Gavin Creel Will Star in Broadway's Hair Revival; Espinosa Bows Out
By Adam Hetrick
and Andrew Gans
08 Jan 2009
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Gavin Creel
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Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel will star as Claude in the upcoming Broadway revival of the tribal love rock musical Hair, which is scheduled to begin performances March 6 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Creel will star in the role originated by Spring Awakening Tony nominee Jonathan Groff in the Public Theater's recent Central Park engagement of Hair. (Due to a scheduling conflict, Groff later exited that production and was succeeded by Cry-Baby's Christopher J. Hanke.)
"We are thrilled that Gavin Creel will be joining the tribe of Hair as Claude. We welcome him to one of the most enthusiastic, talented and beautiful casts on Broadway this spring," said Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis in a statement.
Wicked's Eden Espinosa, who was previously announced to portray Sheila in the Broadway revival, has withdrawn from Hair "for personal reasons."
Additional casting for the revival will be announced shortly.
In anticipation of the Broadway revival of Hair, Creel will perform a song from the rock musical as part of the Jan. 11 TimesTalk, which will also feature composer Galt MacDermot and Oskar Eustis.
Hair will officially open on Broadway March 31. The modified preview/opening dates allow for the new producing partnership that now includes Spring Awakening producers Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel.
The $5.5 million production of Hair will reunite most of the creative team of last summer's acclaimed outdoor staging at the Delacorte: director Diane Paulus, set designer Scott Pask, costume designer Michael McDonald, sound designer Acme Sound Partners and choreographer Karole Armitage. Kevin Adams will be the lighting designer.
Hair features book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot.
"With a score including such enduring musical numbers as 'Let the Sun Shine In,' 'Aquarius,' 'Hair' and 'Good Morning Starshine,' Hair depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60's and 70's that changed America forever: the musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War. As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the 'tribe' in Hair creates an irresistible message of hope, peace and change that continues to resonate with audiences 40 years later," state press notes for the Broadway revival.
Gavin Creel recently concluded performances in the London run of Mary Poppins in the role of cockney chimney sweep Bert. He made his Broadway debut at the age of 26, earning a Tony nomination for Thoroughly Modern Millie. He also appeared in the Tony-winning revival of La Cage aux Folles, as well as in the world premiere of Sondheim's Bounce.
Hair will play the following performance schedule: Tuesdays at 7 PM, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM and 7:30 PM.
For tickets phone (212) 239-6200 or visit Telecharge.
For further information visit HaironBroadway.
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre is located at 302 West 45th Street.
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