Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical Christopher J. Hanke to play Claude

The Public Theater has announced that Christopher J. Hanke will join the cast of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical at the Delacorte Theater for the final two week extension of the run (17 Aug to 31 Aug 2008)

Hanke will replace Jonathan Groff in the role of 'Claude' beginning 17 Aug 2008. Groff has a previously scheduled work commitment that precludes him from continuing with the production for the two week extension.

Hanke has performed leading roles on Broadway in 'Cry-Baby,' 'Rent' and 'In My Life.'. He has played lead roles in the national tours of Deaf West's 'Big River' (Tom Sawyer) and 'The Full Monty' (Ethan).

Directed by Diane Paulus with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot, Hair, which began previews on 22 Jul 2008, opens on 7 Aug 2008 playing through to 31 Aug 2008. The musical was originally scheduled to close on 17 Aug 2008.

Hair was the show that, in 1967, officially opened The Public Theater�s long-time home on Lafayette Street. Hair 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.

The cast for Hair also features Ato Blankson-Wood (Tribe), Steel Burkhardt (Tribe), Jackie Burns (Black Boys Trio/Tribe), Allison Case (Crissy), Lauren Elder (Tribe), Allison Guinn (Tribe), Anthony Hollock (Tribe), Kaitlin Kiyan (Tribe), Andrew Kober (Father/Margaret Mead), Megan Lawrence (Mother), Nicole Lewis (White Boys Trio / Tribe), Caryn Lyn-Manuel (Sheila), Patina Miller (Dionne), John Moauro (Tribe), Darius Nichols (Hud), Brandon Pearson (Tribe), Megan Reinking (Black Boys Trio / Tribe), Paris Remillard (Tribe), Bryce Ryness (Woof), Saycon Sengbloh (White Boys Trio / Tribe), Maya Sharpe (Tribe), Kacie Sheik (Jeanie), Theo Stockman (Tribe), Will Swenson (Berger) and Tommar Wilson (Tribe).

Hair will feature scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Michael McDonald, lighting design by Michael Chybowski, sound design by Acme Sound Partners and choreography by Karole Armitage.

Free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park are only distributed at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park or via a new virtual line opportunity at www.publictheater.org. The Public Theater is not distributing tickets downtown at 425 Lafayette Street due to ongoing construction on the exterior of the building.