By Eboni-Jade Wooten
The SCAD school of performing arts department’s latest production of “Hair” opened to a packed house on May 12 at the Lucas Theatre. The tribal love-rock musical was directed by Michael Wainstein, choreographed by Vincent Brosseau, with musical direction by Kevin Wallace.
“Hair” is the story of a “tribe” of free spirited, politically active, bohemian hippies who are fighting against the Vietnam War. A sassy Leata, played by a power-packing vocalist Galyana Castillo, opened the performance with the timeless “Aquarius.”
The tribe is led by loincloth sporting Berger, played by an amusing B. Todd Johnson. When the men of the tribe receive their draft cards all but one burns his. Claude, played by Zach Allie, must then choose which path he will follow: taking the path led by his friends or compromising his demure nature and going to war.
The production had a live band which was also decked out in their ’60s attire including keyboardist and musical director Kevin Wallace donning an afro. The band included Alan Paglia on keyboard, Schiller Polland and Jimmy Fisher on guitar, Jason Rogers on bass guitar, Tom Hoffman on drums and Wade Stevens on percussion.
The multi-level set, designed by D. Schyuler Banks resembled a section of Central Park. Although the set was simple, it allowed the focus to be placed elsewhere. This design also allowed actors to have plenty of space to perform but permitted the band to be on stage as well.
Whispered throughout audience members were statements such as, “Best show I’ve seen at SCAD” or “Why can’t all musicals be like this?” It’s easy to understand the raving response. Throughout the performance the tribe broke the fourth wall and interacted with the audience to spread their message of peace and love. They mingled with audience members, some of which decided to join in the fun and dress in their own hippie attire.
Be warned: there is plenty of mature language, themes, situations and references, but I would highly recommend “Hair” to anyone. It has timeless music that I can say from first hand will be stuck in your head for hours upon hours. “Hair” touches on ideas such as social conformity, racial, political and sexual issues, and environmentalism. Everyone can easily relate to some aspect of this musical.
A final showing of “Hair” at Lucas Theatre will be on May 22 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 with senior, military or student ID and $5 with valid SCAD ID.
[Contact fname=”Eboni-Jade” lname=”Wooten” email=”ewoote20@student.scad.edu”]
