As previously reported, tribe members from Hair will participate in the Oct. 11 Equality March on Washington that seeks to establish equal rights for LGBT citizens in all states. The 2009 event comes 30 years after LGBT activists first marched on Washington in October of 1979 to fight for equal rights.
Activists are seeking marriage equality, adoption rights, workplace discrimination reform, hate crimes legislation, immigration reform, school anti-bullying policies, as well as repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
The 2:30 PM public rally on Aug. 28 will take place at the Delacorte Theater, home of the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park. Participating in the rally will be gay rights activist Cleve Jones, Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis, Wicked and Next to Normal producer David Stone, as well as Hair Tony nominee and Broadway Impact founder Gavin Creel.
"The theatre community has always been a force for change. This rally will give us the chance to come together to spread the message of Equality and hopefully encourage others to join us at the National Equality March in October," Creel said in a statement.
"The Public Theater has always aspired to make theatre that matters, that speaks to the great social issues of our time," Eustis said in a previous statement. "Hair has never been just a show; its message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach. This is the moment when we need to recognize the right of all citizens, gay and straight, to have their love and their unions acknowledged by the state. We are proud to join with Cleve Jones and the National Equality March in support of gay marriage. Peace now! Equality now! Justice forever!" The closest entrances to the Delacorte are located at 81st Street and Central Park West or 70th Street and Fifth Avenue.
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The cast of Hair features Tony nominee Gavin Creel as Claude, Tony nominee Will Swenson as Berger, Sasha Allen as Dionne, Caissie Levy as Sheila, Allison Case as Crissy, Kacie Sheik as Jeanie, Bryce Ryness as Woof, Darius Nichols as Hud, Megan Lawrence as Mother and Andrew Kober as Margaret Mead/Dad.
Tribe members include Steel Burkhardt, Brianna Carlson, Lauren Elder, Allison Guinn, Chasten Harmon, Anthony Hollock, Jay Johnson, Josh Lamon, Ryan Link, John Moauro, Ato Blankson-Wood, Brandon Pearson, Paris Remillard, Maya Sharpe, Theo Stockman, Tommar Wilson, Jackie Burns, Kaitlin Kiyan, Nicole Lewis, Megan Reinking, Saycon Sengbloh and Michael James Scott.
The Broadway revival of Hair earned the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The critically acclaimed production also earned Tony nominations for Best Direction (Diane Paulus), Best Choreography (Karole Armitage), Best Actor (Gavin Creele), Best Featured Actor (Will Swenson), Best Sound Design (Acme Sound Partners), Best Lighting Design (Kevin Adams) and Best Costume Design (Michael McDonald).
Featuring book and lyrics by the late Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot, the Broadway revival of Hair opened on Broadway March 31 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
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