Hair is returning to Broadway

The Tony Award-winning revival of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, directed by Diane Paulus, is to retrn to Broadway, opening at the St James Theatre on 13 Jul 2011, following previews from 5 Jul, and run through to 10 Sep 2011.

Hair's return to Broadway follows on the heels of its first national tour of 20 cities in 9 months during the 2010-2011 season and will feature original revival cast members Steel Burkhardt as 'Berger,' Paris Remillard as 'Claude,' Matt DeAngelis as 'Woof,' Kaitlin Kiyan as 'Crissy,' Darius Nichols as 'Hud,' Kacie Sheik as 'Jeanie,' London cast member Phyre Hawkins as 'Dionne 'and Central Park cast member Caren Lyn Tackett as 'Sheila.'

The cast also includes: Shaleah Adkisson, Emily Afton, Nicholas Belton, Larkin Bogan, Corey Bradley, Marshal Kennedy Carolan, Laura Dreyfuss, Mike Evariste, Lulu Fall, Tripp Fountain, Nkrumah Gatling, Allison Guinn, Josh Lamon, John Moauro, Christine Nolan, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Arbender Robinson, Cailan Rose, Tanesha Ross, Sara Ruzicka, Jen Sese and Lee Zarrett.

Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of the Public Theater commented, "We are delighted to welcome the Tribe back to New York after a year of spreading Hair's message of peace, love and justice across the United States. Now more than ever we need to Let the Sun Shine in!"

Director Diane Paulus said, "Taking Hair across America has deepened the show in ways I could never have imagined. The tribe that is coming back to Broadway has traveled the country together. They are a true tribe. For me, they are the "best of" cast -- original Broadway company members, people who joined us for our London run, and the youngest new cast members who joined the tour and will now be making their Broadway debut."

Following its strictly limited summer engagement, the Hair tour will continue across the country.

Winner of the of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Hair opened on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 31 Mar 2009 and played more than 500 performances before closing on 27 Jun 2010.

The Broadway revival of Hair began life Off-Broadway as part of the Public Theater's annual free summer theatre event in Central Park's Delacorte Theatre, known as Shakespeare in the Park, where it played an extended engagement from 22 Jul - 14 Sep 2008.

Hair 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 musical received 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).

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. The story of a group of young Americans searching for love and peace during the Vietnam era, Hair is a portrait of a movement that changed the world.

The creative team also includes Scott Pask (scenic design), Michael McDonald (costume design), Kevin Adams (lighting design) and Acme Sound Partners (sound design).

Hair is presented on Broadway by The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director), Joey Parnes, Nederlander Productions Inc., Carl Moellenberg/Wenlarbar Productions, Rebecca Gold/Myla Lerner, Rick Costello, Joy Newman & David Schumeister, Paul G. Rice/Paul Bartz, Debbie Bisno, Christopher Hart Productions, John Pinckard, Terry Schnuck, and by special arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann.