War Vet reactions to HAIR? Spoilers

[mrs felciano]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 8:20pm

Hi all,

I've seen HAIR twice now and am taking a friend tomorrow to see it. Another friend of mine is coming now and I'm not sure if HAIR is right for her. She's recently come back after a year in Iraq, and she lost a very close friend over there. I'm afraid that the war scenes and the image at the end of Claude on the American flag will be too much for her. I know it had an impact on me just having a friend overseas. Has anyone heard any responses from war vets and their experience with HAIR? Do you think it is an appropriate choice?

Thanks. :)

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 8:32pm

I would speak to your friend and discuss what the show is about, and express your concerns about content that she might find disturbing, and then let her decide if she wants to go.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 9:18pm

It might be difficult for her, but that doesn't mean that's a bad thing. It could let her grieve in a way that is uplifting and necessary.

But the best advice is definitley to talk to her directly and let her make an informed decision.

[kryst22]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 9:54pm

I took my parents to Hair on July 4. They both joined the Army just as the Vietnam war was ending, & served for 20 years so they've seen their fair number of "conflicts" and my dad served as a civilian worker in Iraq.

I didn't think it was inappropriate to take them because they both knew what the show was about in context. My dad didn't have the greatest response to burning the draft cards and neither of them enjoyed the "Don't Put It Down". Overall, I think that there has to be some separation possible between the stage and reality. At the end of the day, they all had a great time and enjoyed watching my sis and I dance on stage. It also opened the door for them to discuss with the fam what it was "really" like during the 60s/70s.

It could be a cathartic experience for your friend. I agree with dramamama in that you should let her know what she's getting into.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 1/12/10 at 11:07pm

One of the times I saw it, I sat next to a Viet Nam Vet. We talked briefly at intermission. I told him I was two years too young to be drafted at that time. He openly cried at the end but I heard him rave about how great it was.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/13/10 at 1:31am

I have asked my mother more than once what my father thought of this show. He was a Vietnam vet and was very proud of the fact. I was very curious on how he viewed people like those portrayed in the show. She doesn't know and he passed 12 years ago so I'll always have to wonder.

[winston89]

Posted: 1/13/10 at 2:49am

My uncle, aunt and uncle's friend went to see the show. Now, due to the fact that my Aunt was sick, my Uncle offered to give me the ticket since he knows I love theatre. My uncle and his friend both served in Vietnam together and both have two polar opposite views on the subject.

It was very interesting seeing their reactions during the show and then talking about it with them after. My Uncle told me about how he loved the scene where all the draft cards were being burned. He told me that he had thought of doing that himself. But, he was very scared of what would happen if he had done tha. And, he had heard from his friends stories, one worse then the previous one about what does happen.

His friend thought that the tribe was crapping on their country by burning them. Interestingly enough, my uncle is hugely against the war in Iraq, and his friend is all for it.