revival of a Musical come Tony time?

There's no way I'm going to see at the Delacorte -- too iffy to get in, but I would race to see it on Broadway. I remember the orignal version as beimg one of the most fun nights I've ever had in the theatre, musical or otherwise, and this coming from a guy who swears by Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart!

Updated On: 8/8/08 at 09:02 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:21am

I'm really suprised at how positive the reviews are. No reflection on the show - I haven't seen this mounting but I saw and enjoyed the concert very much last summer - but because generally when Hair comes up it's "mumble mumble DATED" or whatever.

[joe5]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:33am

Thanks Jay, I will be speaking to someone when the BO opens this am. I really only have one date in mind. So hopefully they will be able to handle my request(fingers and toes crossed). joe

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:43am

It will be a smart move to move this on Broadway! WSS will really have a serious competition for BEST REVIVAL..

With Brantley's rave review--this show is a guarantee hit! plus you know? you have this (latter) baby boomers that wanna reminescence about the 60's - like the early baby boomers who flock to JERSEY BOYS which is the sound of the 50's-the soundtrack of their youth!

AND- It will be a great opportunity for us too (who never saw HAIR) btw.. is this the 1st revival of HAIR? (if ever move to Broadway)

joe- good luck- btw- i forgot to tell you.. i spoke to the box office... and according to them- Delacorte (they will be the one that will be calling you, if there's available)
box office will call you TWO DAYS before youre requested day.. example if your 1st choice is Aug. 16- you wont get a call now , but on Aug. 14- "IF" there's an available reserved seat for you...remember they also have to save seats for their corp sponsors, that's when you will know- if you have a seat! IF not- they will find you another dates- but you have to be fLEXIBLE with your dates...

Hope that helps!

J*
Updated On: 8/8/08 at 09:43 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:48am

There was a revival in 1977 that didn't last long.

[viola13]

Posted: 8/8/08 at 9:57am

I went and did the standby line (sat there for 6 hours) for the Opening Night, and it was absolutely amazing. I'm really bad at recognizing people, and I didn't get my ticket until about 15 minutes before it started, so the only people I know who were definitely there was Rado and Stew. There's a couple of pictures on gettyimages of the cast during the finale and Rado.

I'm not going to go into a review of the show, we have plenty official ones to read, but one thing that made last night even more amazing was the rain. There had been flashes of lightning all night, but it held off until the very end, when it started lightly raining right as the cast raised their arms and started singing "Let the sun shine..." It was spooky how perfect the timing was. lol. The audience pretty much went crazy and a lot of people started dancing in their seats once it started to rain. ****POSSIBLE SPOILER****.........And then the rain slowly got heavier as the cast left the stage and all that was left was Claude's body in the single spotlight, with the rain streaming down within the light. It was amazing.****END****

And then it started absolutely pouring, but that didn't stop anyone from jumping up on stage and dancing. If anything, I think more people went up. They only did the reprise of Hair, though, not Let the Sun Shine In, since it was raining so hard. I found out later that they weren't checking tickets to the after party, because it was raining, but I had to catch a train, so I left. It was an absolutely wonderful night, one that was completely worth the 6 hours in line, and one that I'll never forget.