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Classic Age of Aquarius musical returns in all of its flower power glory
BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
BROADWAY REVIEW
Scarcely more than a year since “Hair” said farewell to Broadway following a goodly run, the Public Theater’s award-winning revival of the 1967 musical has returned for a summer visit.
Aside from mass changes in personnel, the touring edition that opened on Wednesday at the St. James Theatre appears little different than the previous “Hair.” So if you missed the show on its last go-round, here’s your chance to time-trip back to that famous Stoned Age of flower children, hippies and groovy vibrations.
The tunefully kaleidoscopic score by composer Galt McDermot and lyricists Gerome Ragni and James Rado remains an exuberant sampler of late ‘60s music styles while the loose, episodic text offers vivid flashes from an American era that was tumultuous and troubled yet hopeful in spirit.
Diane Paulus, the director, frequently sends the performers cavorting into the aisles and even up into the mezzanine to connect directly with viewers, while choreographer Karole Armitage puts them through a convulsive series of ritualistic dances that pulse with energy. Meanwhile the onstage band arranged atop a pick-up truck kicks out the memorable music.
