LOS ANGELES -- The Candlefish Theatre Company will let down its Hair, kicking off the company's third season with a 30th anniversary revival of the rock musical, premiering Aug. 21.
"This will be faithful to the original production," the show's director, Mary Schafer, told Playbill On-Line. (One of the outrageous elements of the original, and subsequent productions, apart from the rock-protest songs, was nudity on stage.)
Schafer said that Hair is still relevant in 1998. "Many of the issues Hair dealt with are still present--racism, pollution. Hair is about the human family and embracing everyone."
Schafer did say she would cut two songs, "Going Down," and "Don't Put It Down," in the interest of "moving the action of the play along faster."
"We're inviting all former tribe members--players and musicians and all those affiliated with the show--to join us in Act II, during Claude's drug trip sequence," Schafer said. Among those helping with advice and information has been Michael Butler, the original producer of the Broadway production in 1968, Schafer said. He'll be joining the cast on stage in Act II. Hair, by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, features music by Galt MacDermot
Hair is produced by Candlefish Theatre Company, and is being choreographed by Bo Crowell, with musical directors Danny Feldman and Walter Winston ONeil.
Among the performers will be Douglas Crawford, who performed on Broadway in Tommy Tune's revival of Grease!, and Walter Winston ONeil, who has appeared in several international productions of Hair in various roles.
The show will preview 8 PM Aug. 19 and 20, and open Aug. 21. Regular showtimes are 8 PM Thursday through Saturday, through Sept. 27. There is no performance on Aug. 29. Previews are $10. Opening night is $20, including a champagne reception. Regular admission is $15. Tickets for students and seniors are $12.
Candlefish Theatre Company is at 1540 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. For reservations and ticket information, call (213) 660-TKTS.
-- By Michael Farkash
Southern California Correspondent
