Hair: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical

The 40th anniversary of the Public Theatre presentation of Hair could not have been more appropriately staged than it was this summer at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.  The outdoor venue, the trees, the lights, and most of all the actors playing out a script over 40 years old that is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.    Hair, The American Tribal Love Rock Musical was around long before AIDS, Bosnia, Global Terrorism and Facebook.    Yet somehow, this piece stands out as iconically in our national culture; a generation's emotions played out on stage.  Times certainly to change - - or do they?  Somehow we find ourselves in a similar situation today.  Different people, different countries, different economics and social norms - yet just about every song rings just as true today as it did in 1968 when Galt MacDermot wrote the music and Gerome Ragni and James Rado wrote the book.

On "stage" (mostly dirt and grass) this time is a talented tribe of modern day activists - Headliner Jonathan Groff (In My Life, Spring Awakening) is uber adorable and even more talented at the tender age of 23 as Claude.  He provides just enough fresh and innocent pared up along side his free spirited, hippie tribal peacemaker and protester.   Will Swenson (110 in the Shade) sinks his substantial chops (and gorgeous, well maintained body) into the tribal leader, Berger.  Patina Rena Miller, as Dionne, would have blown the roof off the theater if 

there was one in the opening number, Aquarius.

As a matter of fact, the entire tribe was filled with talent.  And as hard as i looked, i could not find one person who didn't look like they were having fun each and every minute of the performance. Liking your job is important is many industries.  No exception here.  

Tickets for this show can be obtained in two ways - you can donate $165 (or more) to the Public Theatre.  In return for that, they provide you with a ticket in advance to the show.  If you would like to get a free one - everyone queues up at 1pm in hopes of being one of the lucky 1200 to get one for that night's performance.  Most

 do.

On top of all this good stuff, you get to watch the show outside, in central park.  What more could you ask?  Run... don't walk... and get a ticket to the Be-In that's lasted over 40 years!

Damn Yankees

Another summer gem in the Summer Stars Encores! series.   Ironically, it's not really about the Yankees at all.  It's about the Washington Senators (go figure!).   George Abbott wrote the now stale and awkward book and Richard Adler and Jerry Ross wrote, for the most part, non-memorable numbers.  It wasn't much of a hit on Broadway, comparatively, but it has its moments.

Taking the helm this time around at the City Center are Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) as Applegate (the devil) making his New York theater debut; Jane Krakowski (Nine, Ally McBeal) making a sublime appearance as the seductive Lola; and Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu) demonstrating his powerful voice and gorgeous looks as Joe Hardy.   One of my all time favorites was also in the cast as Sister - the ever-hysterical, Veanne Cox (Company, A Mother A Daughter and a Gun).

The show to me was an awkward pastiche of scenes that sometimes did not appear to even connect with each other.  One minute boys on the baseball team are talking, the next they are doing a dance ballet (good, but why?).   One minute Lola and Joe are sad and the next they are dancing like Bob Fosse in a Hernando's Hide-a-way type club (good, but why?).  Other times the scene changes were so dramatic that it felt like you were flipping thru the channels on the TV trying to watch 3 different shows.   And what was that silly fan club talent show number (erp!) for??

The show does have a few memorable numbers - Whatever Lola Wants and my favorite A Little Brains, A Little Heart (with an emphasis on the latter!).  Jane Krakowski knocked them both out of the ballpark!  Sean Hayes scored big with his performance and showcased his talents playing the piano, singing, dancing, and hamming it up in Those Were the Good Old Days.

I doubt this one will transfer to Broadway - but like they say - you can't win 'em all.  In the meantime, steal third and check it out.  The stars of the show salvage what the show lacks.  You won't go home disappointed.

The Pajama Game

What a treat! There is simply nothing musically better on Broadway right now! The leading roles couldn't have been cast any better - - Chemistry... yeah chemistry. Harry Connick, Jr. and Kelly O'Hara were simply glowing the entire performance.

The story, of course, is one of those saccharine, 1950's style musicals! (based on the novel 7 1/2 cents). Lots of singing and dancing for no particular reason! More than one great tune you already knew - - "Steam Heat", "Hernando's Hideaway", and the song simply made for Harry Connick Jr to sing - "Hey There" (you with those stars in your eyes)... The supporting cast is the best kept secret too. Roz Ryan (Chicago, Ain't Misbehavin', Dream Girls), Michael McKeen (Lenny from Laverne and Shirley), and a cast of wonderfully fun and colorful dancers and singers.

And when Harry Connick Jr. opens his mouth - - I can only compare it to perhaps watching Barbra Streisand in concert. He was magnificent. (ok, i'm not even going to mention the part when he takes his shirt off - - ooohh child!). The trade off, you see, is that HCJ can't really dance very well and the acting was ok (better than i expected!). But I tell you that it won't phase you one bit! He more than makes up for it with his voice.

Unfortunately, this one is sold out - - so unless you're scalping a very expensive ticket you're going to have to just trust me on this one.

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL here we come!