Much of the Broadway cast of Hair originated their performances in a 40th anniversary concert presentation of the musical (presented by the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival) at the Central Park's Delacorte Theater in 2007 under the direction of Tony nominee Diane Paulus. The Public invited Paulus and the cast to return for a full production of Hair in summer 2008 as part of its Shakespeare in the Park season.
After three extensions at the Delacorte, producers moved Hair to Broadway in the spring of 2009 where it opened to rave reviews March 31. The musical took the Tony Award for Best Revival, and earned nominations for original Delacorte cast member Will Swenson and Gavin Creel, who was newly added for the Broadway production.
The London production, which will feature most of the 2009 Broadway cast, begins performances at the Gielgud Theatre on April 1. An official London opening has been set for April 14. Complete casting for the London engagement has not been announced.
A new Broadway tribe, including "American Idol" finalists Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, as well as Spring Awakening's Kyle Riabko, will begin performances at the Hirschfeld March 9.
The current cast of Hair features Sasha Allen, Jeannette Bayardelle, Ato Blankson-Wood, Steel Burkhardt, Jackie Burns, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Gavin Creel, Lauren Elder, Allison Guinn, Chasten Harmon, Anthony Hollock, Antwayn Hopper, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Rachel Bay Jones, Kaitlin Kiyan, Andrew Kober, Josh Lamon, Caissie Levy, Nicole Lewis, John Moauro, Darius Nichols, Brandon Pearson, Vanessa Ray, Paris Remillard, Megan Reinking, Bryce Ryness, Michael James Scott, Hannah Shankman, Maya Sharpe, Kacie Sheik, Will Swenson, Ryan Watkinson and Tommar Wilson. Hair has book and lyrics by the late Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. The Hair creative team includes set designer Scott Pask, costume designer Michael McDonald, lighting designer Kevin Adams, sound designer Acme Sound Partners and choreographer Karole Armitage.
Hair is presented on Broadway by The Public Theater, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/WenCarLar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, JAM Theatricals, The Weinstein Company/Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, Joey Parnes and by special arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann.
For further information visit HairBroadway.
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre is located at 302 West 45th Street.
