HAIR tells the story of a group of friends choosing to speak up and sing out in celebration of love, life and freedom. The first great rock musical, it has some of the most rousing and soulful songs ever written for the stage, including "Let the Sun Shine In," "Easy to be Hard," "Good Morning Starshine," "Aquarius" and the infectious title song, "Hair."
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Hair: An American Tribal Love-Rock Musical History
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On October 17, 1967, Joseph Papp and the New York Shakespeare Festival burst open the doors of the Public Theater at 425 Lafayette with the world premiere of Hair. This “American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” was a harbinger of what would become the driving principle of the Public’s mission: to bring the issues of the day directly to its stages. Originally directed by Gerald Freedman and choreographed by Anna Sokolow, Hair was deemed outrageously radical for its direct representation of the day’s counterculture, including the language, dress and lifestyle of hippies; its exuberant rock score; and its anti-war message.

The production had a brief pit-stop at the Cheetah, a popular discotheque, for a limited run. But the show was destined for Broadway. With a new creative team in place, including director Tom O’Horgan and choreographer Julie Arenal, the writers completely re-imagined Hair by expanding and restructuring the script, as well as adding 13 new songs (including “Let the Sun Shine In”) and the controversial use of nudity. O’Horgan (best know for his experimental work at La MaMa) and Arenal brought to the production a sense of freedom and spontaneity, introducing an organic, expansive style of staging, the likes of which had never been seen on a Broadway stage. Produced by Michael Butler, Hair opened at the Biltmore Theatre on April 29, 1968, to rave reviews, with Clive Barnes of The New York Times proclaiming, “Twenty-five years ago a little-heralded musical, Oklahoma!, stared a Broadway revolution with its gusto and freshness. The time has come for another revolution, and Hair could be the musical to start it.”

Hair quickly wove itself into the cultural fabric of our country with its message of peace and love. The show has been performed around the world and was turned into a motion picture, directed by Milos Forman, in 1979. Songs from Hair have been recorded y countless artists, including Shirley Bassey, Nina Simone, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Oliver, Three Dog Night, The Cowsills, and of course, The Fifth Dimensions.

Forty-one years after its original opening, Hair was once again presented by the Public Theater, this time as part of its free Shakespeare in the Park season after a successful three-day concert presentation the year prior. Directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Karole Armitage, Hair once again became a must-see event, inspiring an inevitable return to Broadway. With the passing away of Gerome Ragni in 1991 and Tom O’Horgan early 2009, we have lost some of the Hair progenitors, but they and the many collaborators and former tribe members of Hair have left an extraordinary legacy. The Age of Aquarius dawns again.

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Category: Musical, Revival, Broadway
Setting: The 1960s.  The East Village
1^st Preview Performance: March 6, 2009
Opening Night Performance: March 31, 2009
Final Performance: June 27, 2010
Total # of Performances: 519

Awards & Nominations:
2009 Tony Award^® Best Revival of a Musical (winner)
2009 Tony Award^® Best Actor in a Musical – Gavin Creel (nominee)
2009 Tony Award^® Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Will Swenson (nominee)
2009 Tony Award^® Best Choreography – Karole Armitage (nominee)
2009 Tony Award^® Best Direction of a Musical – Diana Paulus (nominee)
2009 Tony Award^® Best Costume Design of a Musical – Michael McDonald (nominee)
2009 Tony Award^® Best Lighting Design of a Musical – Kevin Adams (nominee)
2009 Tony Award^® Best Sound Design of a Musical – Acme Sound Partners (nominee)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical (winner)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical – Will Swenson (nominee)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Bryce Ryness (nominee)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Choreography – Karole Armitage (nominee)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Costume Design – Michael McDonald(nominee)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical – Kevin Adams (nominee)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Set Design of a Musical – Scott Pask (nominee)
2009 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Director of a Musical – Diana Paulus (nominee)

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Opening Night Production Credits 

Opening Night Cast
Sasha Allen (Dionne, White Boys Trio)
Ato Blankson-Wood (Member of the Tribe)
Steel Burkhardt (Member of the Tribe)
Jackie Burns (Member of the Tribe)
Allison Case (Crissy)
Gavin Creel (Claude)
Lauren Elder (Member of the Tribe)
Allison Guinn (Member of the Tribe)
Anthony Hollock (Member of the Tribe)
Kaitlin Kiyan (Member of the Tribe)
Andrew Kober (Dad, Margaret Mead)
Megan Lawrence (Mother, Buddahdalirama)
Cassie Levy (Sheila)
Nicole Lewis (Member of the Tribe)
John Moauro (Member of the Tribe)
Darius Nichols (Hud)
Brandon Pearson (Member of the Tribe)
Megan Reinking (Member of the Tribe)
Paris Remillard (Member of the Tribe)
Bryce Ryness (Woof)
Saycon Sengbloh (Member of the Tribe, Abraham Lincoln)
Maya Sharpe (Member of the Tribe)
Kacie Sheik (Jeanie)
Theo Stockman (Member of the Tribe, Hubert)
Will Swenson (Berger)
Tommar Wilson (Member of the Tribe)

Swings: Briana Carlson-Goodman, Chasten Harmon, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Josh Lamon, Ryan Link, Michael James Scott.

Understudies: Steel Burkhardt (Berger), Jackie Burns (Jeanie, Sheila), Lauren Elder (Mother), Allison Guinn (Buddahdalirama), Chasten Harmon (Dionne), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Claude), Kaitlin Kiyan (Crissy), Josh Lamon (Dad, Margaret Mead), Ryan Link (Berger, Woof), Megan Reinking (Jeanie), Paris Remillard (Claude, Woof), Michael James Scott (Hud, Margaret Mead), Saycon Sengbloh (Dionne), Theo Stockman (Dad), Tommar Wilson (Hud).

Theatre Owned / Operated by Jujamcyn Theaters (Rocco Landesman: President; Paul Libin: Producing Director; Jack Viertel: Creative Director; Jordan Roth: Vice President)

Produced by The Joseph Papp Public Theater / New York Shakespeare Festival (Oskar Eustis: Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson: Executive Director), Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Productions, Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America (John Gore, CEO; Thomas B. McGrath, Chairman; Beth Williams, COO & Head of Production), Barbara Manocherian/Wencarlar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, Jam Theatricals, The Weinstein Company/Norton Herrick and Jujamcyn Theaters (Rocco Landesman: President; Paul Libin: Producing Director; Jack Viertel: Creative Director; Jordan Roth: Vice President); Produced by arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann; Associate Producer: Jenny Gersten, Arielle Tepper Madover, Debbie Bisno/Rebecca Gold, Christopher Hart, Apples and Oranges Productions, Tony & Ruthe Ponturo and Joseph Traina

Book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado; Music by Galt MacDermot; Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado; Music orchestrated by Galt MacDermot; Musical Director: Nadia Digiallonardo

Directed by Diane Paulus; Choreographed by Karole Armitage; Assistant Director: Allegra Libonati and Shira Milikowsky; Assistant Choreographer: Christine O'Grady

Scenic Design by Scott Pask; Costume Design by Michael McDonald; Lighting Design by Kevin Adams; Sound Design by Acme Sound Partners; Wig Design by Gerard Kelly; Associate Scenic Design: Orit Jacoby Carroll; Associate Costume Design: Lisa Zinni; Associate Lighting Design: Aaron Sporer

Executive Producer: Joey Parnes; Company Manager: Kim Sellon; Associate Co. Mgr: Leslie A. Glassburn

Production Stage Manager: Nancy Harrington; Stage Manager: Julie Baldauff; Assistant Stage Mgr: Elizabeth Miller

Musical Coordinator: Seymour "Red" Press; Conductor/Keyboard: Nadia Digiallonardo; Assistant Conductor/Keyboard: Lon Hoyt; Guitar: Steve Bargonetti and Andrew Schwartz; Bass: Wilbur Bascomb, Jr.; Woodwinds: Allen Won; Trumpet: Elaine Burt, Rondald Buttacavoli and Christian Jaudes; Trombone: Vincent MacDermot; Percussion: Joe Cardello; Drums: Bernard Purdie

Advertising: SPOTCo, Inc.; Press Representative: O&M Co.; Casting: Jordan Thaler and Heidi Griffiths; Marketing: Allied Live; Sponsorship: Rose Polidoro; Photographer: Robert J. Saferstein

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“THE ULTIMATE AMERICAN ROCK MUSICAL!” – Ben Brantley, The New York TImes

“AN EXHILARITING RIDE!” - USA TODAY

“HAIR SPEAKS TO A WHOLE NEW GENERATION!” – TimeOut NY

“BREATHTAKING!” – New York Post

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SASHA ALLEN (Dionne) is a Gemini who loves to love and is one of the most sought after vocalists in the music industry today. With her roots in theater, she sings for world tours, platinum albums, and Grammy Award winning artists like Leona Lewis, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Usher, John Legend, and Babyface. She is featured on Christina Aguilera's "Back To Basics" DVD, John Legend's Once Again, Babyface's Playlist, starred in the cult film, Camp; and is releasing her solo album.

GAVIN CREEL (Claude) is a total Aries and has a groovy rescue dog named Wally. Gavin had glasses, braces and bad skin growing up and thanks God for all of those things. He loves his parents a lot and dreams of having a family of his own someday. Gavin has no patience for people who perpetuate inequality in the guise of “religious belief,” and is grateful for HGTV. If you’re happy and you know it, join the tribe. For Melbel.

CAISSIE LEVY (Sheila) believes in love not H8 (marriage equality now!), and believes in YOU for being here to experience this moment with our beautiful tribe. Caissie most recently starred as Elphaba in the Los Angeles production of Wicked, a role she also performed on Broadway. Other highlights include Penny Pingleton in the Broadway and 1st national touring companies of Hairspray, Maureen in the national tour of Rent, and Willis in the New York premier of The Yellow Wood. She recently performed a solo concert for the US Military Academy at West Point. MDJRD www.caissielevy.com

DARIUS NICHOLS (Hud) is a classic Aries man.”HOLLA”! Broadway: South Pacific - Original Revival Cast (ensemble), 110 in the Shade - Original Revival Cast (Jimmy u/s). Off-Broadway: Zanna, Don't! - Original Cast (Buck); Junie B. Jones - Original Cast (Sheldon). National tours: Fame the Musical (Goody). Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar starring Billy Porter (Peter), Five Guys Named Moe (NoMax), Smokey Joe's Café (Ken), Disney's Aida (ensemble). Proud member of Actors Eqity and THE UNITED STATES OF LOVE!

VANESSA RAY(Crissy) My favorite kind of Love is the hopeful kind. This tribe is that kind of love. Grateful to be a part of it. Careful ‘cause magin happens!! Not like “poof” magin, the real kind. My happies are the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, bikes and fireworks at baseball games. Dad, Mom and Peter, thanks for believing with me. Hug someone today, we need each other. God=Love

BRYCE RYNESS (Woof) is so happy to be alive. He is a son, brother, friend, lover, enemy, and now a father (Mercy Jane Runess, born 9/4)! Bryce was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his portrayal of Woof. Broadway: Legally Blonde (Aaron, u/s Emmett). Off-Broadway: Hair (Public), Crossing Brooklyn (Transport Group). Regional: L.A. premiere of Floyd Collins (Ovation nom.). Tour: Rent (Roger). Bryce fronts the rock band RYNESS: www.myspace.com/RYNESSband. Love.

KACIE SHEIK (Jeanie) Broadway debut! Scorpio Singler/songwriter/believer. Kacie first saw Hair in 1990 when it was performed on an episode of "Head of the Class." NY: Hair (Jeanie) Shakespeare in the Park. Las Vegas: We Will Rock You (Scaramouche). Film: Julie and Julia.

WILL SWENSON (Berger) Will has been in a bunch of shows, and feels that it is important to be good to people. He is thrilled to have the same green eyes as his Mom Sally, who called everything glorious! Will thinks anyone should be able to get married if they want to. He believes in the results of transcendental meditation, and prefers breathing to suffocating. Virtue is bold and goodness never fearful. Scorpio, of course.

ATO BLANKSON-WOOD (Tribe) is so thrilled to be making his Broadway debut and walking in space with this amazing group of people!!! Off-Broadway - Hair. B.F.A. from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts - CAP21 and The Experimntal Theater Wing. Thanks to his family and friends for their undying support. Dwen Hwe Kan. LOVE.

KRYSTAL JOY BROWN (Abraham Lincoln, White Boys Trio, Tribe) is a Sagittarius/Capricorn who believes in dreams and miracles. She is thankful to her family, friends and agents who are all magical and never stop believing in her. Fave creds: Mimi (Rent, national tour), Monique (Streetlights, Off-Broadway), Crystal (Little Shop of Horrors). Currently she is recording an album and is proud to be joining this AMAZING Tribe, making her B-way debut! Live now! Equality now!

STEEL BURKHARDT (Electric Blues Quartet, Tribe) is a creature of Zen. He lives in a Big Purple house with mom, Dad, Doc and Kenz. This is Steel's Broadway debut. Off-Broadway: Hair (The Public Theater). Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Spitfire Grill, Kiss Me Kate. Graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College. AEA.

JACKIE BURNS (Black Boys Trio, Tribe) is a Libra, so yes, she is a very balanced person! This is Jackie's Broadway debut! NY credits: Rock of Ages, Hair (Public), Unlock'd (NYMF) Regional: A Grand Night for Singing (CT Critics Award), Full Monty (Estelle), Singing in the Rain (Kathy Seldon), Joseph (Narrator), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Mystery of Edwin Drood (Helena Landless), Candide (Paquette), various Smokey Joe's (Shimmy girl and Pattie). She has also worked for Disney and Norwegian cruise lines.

HEATH CALVERT (Tribe) is a capricorn mountain goat who’s lived in nine states and loves all of them for warping him into a meteorite that landed in a Peruvian amazon. He’s feeling very thankful towards his wonderful teachers, friends, unwitting co-conspirators and this beauteous tribe. He has his own definition of extraordinary rendition that still involves blindfolds, but much less pain and embarrassment. Gracias madre, padre et ma belle soeur. Thanks kSR. All people from other places are precious.

LAUREN ELDER (Tribe) Lauren feels so excited to make her Broadway debut as a hippie! She also appeared in Hair in Central Park and the 40th Anniversary concert. Recently, Lauren has sung at many NYC clubs, including Jazz at Lincoln Center and performed with The Honeybuns, a 1940s-style trio. She studied musical theatre at Circle in the Square Theatre School.

ALLISON GUINN (Tribe) Allison is making her Broadway debut! New York credits include Williamsburg! The Musical (2007 Fringe Festival NYC), Urinetown as well as Victor/Victoria with The Gallery Players of Brooklyn, and Red Hot Mama: Hard Rock Comedy of New York City. Holding a B.A. in Theatre from East Tennessee State University, and Circle in the Square Theatre School's Professional Program, Allison is also a proud member of Actors‟ Equity Association. She believes in the human spirit and its resilience. www.allisonguinn.com

RACHEL BAY JONES (Mother, Buddhadalirama, Tribe)is the Scorpio daughter of a pair of actors-turned-health-food-store-proprietors who always encourage her to be who she is and eat her alfalfa sprouts. She has a guy names Benim, who has a little girl named Cordelia. And she is the happy mother of radiant Miranda, who reminds her that love really is all there is. She is over the moon to be part of this hairy community and enjoys writing about herself in the third person. Gratitude to The Mine and to Dave T. Solo album, ShowFolk. www.rachelbayjones.com

KAITLIN KIYAN (Black Boys Trio, Tribe) is proud to be making her Broadway debut in Hair! Kaitlin made her professional debut in Hair in the summer of 2007- Delacorte Theater/Central Park. She moved to New York from Hawai'i to attend LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts (Graduate 2008). The best times of her life have been spent with this cast and crew and she is overjoyed to be a part of this loving tribe! LOVE!

ANDREW KOBER (Margaret Mead, Dad, Tribe) Andrew is making his Broadway debut reprising his role from last summer's Shakespeare in the Park production of Hair. Other credits include the First National Tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Full Monty at Westchester Broadway Theatre, and his one-man show, Koberet. BFA Acting from Carnegie Mellon University. www.andrewkober.com

JOSH LAMON (Principal, Hubert, Tribe) aCapricorn, hails from a tiny village north of the Mexican border known as San Diego. He headed east to pursue his love of tiny apartments, hummus and Betty Buckley. He’s been seen as Boq (Wicked 1^st nat’l),Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors opp. Christiane Noll) and Snail (A Year with Frog & Toad, Barrymore Award). LOVE to my family, friends and TRIBE! In loving memory of Jorge. PS = Boradway debut…get into it!

NICOLE LEWIS Aretha, White Boys Trio, Tribe) Broadway: Lennon, Rent (Joanne). Off-Broadway/Regional: Happiness (Lincoln Center Theater workshop); Hair (Delacorte Theater); Boy Gets Girl (MTC); The Me Nobody Knows (NYC workshop); Constant Star (Hartford Stage); The Tempest (Williamstown, Act I Co.); The Threepenny Opera (with Bebe Neuwirth) & Tartuffe (A.C.T., San Francisco), The Wiz, Once on This Island, Children of Eden. TV/Film: "Law & Order: SVU", "Naked Brothers Band", and the title role in London Betty. B.A., Yale University; M.F.A., A.C.T. San Francisco.

JOHN MOAURO (Tribe) is LOVE! He started this journey with Hair in the 2007 concert version and then in last summer's Shakespeare in the Park cast. Regional and favorite credits include: Honk! (Ugly), Into the Woods (Jack), Hair (Claude), Jesus Christ Superstar, Dames at Sea, and WSS. BFA, Kent State University. Proud member of Equity. Love!

BRANDON PEARSON (Tribe) This is Brandon's Broadway debut. Equal marriage rights for all!  Off-Broadway: Hair (NYSF), Tours/Regional: Rent, Hair, Once on this Island, Joseph and the Amazing..., Miss Evers' Boys. Film: The Darker Side of Romance.

MEGAN REINKING (Black Boys Trio, Tribe) is a Taurus with the moon in Pisces. She loves cats, Abraham Lincoln, guacamole, her priceless family and friends who prove the world can be better, Madame Nicolosi & Friends, epic rock music, movies, and every one of YOU for being here. This is her Broadway debut in a show with-out vampires.

PARIS REMILLARD (Tribe) Paris entered this world nonviolently via the Leboyer birthding bethod with the sun in Aquarius and the moon in Aries. This is Paris's Broadway debut. Off-Broadway: Hair, The Public Theater; Regional: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Lysander), The Shakespeare Theatre; Anthony and Cleopatra (Eros), The Guthrie Theater; Hair (Tribe) 5th Avenue Theatre; Much Ado About Nothing(Claudio); Hamlet (Guildenstern); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph); Forever Plaid (Frankie); My Fair Lady (Freddy); Comedy Sports. Film/TV: Good Morning Baby, "CSI: Miami."

MAYA SHARPE (What A Pice Duo, Tribe) The sun rises/my heart touches my spone/butterflies ignite the world turning everything into light/I remember the moon. It’s my first time here with my tribe, my lady, my loves. I’m a Leo baby on a bike who loves ma mere et mon pere. We must fogive others as much as we forgive ourselves. Beadsflowerfreedomhappiness. Love.

TOMMAR WILSON (Tribe) is a Scorpio born on the mean streets of Topeka, Kansas. If he knew how to water ski, he probably wouldn’t, but he loves wine, cooking and his dog Cletus.Broadway: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Music Man, Hairspray, Never Gonna Dance, Lestat, and national tours of Mamma Mia! and Ragtime. He's also been honored to perform with The Alliance Theater, Actors Theater of Louisville, Trinity Rep., Playwright's Horizons, Papermill Playhouse, the MUNY and The Vineyard Theater among others. Also an aspiring writer and director. Graduate of The Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. www.tommarwilson.com

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