HAIR depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60’s and 70’s that changed America forever. The musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War. As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the show resonates with an irresistible message of hope more than 40 years after it first opened on Broadway.

HAIR won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival as well as the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical. HAIR was also nominated for an additional seven Tony Awards including Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design. The cast recording was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Karole Armitage, HAIR features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot.

Without question, Hair is the most exhilarating and moving musical that I have ever seen. Everything about the people in Hair is every reason why I was born in the wrong time. Everything about this production is every reason why I love musicals. But what stands out about Hair is that there is a such constant flow of music, more constant than any other musical currently on tour… so much so that when there is talking, it’s actually a little odd. The music truly tells the story here. The score has such a constant flow that you continually feel the instruments roar through your body and the lyrics reach in your soul. The music is timeless as are the messages throughout the story. Such power. I love it.

When you think about the times, so many things still have not changed and that is one of the aspects that really draws so many viewers in. It’s remarkable how time can pass and so many different generations come through and yet there still the same conflict. And in all of that, hippies have fears too. Love prevails and peace attempts to, there’s fun and all of that but the members of the tribe are human too. There’s more to sex and drugs to these individuals and Claude’s situation shows that. While the show has been changed quite a bit since the original off-Broadway opening, the messages have not been changed and still stay close to our hearts. They will always be in your heart after seeing this production.

Hair is visually stunning in its set, wardrobe, characters, and choreography which is beautiful, so free. The characters are so colorful, rich, and have a depth that can only be completely appreciated when you can throw away judgement and welcome vulnerability. It doesn’t matter if you were in the movement from the 60s – mid 70s or are a teenager today, Hair will resonate with you for more reasons than none. The audience participation will certainly add a spice to your theatre experience as well.

Yes, I joined the tribe onstage at the end of the performance for the dance party and I recommend that you do the same. It is such a powerful moment, words can’t even describe. But if I had to, the words that come to mind are pure joy. You will leave the theater on such a high and be rejuvenated with life like never before. Such positivity. Such realness. Such talent. What a character Steel Burkhardt (Berger) is. Fantastic casting. I was impressed with the cast, including Marshal Kennedy Carolan (Claude), Sara King (Sheila), Mike Evariste (Hud), Phyre Hawkins (Dionne), Kaitlin Kiyan (Crissy), Aleque Reid (Jeanie), and Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Tribe) among others that I was blown away by. The lungs on these people. Wow. Simply put, the 2009 Tony Award Winning Musical for Best Revival of a Musical coming to Philadelphia made my Broadway season.

Hair runs at the Academy of Music January 3-8, 2012. The show runs at approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes, including intermission. Tickets range from $20-$100 and can be purchased by telephone (215-731-3333), the Kimmel Center Box Office, or online.