Persistent Fans Rally to Keep HAIR on Broadway
By: Caroline Cole Jun. 17, 2010
|
Fans of Broadway's HAIR can be seen everyday in Times Square campaigning to keep the show from closing. As of now, the production is scheduled to close June 27, 2010. Click HERE to see a slideshow of HAIR fans rallying in NYC.
One supporter said, "It feels a little too late. We were all expecting it, but maybe not this soon.”
Two fans even confessed to seeing the show over 80 times since the posting of its closing announcement. Additionally, HAIR Fanatics have formed a Facebook Group group that has over 1,600 members. Group members are asking for fans to attend daily rallies, offering free tickets in return.
Cast member and Dance Captain for HAIR, Arbender Robinson, spoke of his concern for the production: “I still don’t understand why we are out here fighting for this and not the people who initially fought so hard to bring it to Broadway. The message of this musical goes beyond community and monetary success, it’s about the message: You always have a voice and you can always change the way things are with it.”
The show, which had recouped on Broadway, has been performing poorly as of late at the box office, grossing on average only 30% of its potential gross over the past severAl Weeks.
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. HAIR opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 W 45 Street, NYC) to rave reviews on March 31, 2009. The story of a group of young Americans searching for love and peace during the Vietnam era, HAIR is a timeless portrait of a movement that changed the world. Its groundbreaking rock score paved the way for some of the greatest musicals of our time. Now, the "Age of Aquarius" dawns again in this jubilant production, which is the winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle also recently honored the production with their 2009 award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.
The full Broadway cast of HAIR includes Annaleigh Ashford (Jeanie), Justin Badger (Tribe), Jeannette Bayardelle (Dionne), Nicholas Belton (Swing), Larkin Bogan (Tribe), Natalie Bradshaw (Tribe), Catherine Brookman (Tribe), Briana Carlson-Goodman (Swing), Diana DeGarmo (Sheila), Antwayn Hopper (Tribe), Erika Jerry (Tribe), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Swing), Rachel Bay Jones (Mom), Mykal Kilgore (Tribe), Josh Lamon (Margaret Mead/Dad), Nicole Lewis (Swing), Anastacia McClesky (Tribe), Vanessa Ray (Crissy), Paris Remillard (Tribe), Kyle Riabko (Claude), Arbender Robinson (Swing), Kate Rockwell (Tribe), Cailan Rose (Tribe), Rashidra Scott (Tribe), Jen Sese (Tribe), Wallace Smith (Hud), Lawrence Stallings (Tribe), Terrance Thomas (Tribe), Jason Wooten (Woof), Ace Young (Berger) and Emma Zaks (Swing).
A National Tour of HAIR is set to begin in October.
For tickets and more information, visit www.hairbroadway.com.
Photo Credit: Michael Le Poer Trench
Videos