Hair Documentary Makes TV Premiere July 27

By Andrew Gans
and Adam Hetrick
July 27, 2009

"Hair: Let the Sunshine In," the new documentary tracing the birth of the 1967 musical, makes its U.S. broadcast premiere July 27.

Sundance Channel will air the film at 9 PM ET; check local listings.

Directed by Pola Rapaport, this illustrated history of Hair examines "the origins, impact and enduring power of the 'tribal love-rock musical' that opened Off-Broadway in 1967 and moved to Broadway in 1968," according to press notes.

The current Hair revival, winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, plays the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Diane Paulus directs.

The documentary "captures preparations for the recent, Tony Award-nominated revival as it weaves together archival footage (including a cast performances on 'The Tonight Show') with the candid recollections of 'Hair' veterans, including co-creator/ star [James] Rado, composer [Galt] McDermot, director Tom O'Horgan and performers Melba Moore, Ben Vereen, Keith Carradine and Mary Lorrie Davis."

"Hair: Let the Sunshine In" is also available by visiting AliveMind.