"Hair" has always been one of my favorite musicals, and still is. To this day, 40+ years after it was written, I am still struck by the strength and originality of the book, lyrics, and music. When the (needlessly) controversial show first hit the stage in the late 1960s, and its music inspired some hugely successful singles by some popular singers (most notably, "Hair" by the Cowsills, "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In" by the Fifth Dimension, and "Good Morning, Starshine" by Oliver), I was too young to understand the message that the show conveyed. I just enjoyed the music.
But, as I grew older and saw various productions of the show, I fell in love with it all.
And the show's message is still as relevant today as it was 40 years ago: Peace, love, and tolerance. Harmony and understanding. Sympathy and trust abounding...
And now there's another reason to be a fan of the show.
The cast of the current Broadway revival of "Hair" (which won the 2009 Tony Award for best revival of a musical) will be taking part in the October 11th National Equality March in Washington to support same-sex marriage.
The producers have canceled the Sunday matinee performance that day so that the cast can join the march.
As the show's artistic director, Oskar Eustis, explained, "[Hair's] message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach."
For that the show deserves a huge standing ovation.
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