My thoughts on HAIR (long and knotted)- Page 2

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 12:13am

After being rained out on Tuesday and really wanting to hear The Flesh Failures/Let the Sun Shine,I took a chance on the weather tonight and got to the stand by line for cancellations at 6:45. Managed to get a great seat center front!

The show is joyous to be sure! I noticed that Groff wasn't doing as much of his stiff arm pointing at the audience in every song (Thank god) but he still doesn't quite connect. I thing the wig is a big mistake. I don't know if the character of Claude would have hair the length of Berger, who is totally committed to the "HIppy Movement". Claude would have long hair but not quite with that abandon. Berger it seems is a resident of the park, Claude still lived at home. Ah that is the designer in me coming out.

All in all it was well worth the second look. Yes, it is dated, that Viet Nam War was very different. We could watch on TV our neighbors kids coming home in boxes, heck in some cases you could watch them get shot on the 11 O'clock news!

Everyone was subject to the draft ( I got my notice in the mail and I remember that horror! Luckily I had a very high number and the draft ended the year I graduated High School). Sure the reaction to the present war is different. We (for the time being) have a volunteer Army.

The show is dated, a period piece but there is something that reaches across the time , that for me seems universal, the joyousness and innocence of youth. The idealism and love of life. The questioning the need to fight, to lay down ones life for God, for Country, for political ideals.

Let's not forget that incredible score! I believe this was one of the first Broadway shows to have a number of songs make the charts and some in the top 10. I could be wrong.

Some of the cast members seemed to embody the time period and manifested it at the Delcorte with abandon, others I agree, acted as if they were at a Hippy themed get together.

I loved the fact that at curtain call when audience members were invited onstage, there were people who had lived through that time, dressed that way for real (Damned did we really look that crazy? One guy had a vest just like my prized leather fringed one which got tossed last year) fought those fights, dancing with their Grandkids! All giving in to the wave of Flower Power, Make Love Not War, energy that was prevalent then and now every evening in Central Park.

Let the Sunshine!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 7:39am

Finale is great.

[greybaby231]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 7:58am

It was a good production, but I don't agree with casting Jon Groff. I've seen it twice now, and both times he's been awkward in his movements. He acted great. He sang great. But, he's just not comfortable with the more sexual staging they do, and it shows. And why is he so clean while the rest of them are scruffy - like they should be? Still, I loved the show. =]

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 1:16pm

The whole show is very clean.

[joe5]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 1:29pm

Yankee, So glad that you enjoyed the show. Sounds like the finale, would send me home HIGH. Thanks for the great review as always. joe

[The Bearded Lady]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 1:48pm

Thanks for a great review!

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 4:55pm

grey, I kind of think the character of Claude should be a bit awkward. He should be more "Straight" (my how words change over time). He is searching for his place.
Groff just didn't convince me. I had to laugh though, during the hallucination he sits downstage and sort of dances. He was doing the same kind of dance sitting down that the developmentally challenged kids I used to work with did when they sat around the stereo at night! I was waiting for him to yell "Woooo OOOOOO oooooP!" like they used to.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 7/28/08 at 7:21pm

Verdict: Better as a concert than fully staged. Diane Paulus' direction is surprisingly good. Groff should be replaced, and some of the arrangements from the Actor's Fund benefit wouldn't hurt them. Otherwise, cracking good show. And yeah...I danced on the stage.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 4:58am

I've had the oppurtunity to see the show a few times now and while I have nothing to compare it to since I only knew a few songs and have never seen a production before this, I REALLY like it. I like that the music is faster and a little more 'rock' than it was in the 60's and I think it is a very strong, talented cast. While I love Jonathan Groff and think he's a great guy and has a pretty voice, I don't think he's right for Claude. He's just not that great of an actor, and his Claude just comes off as incredibly naiive and too adorable. Frankly, during 'I've Got Life' I often feel like I'm watching a little kid running around and I want to ask where on earth he heard the words 'Tit' and 'ass'. I understand WHY he was cast; obviously having him in the show is a great pull for the audience. It's just not a good fit, in my opinion.

Will Swenson is definitley a standout. Reminds me of every kid in high school with ADHD that never took their meds and often had to be kicked out of class.

Andrew Kober as the woman in drag is HYSTERICAL and he has a gorgeous voice! 'My Conviction' never fails to entertain.

I would recommend the show to anyone who is not easily offended. It's a really good time. Plus audience interactions and dance parties are a good time as well!

Edit: For anyone who is curious, here are some photos of the production from Newsday: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/stage/ny-theaterphotos-mg,0,4139643.gallery

Updated On: 7/29/08 at 04:58 AM