In 2001, both Los Angeles and New York saw concert readings of Hair, the James Rado-Galt MacDermot-Gerome Ragni rock musical. Soon Seattle gets a chance at the wildly popular production April 9-21 at the 5th Avenue Theatre.

Hair rocked Broadway when it transferred there from the Public Theatre in 1968. The loosely-plotted musical follows a group of young hippies as they live, love and then lose one of their number to the Vietnam War. "Aquarius," "Hair" and "Let the Sunshine In" were pop hits; the score also includes "Frank Mills," "Easy to Be Hard," "Where Do I Go" and "Good Morning Starshine."

Among the featured cast are Rodney Hicks (Rent) as Hud, Louis Hobson as Claude, Cheyenne Jackson as Berger, Benjamin Schrader as Woof, Nancy Colton as Sheila, Precious Butiu as Jeanie, Kathleen Young as Crissy and Lisa Estridge-gray as Dionne. The rest of the tribe is filled by David Austin, Bertram Johnson, Daniel Cruz, Jr., Timothy Glynn, Micah Meryman, Paris Remillard, Lisa Strum, Garrett Michael Brown, Charlie Parker, Kathryn van Meter, Lakeetra Gilbert, Brittany Parry, Alec Stephens III and Billie Wildrick.

David Armstrong directs with Chris Daigre as associate choreographer. R. J. Tancioco is the conductor and musical director.

Tom Sturge will design the set and lighting. Bradley Reed will design costumes and props. Beth Berkeley is the sound designer. For reservations, call (206) 292-ARTS. The Fifth Avenue Theatre is located at 13-08 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle.

— By Christine Ehren