BWW Interviews: HAIR's Steel Burkhardt!

The moon is in the Seventh House and Jupiter is aligning with Mars on Oct. 25 - Nov 20 at the Golden Gate Theater where the Tony-award winning Hair is getting ready to open. It's definitely the place to Be-in! Leading the Hair tribe is actor Steel (yes, that's his real name) Burkhardt, whose long tresses and loincloth are set to bring back the 60's revolution in the city where it all began.

Burkhardt began his career by following in big brother Meridoc's footsteps, doing shows and taking voice lessons. He gives a shout-out to his agent Tony and says that he's more than excited to be here doing Hair in San Francisco.

BroadwayWorld.com's Linda Hodges had the chance to interview the Broadway star about the show, his thoughts on the darker side of the 60's movement, the craziest audience member they've had and more. That interview follows.

Welcome to San Francisco, Steel! This is where it all began - hippies and the Summer of Love, Be-ins in the park, flower power; sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. You and the tribe have been together for a while now. Do you feel like you're coming home to the mother ship by playing San Francisco?

I'll tell you that this has been one of the stops that the tribe has been looking forward to the most... especially since we get to play here for four weeks.

And I'll bet that you'll have full houses for the entire run. Do you have any plans to make a pilgrimage to say, Golden Gate Park or the Haight? Will you visit the hangouts of Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead?

When I get to a city I don't usually have plans. I just kind of wander around and end up places. Perhaps I will wander to those locations you suggested!

Well, I'm sure that no matter where you go you will love the City by the Bay. Now, Steel, you play Berger in the show. Unless you have a great plastic surgeon, I'm guessing that you were too young to have experienced the counter-culture of the 60's. Did you do a lot background study to prepare for the role?

Jim Rado, who co-wrote Hair, was always around to tell us what really happened. And, besides the basic knowledge I got from my public schooling, the Hair Stage management and assistant directors of Hair, provided us with books and pamphlets. Also, doing the show for as long as I have, you get a lot of people who lived in that time period come up to you and tell you their experiences.

I'm sure that you'll get even more former (or still?) hippies talking to you about that era here in the City. Do you think if you'd been a teen or college student in 1967 that you would have been a hippie?

I really don't know. Most likely, I would have been like my father who was never a full on hippie, but what I call a closeted hippie. That's someone who doesn't dress it, but still has it in their heart and soul.

Hmmm...a hippie sympathizer. Nice! A lot of native bay area residents talk about the dark side of the summer of love when many teens left home and were lost to drugs, STDs or both. Does Hair explore that aspect of the movement?

This production of Hair is set before that dark side really started to surface. It was the beginning when it was just too good to be true. The character Claude explores a little of that side and really decides the lifestyle is not for him, but this production is more about the energy and heart that was a part of the hippie movement.

What do you personally think about the dark side of the movement?

That dark side to me was thousands of teens looking for something better and there just not being enough weed!!!!

And now for a present day comparison. No doubt you've heard of the protests taking place on Wall Street. The hippie movement came about in response to the Vietnam War and the desire for equality, peace and love. What is the lasting message of Hair in your opinion?

That as long as people stick up for what they think is right the government and the establishment has to listen to their voice. That is the beauty of democracy, whether is works or not.

What is your favorite thing about Hair? About playing Berger?

The freedom of it. How every night is different depending on the audience reaction and our interaction with them.

Yes, the audience is really a key component of the show. What is the craziest audience participation story that you have?

A gentleman during the dance party one night started to take his pants off. Some of the people on stage stopped him, but I was disappointed because I thought it would have been amazing!

That could have been a show-stopper for sure. Why do you think the show has such mass appeal for young people?

This production takes on that early 90's rock n roll feel and mixes it with the music from the 60's so it really moves. Also, the show is about acceptance. Teens around the country, as well as around the world, are looking for their parents, friends, lovers, etc., to accept them - gay, straight, whatever!!!

I agree. That's why I'm so glad that the show is here for a month. The Bay Area has been instrumental in getting that message of acceptance out to the world. Hair is definitely a favorite here! What is your absolute favorite part of the show? Favorite song?

The music and lighting at the beginning of the trip and when Dionne sings 'My Body is walking in Space.' Just the best!

What has been the strangest reaction to the tribe baring their buns?

I don't think there has been a strange reaction, I mean; we get applause, walk-outs, shout outs, and shock. There is nothing strange about those reactions.

Good point! A cast can be like a family. What's it like to work with this particular tribe?

It feels exactly how you described it - like a family.

I thought as much.  How do you keep the energy up week after week?

How do I keep up the energy... a whole lot of sex, drugs, and flower power!

Oh - you'll fit right in here - and probably in a lot of American cities. Just kidding!  So, Steel, we're getting close to the end of our interview. It's been great talking with you and getting to know you a little better. What's next for you?

It's been great talking with you, too. What's next for me is working alongside singer/songwriter Gavin Creel to spread the word of Equality across America!

Fantastic! And now for my last question: If you had to describe Hair in one sentence what would it be?

An American Rock Tribal Love experience that WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!

You hear that San Francisco? Come see Steel Burkhardt and the tribe in Hair, Oct. 25 - Nov 20 at the Golden Gate Theater.

Thanks, Linda!

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