Hair: The Public Theatre's revival to preview on Broadway in Feb and open early Mar

According to an Equity casting notice, the Public Theater's Broadway transfer of the critically acclaimed off-Broadway revival of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is expected to open on Broadway on/about the 5 Mar 2009, following previews from/about the 13 Feb 2009, at a theater to be be announced.

The casting notice is for the role of 'Sheila' played by Caryn Lyn-Manuel at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park earlier this year.

The casting notice reads " Sheila: 20s. She is a wild and dynamic activist with the political t-shirts and buttons to prove it. A student at NYU. Her passionate involvement in things, be it causes or people, can be a source of humor for onlookers. Obsessed with Berger. We are particularly interested in considering women of diverse cultural backgrounds for this role."

There has been no cast announced for the Broadway production, but the casting notice suggests that with the exception of Caryn Lyn-Manuel (Sheila), the remaider of the principle cast may star in the Broadway productioin.

Directed by Diane Paulus with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot, Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical has been playing to sold-out houses since it began previews on 22 Jul 2008 in Central Park, where it will close on 14 Sep 2008 after three extensions.

�The success of Hair has been thrilling, proving that this show speaks as powerfully today as it did 40 years ago,� said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. �Now our job is to give it a life beyond Central Park, where we can reach as large an audience as Hair deserves. We�re moving the show indoors, but the celebratory joy of this production will remain intact.�

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical 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).

Further details about the Broadway production will be announced shortly.