Hair is going to London, new Broadway cast from 9 Mar

Hair is going to London, new Broadway cast from 9 Mar The Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is going to London in April with the original Broadway cast. A completely new 'Tribe' will debut in the Broadway production on 9 Mar 2010. Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of the Public Theater commented, "This is two thrilling announcements in one. First, we are sending the Public Theater's entire American cast to London to continue the amazing journey we began in Central Park in September of 2007. Second, we are forming a new Tribe, who will have a full rehearsal period under the inspired direction of Diane Paulus. This unique producing arrangement will ensure that we have two vital, organic productions of HAIR running simultaneously in New York and London." Diane Paulus, who commented from her office at American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA, said, "HAIR is a movement, and the movement is growing. With our current Broadway company spreading the 'love' in London, I am thrilled that another 'Tribe' will be born anew next Spring, and that they will take the show to a new level here in New York." She added, "With every step along the journey of making this HAIR, the show has changed and grown, and it is my absolute intention to continue that process with a new cast. I am looking forward to the unleashing of a new 'Tribe' and to this next, most exciting, moment in the life of HAIR." HAIR opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 31 Mar 2009, following previews from 6 Mar and is currently selling tickets through to 16 May 2010. The musical opened to mostly excellent reviews: Emotionally rich revival. (NY Times); A smile-inducing celebration of life and freedom. (NY Daily News); The most exciting new show in town. (Bloomberg); Gives Broadway a welcome jolt of energy. (The Record); If this explosive production doesn't stir something in you, it may be time to check your pulse."(Variety). With book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, and music by Galt MacDermot, HAIR is directed by Diane Paulus. The musical depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60's and 70's that changed America forever: the musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War. As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the "tribe" in HAIR creates a message of hope, peace and change that continues to resonate with audiences 40 years later. The cast for HAIR currently features Sasha Allen, Ato Blankson-Wood, Krystal Joy Brown, Steel Burkhardt, Jackie Burns, Heath Calvert, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Gavin Creel, Matt DeAngelis, Lauren Elder, Allison Guinn, Chasten Harmon, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Rachel Bay Jones, Kaitlin Kiyan, Andrew Kober, Josh Lamon, Caissie Levy, Nicole Lewis, John Moauro, Darius Nichols, Brandon Pearson, Vanessa Ray, Paris Remillard, Megan Reinking, Bryce Ryness, Michael James Scott, Hannah Shankman, Maya Sharpe, Kacie Sheik, Will Swenson, Ryan Watkinson and Tommar Wilson. HAIR was a phenomenal success when it first played on Broadway in the 60's, and again in 2008, when it was a hit at the Delacorte Theater. The musical is being produced on Broadway by The Public Theater, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Productions, 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. HAIR was the show that, in 1967, officially opened The Public Theater's long-time home on Lafayette Street. HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical has the distinction of being the first off-Broadway musical to transfer to Broadway, (It moved to Broadway on 29 Apr 1968 and ran for 1,873 performances).