The "Long, Beautiful Hair" Story
It was an ordinary day. We are on a bus trip to New York with my Mom and Dad. They had invited us to go along to see the Broadway Musical "Hair." It was billed as an "American Tribal Love-Rock Musical." First rock musical ever on Broadway. I'm not sure they actually knew what this meant, but then again maybe they did! Carol was a few months pregnant with our first child at the time so a love rock musical was appropriate for her. The musical was written by two young actors, Gerome Ragni and James Rado, who were inspired to create a musical for the NY stage. In 1964 they started writing their creation and in 1966 were introduced toGalt MacDermot who wrote the music for the play. "Hair" tells the story of a "tribe" of politically active, long-haired hippies living inNew York City and fighting against the Vietnam War. Their fictional character "Claude", whose most valuable possession is his hair, faces induction into the Army and the apparent loss of his hair. The show opened finally at Public Theater on October 17, 19676, only to last about 6 weeks. Critics objected to the profanity, depiction of the use of illegal drugs and anti-establishment content. Many found the use of rock music in a theatrical performance vulgar. The nude scene at the end of Act One was a matter of considerable concern. After a few short weeks it opened on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre
on April 29, 1968 and ran for 1,750 performances. It traveled the globe and opened again on Broadway in 2009. People started to love the profanity, vulgarness and especially the nudity in the show. We had great seats for the show. About 15 rows from the stage, front right. Neither Carol or I had ever seen a Broadway Show and this was a real treat for us. The music was fantastic. Songs such as Good MorningStarshine, Easy to Be Hard, Sunshine, Aquarius and of course Hair where all performed in the show. At the end of the first act all participants enter the stage performing a song and most start to take their clothes off. Why? Does it matter? I hear Mom say to Dad, "Paul, they're taking their clothes off!!" Duh! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
It was an ordinary day. We are on a bus trip to New York with my Mom and Dad. They had invited us to go along to see the Broadway Musical "Hair." It was billed as an "American Tribal Love-Rock Musical." First rock musical ever on Broadway. I'm not sure they actually knew what this meant, but then again maybe they did! Carol was a few months pregnant with our first child at the time so a love rock musical was appropriate for her. The musical was written by two young actors, Gerome Ragni and James Rado, who were inspired to create a musical for the NY stage. In 1964 they started writing their creation and in 1966 were introduced toGalt MacDermot who wrote the music for the play. "Hair" tells the story of a "tribe" of politically active, long-haired hippies living inNew York City and fighting against the Vietnam War. Their fictional character "Claude", whose most valuable possession is his hair, faces induction into the Army and the apparent loss of his hair. The show opened finally at Public Theater on October 17, 19676, only to last about 6 weeks. Critics objected to the profanity, depiction of the use of illegal drugs and anti-establishment content. Many found the use of rock music in a theatrical performance vulgar. The nude scene at the end of Act One was a matter of considerable concern. After a few short weeks it opened on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre
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