Author: Eric Kleinsasser
The Occidental Theater Department presented their adaptation of the famous 1960s counterculture musical, Hair, this weekend, beginning on the evening of Friday, April 17 in Keck Theater. The production was director Alan Freeman’s last at Occidental.
Organizers took a unique approach to the production, seating much of the audience on the floor around the stage and interacting with them on multiple occasions. This version also included historic film clips projected on an overhead screen, featured a number of vocalist solos from students, and was backed by a professional orchestra.
Hair opens with Claude, a young western cowboy, bidding farewell to his father along a rural backdrop, as he departs for New York. Claude, played by Mieczyslaw Daniel (senior), has been drafted to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. An interlude follows with a rousing rendition of the musical number “Aquarius” accented with a fantastic vocal solo by Claire O’Connell.
Arriving in the city, Claude encounters a lively hippie tribe headed by the shaggy duo of Berger, played by Daniele Manzin (senior), and Neil-whose adopted title is Woof-played by Anthony Schaeffer (sophomore). Berger and Woof proceed to introduce Claude to the counterculture life of love, freedom, protest, and an assortment of hallucinogenic drugs.
Portrayal of the tribe’s acid trips is greatly entertaining, and the combination of creative costuming, acting, and lighting does a wonderful job of making the audience members feel as though they are getting high right along with the characters.
Through a few adventures partly revolving around Claude’s pursuit of the striking Sheila Franklin, played by Caitlin Wyman (junior), the tribe finds itself crashing a private party, in and out of police custody, and on the streets protesting violence and war. Integrated into the journey are several musical numbers that beautifully supplement the progression of the play.
Along the way, Berger wins the support of anthropologist Margaret Mead for the tribe, who generously decides to bail them out after their encounter with the law. In a subtle jab at recent changes to the academic departments at Oxy, Margaret initially declares to Berger, “Anthropologists-we were formerly respected scholars that have been replaced by the ‘critical theorists.'”
When Claude leaves for technical military training in Nevada, Berger catalyzes a dramatic exchange between them that eventually brings out misgivings from Claude. The second act shifts the tribe’s objective to embarking on an interstate quest to find Claude and break him out of the training base.
Audience participation is encouraged on multiple occasions, with some audience members participating on-stage in some of the musical numbers. Clips from the actual film Hair, as well as historic footage and live projections of the play, appear frequently on the screen over the stage.
As mentioned in the advertisements, nudity is a part of the production, but it remains tasteful and adds meaning to the overall message.
“Let the Sun Shine In,” the closing number, has everyone in the audience standing and, if they choose, singing along.
A unique approach, along with great acting and a special, distinguished style, make Hair exceptionally entertaining.
The production is an enjoyable showcase of the work done by the Theater Department at Occidental.
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