The Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. will mark the 56th anniversary of the Broadway opening of the groundbreaking rock musical Hair with a panel discussion, special performance, and exhibition at the National Museum of American History. Planned for June 20 at noon ET, the discussion and performance will stream via Zoom.
The panel will comprise theatre critic Peter Marks, Broadway cast members Shelley Pimpton and Dale Soules, and Hair publicist Merle Frimark. Arts journalist Peter Pacheco will moderate.
The event's performance will feature cast members from Signature Theatre's current D.C.-area production of the musical. Following the discussion, attendees will be able to see objects from the museum’s Hair collection not usually on public display, and hear from curators Ryan Lintelman and Krystal Klingenberg about collecting the objects.
Originally premiering in 1967 Off-Broadway at The Public Theater, Hair follows a group of long-haired bohemians on the cusp of adulthood who champion freedom, pacifism, and joy. The work, with a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot, is among the first true rock musicals, with a song list that boasts such favorites as "Aquarius," "Let the Sun Shine In," and "Good Morning, Starshine." The musical notably brought hippie culture to mainstream Broadway, renewing the concept of theatre as activism, and has since been adapted for the big screen and returned to Broadway three times.
The Smithsonian event is free but requires registration. Those interested in attending in-person or via Zoom can register at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
