When I was a teenager, I went through a flower child phase. I was completely entranced by hippie clothes, music, and hair. My fascination with it was so intense, my mom took me to see HAIR in San Francisco. While I didn’t remember a ton about the story, I always remember the impact the show had on me. I was thrilled to hear that I could relive my HAIR moment right here in Sacramento.
Based in the late 1960s, HAIR fully embraces hippie culture. The story primarily focuses on Claude, who has found a community in “The Tribe.” The Tribe expresses their freedom through sexual liberation, drug use, and protests against the government and Vietnam War. During this time, his parents inform him he has been drafted. Many members of the Tribe have already burned their draft cards, but Claude is reluctant to join in. Stuck between his family’s expectations and his community’s values, Claude must decide which path he should take.
HAIR is such a unique show to experience, and I am so happy that Broadway at Music Circus is performing the show now. Many people can relate to the struggles these characters face, and the highly political themes of the show reflect our current moment. With nudity, scandalous themes, drug use, and a rock and roll soundtrack, it is a show that anyone with a rebellious nature will love. The show does a fantastic job of balancing these defiant themes with somber reality-checking moments. This comes to a head at the end of the show, where I was left breathless. While I do not want to give away what happens, I will say that it was one of the most powerful endings to a show I have ever seen.
The cast was totally groovy. They made the show fun with little audience interactions—like begging for some changes or having the audience “arrested” for watching lewd acts in public. I was thrilled to see Billy Rude return after his run as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet. He did a fantastic job capturing the free-spirited Berger. If I am thinking of the typical disenchanted youth, I would immediately think of Berger. He leads the Tribe fearlessly and maybe a little recklessly. Andrew Cekala also did an amazing job portraying Claude. He is sweet and kind but ultimately just a young man trying to find his way in life.
As the first rock musical on Broadway, HAIR paved the way for future unconventional musicals. Even 58 years later, this show continues to surprise and shock audiences with its countercultural and vulgar themes. If you are looking for far out time that will take you on a real trip, don’t miss HAIR playing now through August 28 at the UC Davis Health Pavilion. Learn more here.
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