In 1967, writers Gerome Ragni and James Rado joined with composer Galt MacDermot and a company of talented unknowns to create a new musical at Joe Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival. HAIR became a surprise hit, moved to Broadway in 1968, ran for more than four years, toured world-wide, and produced chart-topping songs like “Aquarius,” “Easy To Be Hard,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and “Let the Sun Shine In.” Revolutionary in its music, its content, and its performance style, HAIR became an enormous success, and brought radical changes to the musical theater.

Now, as a new generation embraces the music and movements of the ’60’s, the Prince Music Theater takes a fresh look at this landmark work. A youthful company of extraordinary talent, directed by Prince Associate Artistic Director Richard M. Parison, Jr., and a young rock band led by Music Director Eric Ebbenga, will bring a new production of HAIR to the Prince stage. Previews begin May 26 through June 1, with an opening on June 2 and running through June 17. For selected performances, tickets are 2 for 1 (phone orders and walk-up at the box office at 1412 Chestnut Street). [As part of the Prince’s Come Early, Stay Late events, audience members are invited to HAIR’s free BE IN, BE ACTIVE series: May 31 “40 Years of Public Outrage and Protest”; June 7 “HAIR: Then and Now – A Performer’s Perspective”; and on June 8 “40 Years of Sexual Revolution” (see details below).]

On opening night June 2, the Prince will welcome VIPS guests with a special “Summer of Love” opening night red carpet celebration, including a ‘60s DJs and fashion parade. HAIR brought to Broadway the winds of the youthful rebellion that swept the country in l967, with songs celebrating five movements that changed America: the anti-war movement, the Black power movement, the women’s rights movement, the sexual liberation movement, and the environmental movement. HAIR dared to “make love, not war,” and to bring to the stage topics until then rarely seen in musical theater, including war-resistance, the varieties of sexual experience, and the freedom of nudity.

Director Richard M. Parison, Jr. has been working on this production of HAIR for over a year. “HAIR has both an amazing theatrical legacy and a rich cultural tapestry.” he commented. “Galt MacDermot has been most helpful with his insights. We’ve set our production in Philadelphia’s own urban gathering place, Rittenhouse Square, and we are even bringing the audience into the experience with a special seating onstage. HAIR is absolutely of the moment, with all its exuberance and sense of endless possibilities – it is as imperative now as it was then.”

Prince Producing Director Marjorie Samoff has worked with two of HAIR’S creators – she produced one show directed by Tom O’Horgan in 1985, and two shows composed by Galt MacDermot. “Galt is an amazing composer,” she believes. “In HAIR, he created an astonishingly vibrant range of unforgettable music, from an anthem announcing the arrival of the age of ‘Aquarius,’ to a poignant pop song from Shakespeare in ‘What A Piece of Work Is Man!’, to a song of sexual revolution that has a kind of sweetness to it - and then brings the audience to its feet with ‘Let The Sun Shine In’.”

HAIR’s creative team is led by Prince Music Theater Associate Artistic Director, Richard M. Parison, Jr., (Dreamgirls, Annie Get Your Gun at the Prince) with Music Direction by Eric Ebbenga (Gemini: The Musical and MYTHS & HYMNS at the Prince; Caroline or Change at the Arden Theater); Choreography by Karen Getz (Suburban Love Songs at the Live Arts Festival and The Big Bang at Act II Playhouse). The creative team also includes Scenic Designer Todd Edward Ivins; Lighting Designer Shelley Hicklin; Costume Designer Mary Folino; Sound Design Consultant Otts Munderloh; Assistant Music Director Nicholas Cheng, Assistant Director Dawn Cowle with Puppets by Spiral Q Puppet Theater. HAIR contains mature content.

Tickets for HAIR are available at UpStages by phone at 215-569-9700 or online at www.princemusictheater.org. HAIR starts previews May 26, opens June 2 and runs through June 17. Show dates and times are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, and Thursday – Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees on Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $35-$55 with $10 Student and Rush tickets subject to availability. Each evening several onstage seats will be available for purchase. Use the code Aquarius on the phone or at the box office window by May 15th and get 2 for 1 preview tickets. The Prince Music Theater is located at 1412 Chestnut Street.

“BE IN, BE ACTIVE”

Free ‘Come Early, Stay Late’ events at the Prince
As part of its continuing commitment to enhance the theatre-going experience, the Prince Music Theater invites you to ‘Come Early and Stay Late’ at events that focus on this time in the spirit of the ‘60s, BE IN and BE ACTIVE!

May 31, 6:30 pm “Where Have All the Protesters Gone?” will explore the last forty years of politics of war with noted speakers Mark Miller, NYU Professor of Cultural Studies, and Carolyn Marvin, U-Penn Professor at Annenberg School of Communications. Moderated by Albert Innaurato, Writer in Residence, Prince Music Theater.

June 7, 6:30 pm “HAIR: Then and Now – A Performer’s Perspective” will discuss the impact of HAIR on society, theatre, and culture. Original Broadway cast member Natalie Mosco and others will be on hand to lead the discussion.

On June 8, 6:30pm “40 Years of Sexual Revolution” will explore the impact of the sexual revolutions in the 1960’s on contemporary society. Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum, and Nurit Shein, Executive Director of the Mazzoni Clinic, will be the panelists. Moderated by Albert Innaurato, Writer in Residence, Prince Music Theater.

BE IN, BE ACTIVE at Whole Foods on South Street Rooftop ‘60s BE IN!

May 12 – 2pm until 6pm Meet and sing-a-long with the cast of HAIR!

Join the Prince Music Theater, Whole Foods Market, Philly Weekly, WMGK 102.9 FM, Rachel.inc, digphilly.com and other sponsors to celebrate our BE IN, BE ACTIVE campaign. Bring the family to learn more about ways you can make a difference to the environment, your community and the world. Live music, and more…