The Nebraska Repertory Theatre present the classic rock musical, “Hair.” Performances are March 27-April 7 in the Lied Center’s Johnny Carson Theater.
Fifty years after premiering in 1968, “Hair” continues to challenge the status quo while shining a light on the power of love over hate, peace over war, freedom over repression, and hope over despair.
“’Hair’ is just one hit song after another,” said director and Nebraska Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Andy Park. “It truly is just one of the greatest American musicals, and in a lot of ways, it redefined the American musical. It escaped the Rodgers and Hammerstein tradition and made the rock musicals possible. It laid the groundwork for “Tommy,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Godspell” and all the rock musicals we have today. It basically said we don’t have to do things the same way.”
The show originally premiered in 1968, which was a time of enormous social and political change.
“Lot of stuff was brewing at that time,” Park said. “The show is catapulting out of the conformism of the 1950s. You had Allen Ginsberg writing his famous poem ‘Howl,” about ‘I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.’ You had Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns breaking from abstract expressionism in the art world. Jazz music was changing. Ornette Coleman and Miles Davis were moving away from the structure of chord changes. Art, in general, was pushing new boundaries. So many things were changing.”
There was also a new thing called “Happenings” that were making their first appearance during this time.
“Alan Kaprow started doing these ‘Happenings,’ these gatherings of people where something would happen, and it would always be abstract and unexpected and surprising. It would be performative, but it wouldn’t rely on the same structure that was expected. With these happenings, the line between the spectator and the actor is blurred. That is one of the things we’re exploring in our production, where the audience is in the middle of it the whole time, and the actors are moving behind them and through them. They are part of the show.”
Many other things were happening at the same time—transatlantic flights and rockets going to the moon, shifting views on gender, race and sex.
“So many things were changing, as all of this was happening. It was just this thing was about ready to pop,” Park said. “I think that’s what ‘Hair’ captures. It perfectly captures this slice of time so powerfully. That’s one of the beauties of it. It’s a tremendous show.”
Beck Damron, a sophomore theatre performance major from Bentonville, Arkansas, plays Paul, a member of “The Tribe,” who are living in New York City in 1968.
“They are the long-haired youth who are protesting the Vietnam War and the draft,” he said. “Paul is a member of the tribe, and he’s been with them for some time now and is fully invested in this lifestyle. The tribe is his bread and butter. He loves Joni Mitchell and a good climbing tree.”
Damron likes the tribe aspect of the show.
“After all, that’s what the musical is about—the tribe,” he said. “The cast is amazing, and we all work together to tell the story, which is what I really love.”
Kate Schini, a junior theatre performance and English double major from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, plays Jeanie, a young woman who loves fully and deeply.
“’Hair’ is a musical that depicts the life of a tribe of hippies living in 1968,” she said. “It specifically follows the story of a few individual hippies and how they are dealing with the injustices of the world, as well as the draft of the Vietnam War. All of these characters symbolically represent the hippie movement and the ideals for which it stood.”
Schini said “Hair” is one of the most incredible productions she has been a part of.
“I have learned so much about myself as an actor and an artist from taking on the character of Jeanie,” she said. “I love telling her story and being present with every member of our cast. We are so lucky to be able to portray these characters and live this story.”
Music is an important part of the show, so a live band, under the musical direction of Vince Learned, will be there center stage.
“Music is just so important to the show,” Park said. “The show is not your typical narrative. It’s very impressionistic, so it’s not so much about character as it is about creating the impression of the time and capturing the mood and thrust of what was happening at the time.”
But Park said the show is still extremely relevant to today.
“From controversial presidents who make unilateral decision to the Black Lives Matter movement, the #MeToo Movement and the voices of Parkland,” he said. “That can be traced back to the youthquake movement of the 1960s. One of the reasons it’s important to do a show like this on a college campus is because throughout the ages, but especially here in America, it’s been the college students who have pushed the envelope, who have taken a stand. We depend on them, as a society, to push us beyond where we are right now. I think it’s a really empowering show, and I cannot wait for the audience to see it.”
Damron said he has gained a new respect for the hippie culture of 1968.
“I hope people leave the show wanting to Let the Sun Shine In,” he said.
Schini said audiences should expect to be challenged and taken out of their comfort zone.
“I think that the best kind of art is the kind that makes people question their opinions and thoughts,” she said. “‘Hair’ will ask audiences to be present with us hippies, to live in the moment, to be courageous, and to think about our world today. There are so many themes in this show that are very relevant today. This show will be asking us to take a look at our world today and see how we can make it better.”
She wants audiences to come with an open mind and an open heart.
“These characters are open and free, yes, but they also need to be heard,” she said. “They represent such an important time in American history. I think that our world and society today can learn a lot from what they have to say.”
“Hair” is currently sold out. Contact the Lied Center Box Office at (402) 472-4747 to check if additional tickets become available.
Warning: This performance contains adult content and themes.