Oskar Eustis, artistic director of The Public Theater, also announced that Eden Espinosa — seen on Broadway in Wicked and Brooklyn — has joined the cast in the role of Sheila.

Previews for the classic rock musical will now begin March 6, 2009, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre with an official opening scheduled for March 31. (Previews were originally scheduled to begin Feb. 10 with a March 5 opening. The dates have been modified to "accommodate the logistics of the new producing partnership.")

In a statement Eustis said, "We are delighted to welcome Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel onto the team of Hair. Their joyous and eager commitment has ensured that Hair will open on Broadway and bring its message of hope and love to an audience that has shown its own passionate eagerness to embrace this show. Hair has always been more than just a show; it's a cause. In these difficult economic times, it has been inspiring to watch the New York theater community come together around America's tribal love-rock musical and reveal that it, too, is a tribe: a tribe that will make sure Hair lives on. We have been honored to work with Liz McCann, and are pleased that she will continue to work on the show. The new cast members are also extraordinary additions to our production, and we are eagerly looking forward to rehearsals beginning at the end of this month."

Eustis added, "Part of the wonder of Diane Paulus' production this summer is that she revealed that Hair is both of its time and for all time. The rapturous audiences in Central Park responded to Hair not as a document of the past, but as a call for the future. 'Let the Sun Shine In' is not a promise, it's a plea – and now more than ever America needs the values of community and solidarity and peace of which Hair sings."

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.

Those who have purchased tickets for performances prior to March 6 will be able reschedule to another date and "will receive a special gift from the producers of Hair," according to a press release.

Complete casting will be announced shortly.