The Clintons at HAIR tonight

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 11:45pm

I waited in line for tickets to see HAIR one last time in the Delacorte and to see Hanke as Claude ( I had seen Groff 2 1/2 times in the role).
As it neared curtain time Bill, Hillary and Chelsea took their seats to a standing ovation! The crowd went wild. All of us were surprised and happy to see them there. During Berger's introduction, "My name is George Berger, but I don't like George!" the audience cheered. Swenson looked a bit taken a back at the response but then it dawned on him why he had gotten that response, "I just got that!" he said and everyone burst into laughter and cheering again. The performers, all were extremely electric tonight. Swenson also chose to point out Hillary as his Mom in the audience, to the cheering of the crowd again.
I was so happy to see Hanke in the role of Claude. His acting is far superior to Groff's! I was actually on the edge of my seat during the draft card burning. Hanke seems to be more in his body in the role of Claude. He managed to get the close loving relationship with Berger that was so lacking with between Groff and Berger.
Hanke's singing isnt as strong as Groff's I will admit, but he knows how to act his songs and my opinion seemed to breathe much more life into Claude's caracter.
I realized at the final bars of Aquarius when the audience was dancing on stage, I am actually going to miss this show in the park. It sort of has been the shinning part of my summer 2008!

Updated On: 9/8/08 at 11:45 PM

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 9/7/08 at 11:48pm

Wow, that's VERY cool. Were there any extra security measures that you could see?

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:03am

There were Secret Service Guys but people were allowed to approach them and talk during intermission.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:08am

That's pretty awesome. How were they dressed?

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:09am

Snafu - you forgot to post that you almost got decked by Chelsea at the concession stand. You just about had your brownie in hand and Chelsea was behind you!

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:24am

It wasn't Chelsea, it was her Secret Service guy. He pushed me out of the way firmly to make room for Chelsea to get back to her seat. I would have taken offense but he was kinda cute and I have a thing for guys in suits with those special hearing aids! "Manhandle me Mr Secret Service Guy!"
The were all pretty dressed up nice. Bill had a jacket, Hillary her pant suit. Chelsea a nice longish dress. They do dress when they go to the theatre!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:25am

Hahaha

[elphiesmagic]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:26am

[xOnMyOwnX]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:29am

I was there tonight as well. LOVED IT. Enough said.

And the Clintons being there was interesting

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:35am

Thank-you punctuation Nazi! You make threads so much fun! Hope you got your Jollies!

Updated On: 9/8/08 at 12:35 AM

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:38am

Gee, I wonder how long they had to wait in line for their tickets.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:44am

"Who needs stinkin' Tickets?"

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 12:46am

[HITcards]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 2:13am

Theatreboy, you stole my sarcastic response!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 2:45am

I'd have been thrilled to see the Clintons at the theatre!
I got to see Bush Senior at Hairspray, his security caught Jackie Hoffman on her way to the stage thinking she was a protestor, but she actually entered the stage from the audience on the 2nd act. It was kinda funny, no on knew what was going on, the show suddenly started and you hear the microphone going "Im not protesting, Im in the show!" LOL
Most of the audience booed Bush when he arrived at the theatre.

[ToplessCocoWantsFame]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 5:11am

It was incredible to see Billary @ the Delacorte. I would have been just as thrilled to see Brangelina!

Hill was wearing a white suit that shined in the audience,
Bill had on a yellow shirt (which made me laugh extra hard when Berger receives a yellow shirt as a gift, hates it, mocks it, and tears it up claiming "I hate yellow" haha)
Chelsea had her hair in a bun, and her bf was there.

During the "Trip sequence" where they flash back into the USA's origins, Bill and Hill kept whispering to each other. If only I could have been a fly on their shoulder to hear what was said....

As someone who has been to many a stage door; there's a very different feeling around these huge political figures in an audience of such a political show. We just listened to these people speak at the DNC and now they're listening to the words of Jim Rado and Gerry Ragni, who were so ahead of their time. If for one moment their work could let this family "face this dying nation"... what more could one accomplish from a work written over 40 years ago?? Kudos NY Public!!!

Camryn Manheim was also there looking fabulous, but even she was star struck by the Clintons. She looks AMAZING... if only Caroline Rhea could talk to her about how she keeps her beautiful plus size in tact.

[ivanguy]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 10:38am

I was there last night as well in glorious row F (a friend of the Public gave me the tickets ..... hallelujah) with a perfect view of the Clintons. We first noticed Secret Service coming out from the ramps below the audience (but had no idea what was happening) ... and in walks Hillary all sparkly and fresh, followed by Chelsea and then Bill. The audience was SHOCKED. A few seconds of silence then followed by a MASSIVE standing ovation. We were in awe.

The energy in the theatre was ELECTRIC.

Another wonderful moment happened right behind me at the start of the second act. One of the women from "the tribe" came out into the audience and gave this very stiff female Secret Service member a big hug and Hillary went crazy with laughter. You did not want to f- around with the Secret Service!

Absolutely incredible to see that show with the Clintons there. It was an absolutely amazing night. One of the best nights of theatre EVER.

Oh yeah, and the show was great, too. I will never forget this most amazing night of my life!

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 10:47am

I find it very amusing that the punctuation nazi is missing an apostrophe in her name.

[BWNUT]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 2:07pm

Oh, to have another prez and first family who understand and appreciate art and theatre like the Clintons. The Clintons are not afraid of art, even "brave" art.

[stupidbeans]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 2:23pm

I fixed it

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 2:56pm

How nice of the Clinton's to come. Glad you enjoyed the show!

[xOnMyOwnX]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 4:42pm

On a totally separate note (but still having to do with Hair last night) did anyone else see those partially shirtless teenagers in line?

[stupidbeans]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 4:57pm

they went to rent too a long time ago.

I heard they went avenue q a while ago too. they have good taste

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 5:52pm

Hillary and Chelsea saw Doubt. I was a foot from them backstage. Hillary is gorgeous in person--has a glow of incredible energy around her.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 6:17pm

That she does Jerby! I have met her a couple times and there is an energy which surrounds her! My favorite time seeing her was by City Hall when she was running against Gulianni. It was just after the Gay Pride Parade and she was walking with her secret service guys, who were wearing Shorts, Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses and black socks and dress shoes. It was a very funny tableaux!