Dan's Papers - August 29, 2008

The Public Theater's superb revival of its landmark rock musical Hair makes a potent connection to our current times, with inspired physical staging by Diane Paulus that emphasizes the shared hunger for political change, a timely message for today. Passionately performed by an outstanding young ensemble under the moon and stars in Central Park, the triumphant production ends on a thrilling, upbeat note as the audience storms the stage for a joyous dance party in the reprise of "Let the Sun Shine In."

Set in the Vietnam era, the musical is an anthem to the idealism of flower power and pacifism, combined with an urgent plea for the end of the war that speaks vividly to our country's current involvement in Iraq. The glorious rock-pastiche score by Galt MacDermot is played with wild abandon by a 12-piece on-stage band. And the clever lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, the duo who also wrote the book, strike a witty inspirational tone that is the perfect compliment to the tale, told in a collage of interwoven vignettes. The story follows a group of New York hippies, known as the Tribe, as they attempt to keep one of their members out of the Vietnam War by whatever means necessary.

Director Paulus, who staged a raucous Turnadot: The Rumble for the Ring at Bay Street last season, is best known for the Off Broadway hit The Donkey Show. Her meticulous approach to the material embraces a visceral, free flowing atmosphere that is the hallmark of the musical itself. As she has done in previous shows, Paulus effectively makes use of the space, moving the actors into the audience to unify the connection, while honoring the liberating spirit of the musical and underlining the show's current social relevance. She has made judicious cuts to the book, adding to the momentum and emotional impact of the entire evening. And Paulus has drawn fully committed, overwhelmingly energetic work from the entire ensemble, resulting in a powerful evening full of marvelous performances enhanced by Karole Armitage's pulsating choreography.

The charismatic performers include: Patina Renea Miller, Will Swenson, Caren Lyn Manuel, Bryce Ryness, Jonathan Groff, Darius Nichols, Kacie Sheik, Allison Case, Megan Lawrence, Andrew Kober, Nicole Lewis, Saycon Sengbloh, Jackie Burns, Kaitlyn Kiyan and Megan Reinking.

What resonates most clearly from the nearly 40 songs performed by Paulus' extraordinary cast is the communal theme, which is essential to Hair. Paulus has created a unifying element that is ever-apparent in her fluid staging, which has her actors scampering all over the grass covered stage, bolting over a rear fence, and moving continuously into the audience.

Hair officially launched the Public Theater's downtown home on Lafayette Street in 1967, moving to Broadway the following year. Now, back with a production that is as good as it gets, let's hope the rumored talk of a move to Broadway will actually happen. How they will recreate the magic from the park setting is a challenge I don't envy, but I hope they can retain the evening's "be in" at the end of the show.

Hair opened on August 6, 2008 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Tickets are free (two per person) and may be picked up at the theater after 1 p.m. on the same day of the performance. Tuesday-Sunday, 8 p.m., now until September 14.

Theater critics Barry Gordin & Patrick Christiano are members of the Drama Desk. Barry is an internationally renowned photographer. Patrick is the artistic director of SivaRoad Productions. Visit their website at www.theaterlife.com