Look at those kids with their affected hairstyles and funny mustaches as they listen to their wild poly-rhythmic music, willing to engage in wild sex as they ingest substances, all the while inking each other up with the symbols form their chosen tribe.
Sound familiar? You might be quick to say this is how some people talk about the kids today who hang out on the streets of Grand Rapids. But in reality, these comments are more than likely about your parent’s generation.
Yep, before dear ol’ mom and dad traded in their love beads and butt-revealing jeans for Nike running shoes and prescription drugs, they were a part of a generation that tuned in and then dropped out. Yes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
But one thing that has not changed in all the years since the groundbreaking and rule-redefining theatrical debut of "Hair" is that America’s theatrical wing would never be the same again after that bass line thumbed out the first chords of the show’s opener, "Aquarius."
This very moving musical follows the journey of a group of friends who choose to use their voice as individuals and, as a group, to speak up and sing out in this rock opera celebrating the timeless themes of personal freedom against a time period where people cry out for hope and change.
And in this musical, we don’t always get what we want. Mick and the Stones knew that; we get what we need. Big difference.
“This is a "period" piece. The issues that were relevant in 1968 are still relevant today: feminism, racism, anti-war, environmental causes and ecology,” says director Fred Sebulske. “We are more aware of these issues today and although we have made progress in these areas, it is apparent from the news headlines (and the current election) that we still have a ways to go before we have conquered these problems. Hopefully the youth of today will be inspired to get involved, as their parents did.”
I am not sure I share his optimism, but that is the power of theater. Once in a while we do get it right. And so this is the hope that no matter what text you cling to for your inspiration, people still continue to mount productions like "Hair" again and again because of the hope that it will get better for the next generation.
One area I do enjoy about this new production besides the use of the 1995 revised book as well as new devices of the most recent Broadway 2009 revival that the production did not anticipate is the large number of cast members from the 1989 production at Circle who will join the audience on Friday, July 13 to see this new version.
As one who remembers this cast since I photographed many of them when we were all younger, I look forward to this special night’s performance where those who have performed these parts for the Grand Rapids audience return 23 years later to see a new generation's take on "Hair."
The world will always need dreamers and doers but most of all, those who find a way to enshrine our struggles on stage and sometimes do it with a song. “This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius.”
Admission: $23 - 25.
WARNING: "Hair" contains adult content throughout the performance, including mature language, sexual content, brief nudity and simulated drug use. "Hair" is not recommended for children under the age of 13.
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