Photo Flash: First Look at HAIR at The Barn Theatre

The Barn Theatre presents HAIR, the first and most famous of rock musicals, with music by Galt MacDermot and book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Barn Producer Brendan Ragotzy directs HAIR for the fourth time, having made his directorial debut with the 1989 production, then reviving his hit for the 1995 and 2005 seasons. It will be the Barn's sixth time to offer this history-changing musical. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the tribe in action below!

This year's production of HAIR features the entire Barn company and stars favorites ­­­­Jamey Grisham as Claude, Kevin Robert White as Berger, Melissa Cotton as Sheila and Eric Tsuchiyama as Woof. Barn Guest Artists include Donica Thornton (last seen in the Barn's 2005 HAIR) as Dionne, and newcomers Khnemu Menu-Ra as Hud, ­­­­­Dwayne Everett Johnson as Ronny as well as tribe members Toni Martin, Raven Dockery and Rendell De Bose.

HAIR grew out of the emotional turmoil of the Vietnam War years and addressed itself blatantly and irreverently to a world that needed to be jolted. It is a loosely structured musical exploring the loves and antics of a tribe of hippies on the night before one of them is to be inducted into the Army and shipped to Vietnam. These hippies and flower children welcome the dawning of the Age of Aquarius by opposing the draft, the work ethic, and accepted standards of behavior and dress. HAIR focuses on the brotherhood of man, the human body, love and peace. Though HAIR is known as a musical of the late '60s, it questions the standards of morality, sexuality, individualism, racism, violence, drug use, loyalty, and social acceptance which remain problems in the America of today.

The "American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" (as it was billed) was first presented on October 27, 1967 at the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theatre, and later moved to a Broadway nightclub called Cheetah. It later moved to Broadway for an engagement at the Biltmore Theatre, where it ran for 1,750 performances. Galt MacDermot's incredible score is the key to HAIR's vitality and excitement. Five of the show's songs - "Aquarius," "Let the Sunshine In," "Hair," "Good Morning, Starshine," and "Easy to be Hard" are forever established in the international pop music repertory.

HAIR is Directed by Brendan Ragotzy and Choreographed by Jamey Grisham. Musical Direction by Matt Shabala. Kerith Parashak is Scenic Designer and Michael Wilson Morgan has designed Costumes. Properties are designed by Bethany Edlund and Lights are designed by Paul Collins. Sam Silva is Sound Designer. Technical Direction by Nick Hoovler. Garrylee McCormick is Hair/Wig Designer.

HAIR runs now through August 17. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM. The Barn Theatre is located on M-96, west of Augusta. Tickets are $35.00 for all performances. New this season - Kids Prices $25.00 Kids 12 and under. The Box Office is open daily 10:00 am-10:00 pm. Tickets may now be purchased on the internet or on your smart phone via PayPal at www.barntheatre.com. To reserve tickets at the Box Office, call today: (269) 731-4121.

Kevin Robert White as Berger with the Cast

Jamey Grisham as Claude, Kevin Robert White as Berger with tourists

Melissa Cotton as Sheila, Jamey Grisham as Claude, and Kevin Robert White as Berger with the Tribe