HAIR Plays MCCC's Kelsey Theatre, Now thru 5/4

The Theatre Program at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) takes audiences back to the turbulent, free-wheeling 1960s for the groundbreaking, exhilarating and heartbreaking musical "Hair." A product of the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution of that remarkable decade, "Hair" will be performed at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Fridays, today, April 25 and May 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, April 26 and May 3 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, April 27 and May 4 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on April 25.

An anthem to free love, the idealism of youth and the cost of war, "Hair" intertwines the stories of Claude, who is wrestling with what to do about his draft notice, Berger, who urges him to resist, and the Tribe, that just wants to "tune in, turn on and drop out." The story is embellished with an unforgettable musical score, featuring such numbers as the title song "Hair," as well as "Aquarius," "Easy to Be Hard," "Let the Sunshine In," and "Good Morning Starshine." The most recent Broadway revival of Hair came to the stage in 2008, with Time magazine writing, "Today 'Hair' seems, if anything, more daring than ever."

Director Lou Stalsworth observes that the show has taken on significant historical value. "My job is to lead a young cast back in time," he explains, noting that as part of their preparation for the show, cast members have been looking at old news reels, reading headlines, and listening to old music to provide context for their portrayals.

"They've worked hard and it's paying off," Stalsworth says, adding that his biggest directorial challenge is creating moments on stage that appear to have no structure, but are in fact carefully orchestrated.

"We anticipate an audience that will be a mix of those who lived through that era and a whole new generation that has only read about the '60s or seen movies that attempt to capture it," Stalsworth says.

Starring in "Hair" are: Reginald Brockington of Hamilton as Hud; Dan Johnson of Ewing as Berger; Mariah King of Dayton as Crissy; Liz Lackey of Hamilton as Sheila; Jonathan V. Polanco of Hamilton as Claude; Joe Schachter of East Windsor as Woof; and Tonya Treadwell of Ewing as Dionne.

"Tribe" members include Nicholas Andrejco of Mercerville, Dwayne Barnes of Trenton, Tia Brown of Lawrenceville, Christian DiTullio of Lawrenceville, Patrick Gallagher of Hamilton, Seret Gomez-Ryan of East Windsor, Domonique Jarrett of East Windsor, Elizabeth Koenig of Yardley, Alex Kornberg of Princeton, Maria Laurenti of Chesterfield, Mike Miele of Belle Mead, Zoe Morrison of Lawrenceville, Mina Ramzey, Caroline Scott of Skillman, Alden Stewart of Lambertville, Richard Ward of Hamilton Square, Darrell J. Watts of Plainsboro ,and Amariss White of Trenton.

In addition to direction by Stalsworth, the show is produced by M. Kitty Getlik, with choreography by Jody P. Person, musical direction by Anthony DiDia, and sets and costumes by Kate Pinner. The stage manager is Matthew Luppino. Lighting and sound design is by Robert Terrano, who will be assisted by MCCC students Eric Collins, Roodshield Deravil, Devin C. Dopson, Evan Griner, Nicholas J. Mastalesz, Starrika C. McCloud, Evan Pain, and Sean M. Palombi.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students and children. Tickets are available online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.

Pictured: "Hair" cast members include, from left, Tia Brown, Tonya Treadwell, Jonathan V. Polanco, Dan Johnson, Richard Ward, Reginald Brockington (back), Nicholas Andrejco, and Domonique Jarrett (kneeling); front: Caroline Scott.

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