HAIR To Cancel 10/11 Performance And Join The National Equality March in Washington, D.C.

In an unprecedented move, the producers of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical have announced they are canceling the show's Sunday, October 11th performance so that the entire cast can join the National Equality March in Washington, D.C. The announcement was made this evening by the cast of HAIR at a spirited rally in Los Angeles (the entire company of HAIR has traveled from New York to California to appear on tonight's broadcast of "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien").

The cast was joined at the rally by National Equality March organizer and historic LGBT activist Cleve Jones, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) and a handful of other prominent equality advocates.

In a statement, Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater and producer of HAIR, said "The Public Theater has always aspired to make theater that matters, that speaks to the great social issues of our time. HAIR has never been just a show; its message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach. This is the moment when we need to recognize the right of all citizens, gay and straight, to have their love and their unions acknowledged by the state. We are proud to join with Cleve Jones and the National Equality March in support of gay marriage. Peace now! Equality now! Justice forever!"

Last May, civil rights activist David Mixner called for a national march on Washington in support of Equal rights for LGBT people, calling on prominent LGBT community leaders Cleve Jones and Torie Osborne to execute and organize it. Days later in Fresno CA, at a rally of approximately 5000 people from all walks of life protesting the California Supreme Courts decision to uphold Prop. 8, Cleve Jones stepped to the podium and committed to Mixner's plea. At that moment Jones' organization Equality Across America was born, along with its first mission: the National Equality March. Between now and October, Equality Across America will develop grassroots leadership in all 435 congressional districts to ensure that their message is heard loud and clear by elected officials all across America. In October 1979, LGBT activists from across the country marched on Washington to fight for equal rights towards all. Exactly 30 years later a new generation of equality activists will take to the National Mall and continue that fight -- and not quit until LGBT people are granted equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

Ticketholders for the Sunday, October 11, 2009 performance of HAIR, can exchange their tickets for a different performance of HAIR as follows: if you purchased your tickets at the box office, please bring your tickets back to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre Box Office (302 West 45th Street); if you purchased your tickets through Telecharge.com (either by phone, by mail, or online), you can exchange your tickets by phone with Telecharge.com Customer Service Department (212-239-6210 in the tri-state area or 800-543-4835 outside of the tri-state area); if you purchased your tickets from any other source, you must contact the original ticket-seller.

The 2009 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival, HAIR is currently playing to sold-out houses at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, where it has broken all of the house box-office records. The Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle also recently honored the production with their 2009 award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical. 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 began preview performances on March 6 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street, NYC) and opened to rave reviews on March 31, 2009.

HAIR is presented on Broadway by The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Executive Director) Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/WenCarLar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, Jam Theatricals, The Weinstein Company / Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, Joey Parnes and by special arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann.

For more information visit, www.HairBroadway.com and www.NationalEqualityMarch.com.

Photo by Ben Strothmann