“Hair” still joyous, meaningful after all these years

STORRS — Get out your tie-died t-shirts, patchouli incense, and your fringe vests, because “Hair,” that 60’s iconic musical of love and letting it all hang out, is happening at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre through Saturday.
With such classics as “Aquarius,” “Easy to be Hard,” and the perennially upbeat “Let the Sunshine In,” plus many more, “Hair” still has a strong and pertinent anti-war message to impart.
In it’s day, it was the Vietnam War and the draft that the youth was railing against, but even today, without conscription, over 4,200 American soldiers have died in Iraq and hundreds of American soldiers lives have been lost in Afghanistan — something a blackboard outside the theater reminds the audience as they depart.
The University of Connecticut’s Connecticut Repertory Theatre combines graduate and undergraduate students with equity professionals, and here the lead role of the charismatic Berger is played by equity actor Fabio Monteiro and Sheila is dynamically played with a soulful, belting, strong voice, by Stephanie Umoh, also an equity member.
A perfect production for a large cast, where many get a chance to shine, like Noah Weintraub with an angelic voice as Woof singing the nasty song “Sodomy” and Hud, played by the lithe Philip AJ Smithey singing “Colored Spade,” with the ensemble, known as the tribe.
Claude, played by Brian Patrick Williams, is the show’s central character. Wanting to burn his draft card, but torn about breaking the law and going against his parents, Williams has a strong and clear voice and holds his own with the pros.
Everything about this production, directed by Gabriel Barre, is first rate, with kaleidoscope colored flower-power costumes by Lucy Brown, vibrant multi-level scenery by Jennifer Corcoran, and psychedelic lighting by Brad Seymour.
The backdrop projection is an inspiration of changing images from peacocks to stained glass to parachutes, and really makes the stage pop with energy.
Not that the troop needs any more energy than they already have. Extra special is the choreography, by Mark Dendy, with constant but meaningful motion and dance. The rock band, with brass backup, is super too.
There is some brief but intense profanity and nudity, so this isn’t a show for children.
Even puppets are used to fine effect, particularly when the gargantuan likeness of the incomparable American icon Kate Smith singing “God Bless America” appears.
The counter culture Timothy Leary mantra, “Turn on, tune in and drop out,” getting high on marijuana and LSD, and pre-AIDs indiscriminant free sex is celebrated in “Hair.” In its era society was going through an extreme pendulum swing in reaction to the repressive 1950’s that in hindsight clearly has its shortcomings and limitations.
While the show drags some in the middle of the second act, overall it is an enthusiastic dance down macramé lane for some, while love, questioning authority, and working for peace always remains relevant.

HAIR

Three ½ Stars
Theater: Connecticut Repertory Theatre
Location: Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Glenbrook Road, Storrs.
Production: Music by Gait MacDermot. Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Directed by Gabriel Barre. Choreography by Mark Dendy. Musical direction by Ken Clark. Scenic design by Jennifer Corcoran. Costume design by Lucy Brown. Lighting design by Brad Seymour. Sound design by Wilson Tennermann.
Running time: About 2 hours plus one 15-minute intermission.
Show Times: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. through May 2.
Tickets: General admission $11 to $29. Call 860-486-4266 or visit their website at www.crt.uconn.edu.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Fabio Monteiro … Berger
Brian Patrick Williams … Claude
Stephanie Umoh … Sheila
Philip AJ Smithey … Hud
Noah Weintraub … Woof
Rebecca Dale … Jeanie
Carolyn Cumming … Crissy
Meghan O’Leary … Dionne