Hair
book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni
music by Galt MacDermot
October/November 2004
The Gallery Players, Brooklyn, NY
Producer: Matt Schicker
Director/Choreographer: Steven Smeltzer
Musical Director: Ken Legum
Set Designer: Roberto Sánchez-Camus
Lighting Designer: Michael Jones
Costume Designer: Jenna Rossi-Camus
Production Stage Manager: Jessie Jarosz
Cast: Katie Adams, Rocco L. Arrigo, Holden Berryman, Keith Broughton, Rashad Carter, Summer Corrie, Adam Enright, Barrett Hall*, Sharon Ingram, James Jackson, Kako Kitano, Julia Kushner, Paul Lane*, Vasthy Mompoint, Salvador Navarro, Rachel Alexa Norman, Sharisma Simmons, Steven Smeltzer*, Brandon Straka, Ben Tostado, Logan Tracey, Lisa Villalobos, and Aly Wirth*
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association
What I’m Most Proud Of: I’m so happy to have been part of bringing such an important and meaningful musical as Hair to The Gallery Players stage. The message of the show is still so powerful today and for the actors and the audience it was a cathartic experience every night. When discusses possible collaborations with director/choreographer Steven Smeltzer after our success with Drood, I mentioned Hair, and was so pleased to discover he had so much history with the piece, having toured Europe with it in the early 80s. It was wonderful to see him recreate the original staging with his own touches.
Our cast began bonding immediately, which meant that the relationships between the actors as well as characters were genuine and heartfelt. Here’s a publicity shot of the four principals I took on the first day of rehearsal. (l to r) Aly Wirth as Jeanie, Paul Lane as Claude, Logan Tracey as Sheila, and Barrett Hall as Berger.
The designers also brought such a passion to the show. Roberto Sánchez-Camus replicated actual protest signs from period photos provided to him by his in-laws, who were “hippies”.
Any production of Hair is an incredible bonding experience, and we’re all still friends today, and hang out from time to time. I can’t wait for my next Hair!
Reviews and Quotes:
“Steven Smeltzer directed and Matt Schicker produced a really great version of Hair. I don’t say that often. We all have spent decades involved with Hair. Many productions have been seen. In my case thousands of nights have been spent watching Hair. Your production was one of the best we have seen in a long time. The spirit, movement, and adherence to original qualities really gave us a super evening. Thanks you so much for reminding us of the great meaning of Hair..”
Michael Butler, Producer of the original Broadway and film versions of Hair.
“Hair at The Gallery Players in Brooklyn conjured many magic moments & memories…”
James Rado, co-author and star of the original Hair.
“The Gallery Players’ recent production [of Hair] was a sweet sense memory for this ancient actress. Its purity was so powerful because director/choreographer Steven Smeltzer understood, honored, and captured Hair’s simplicity. Together with his cast of gifted, gorgeous guys and girls (natural beauties all) and the support of his producer, Matt Schicker, The Gallery Players production recreated the organic innocence, honesty, and wisdom of the original.”
Annie Golden, star of first Broadway revival and film version of Hair.
“…a near-Broadway caliber production…”
Michael Portantiere, TheaterMania
“See this show because it’s simply terrific: an electric entertainment featuring a host of talented, enthusiastic young artists who make glorious theatre out of a work that was written before most of them were even born; yes, it’s in Brooklyn, but it’s the most vibrant and genuinely exciting musical in all of New York City this season.”
Martin Denton, nytheatre.com
“The production values were unexpectedly high for Off-Off Broadway.”
Off-Off Broadway Review
More Photos (all photos by Amit Desai and Roberto Sánchez-Camus):
The Tribe on the first day of rehearsal!
Paul Lane (seated) with (l to r) Logan Tracey, Barrett Hall, and Aly Wirth.
Paul Lane as Claude gets the “tar and feather” treatment from (l to r) Vasthy Mompoint, Sharisma Simmons, and Sharon Ingram.
Aly Wirth as Jeanie (center) breathes the fresh “Air”.
Barrett Hall (left) and Rocco Arrigo show respect for the flag.
One of the most powerful moments in Hair: Claude (Paul Lane) decides whether or not to burn his draft card.
Vasthy Mompoint sings “Walking in Space”.
Paul Lane as Claude and the cast of Hair.
“Let the Sunshine In”
Author and star of the original Hair, James Rado (center), greets Barrett Hall and Paul Lane after a performance.
Michael Butler (back, far left), producer of the original Broadway production of Hair and the film version, with the our cast and folks from the first National Tour.
Tony Award winner for Zorba, Lorraine Serabian, greets Barrett Hall and Kako Kitano after a performance.
Annie Golden, star of the 1970s Broadway revival of Hair and the film version, with The Gallery Players’ cast.
