I am spoiled. If I like something, I will see it a million times (if I can). So, when the touring production of "Hair" pulled into Boston recently, I ended up seeing it four times.
And over that time, I really got to enjoy the cast. They are fun, talented, happy individuals who truly give their all at every show. Yesterday, spoiled me got driven to Schenectady, NY to see the show again.
The best part was that the cast remembered me (it may have something to do with my 'shocking yellow' glasses that sort of stand out. They gave me so much joy, I felt it was time to give them all a shout out.
PHYRE HAWKINS as Dionne: The opening curtain is filled with a full moon, and when it drops and PHYRE comes out on stage singing 'Aquarius', she warms the theater up like the sun. Beautiful, amazing voice, and the power of 10,000 suns.
STEEL BURKHARDT as Berger: Charismatic, funny, and a bit of man-child, Burkhardt's Berger is easy to like, and someone you want to hang out with all day. He's whimsical, silly, and intense. This is one Berger that everyone will want.
MATT DEANGELIS as Woof: Sympathetic, gentle, and a romantic, Matt imbues the character with such heart.
KAITLIN KAYAN as Crissie: Her solo is poignant and full of longing. "Frank Mills" sends chills down my spine as you feel the want in her voice. She is absolutely delightful to watch throughout the performance.
DARIUS NICHOLS as Hud: A crowd-pleaser! Darius makes Hud instantly likeable showing him as a man aware of his color, but not letting it put him 'to the back of the bus' (as he says before one of his songs). A full on sexy performance with a voice range from the deepest bass, to clear, high notes.
PARIS REMILLARD as Claude: Freewheeling and fun in the beginning, Paris slowly builds the intensity of his performance as we follow Claude's journey. By the time he starts singing the last number, the tears are already in my eyes. I know what's coming, but I can't look away. Great vocals on display, and a stunning, shocking transformation by the end of the play.
KACIE SHEIK as Jeanie: Cute, dizzy, full of love. Jeanie is a girl with a bit of a problem. Unrequited love, a baby on the way...and yet her days are filled with joy, and she shines brighter than most, and has some very amusing lines that break up the house.
CAREN LYN TACKETT as Sheila: I believe in Love! What an awesome performance! (what do you expect from a Boston gal?!) Sheila represents hope and change. A college student who protests to fight for what she believes in. Her passion shines through in everything she does. How can people be so heartless to her? It's a crime. Watching the energy just radiate out of her as she sings is a joy.
Josh Lamon: This man is a triple-threat! The man goes from Margaret Meade to a member of the Tribe with flawless perfection. That old fashioned melody never sounded so good.
Allison Guinn: This woman has got quite a range. Her Buddha number always makes me laugh. She is hilarious as the face of 1947, and watching her beat her chest with tears in her eyes during 3-5-0-0 is an emotional experience.
THE TRIBE: The 'tribe' are no background players, but characters that shine and stand out on their own right. If you are just watching the lead characters, and ignoring the tribe, then you are missing out on 85% of the play. Each dancer/actor/performer is doing their own thing, but it works together as a whole when put together. I don't know who to focus on, so I try to focus on them all. There is a reason to see this play many times, and one of the reasons is to catch all of The Tribe doing their thing. Members like...
Nicholas Belton: Sexy, great dancer, beautiful smile.
Mike Evariste: If there is a smile brighter and more heartfelt than his, I'd like to see it, because i won't believe it.
Marshal Kennedy Carolan: This guy bounces all over the stage like a kid on a playground. You can clearly see how much fun he is having onstage. It carries over into the audience every time. Thanks!
Lulu Fall: The sexiest, most soulful Abraham Lincoln on the planet. The voice like a gift from above.
Nkrumah Gatling: Tireless, masculine, exuding the playfulness that is on display so often throughout the show.
Emmy Raver-Lampman: Every time I look at her, she just makes me smile. And when she returns that smile, there's nothing better. And she makes one hell of an Aretha! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
Sara Ruzicka: This woman can sing and dance! (not that the others can't), but there is something about her that you can't take your eyes off of her....she is intense! A firecracker!
Jen Sese: I love watching her. Seriously, she reminds me of my sister (that's a compliment)
Lee Zarrett: Principal doodyhead! (is that the line?) I love his big hat and rich voice.
Cailan Rose: This woman is a power-house. Listening to her aria-like wail during the be-in gives me the chills every fucking time. She bounces around on stage like the tazmanian devil! She jumps, she shouts, she screams. And I lover her outfit. the kerchief and the pig tails are absolutely adorable.
Christine Nolan: She wasn't there the day I was in Schenectady, but I remember her from Boston. Seductive, tantalizing, she moves like nothing I've seen before. She was sorely missed yesterday.
I may have missed one or two people, and if so, I TRULY apologize, because the cast as a whole is great. The show drives me to tears EVERY TIME I see it, such is the power of the acting from this amazing case.
As good as the solo numbers are, the show SHINES when the whole cast is singing together. It starts out fun, hopeful, and bright, and slowly..the show gets a little darker and more intense. And as dark as it gets, it still manages to end on a somewhat hopeful note, that no matter what, be true to yourself, and the sun will shine on in.
Thanks to every damn person in the cast, crew, (and that amazing band!).
I'll see you again in Broadway in August. And in 2012 in Philadelphia. Your hard work is truly appreciated here, and I will sing your praises (along with the soundtrack to this show) as loud as I can.
Ron Thibodeau
"The Man in the Yellow Glasses"
Oh, and for those of you who want to go, here's a list of the cities where you can catch it: http://www.hairontour.com/schedule.php
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