It is one of my favorite musicals and was so excited to hear that Cygnet theater was going to be performing a reading of this amazing musical. The special benefit which was a two night benefit for the Artist Advocate Program had people on their feet by the end of the show grooving to the beat of the music. 

Hair the musical which debuted off Broadway in 1968 during the after math of the summer love was one of the very first musicals to be a product of the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution of the 1960s. The musical from the beginning was no stranger to controversy not only because of its storyline about the Vietnam War and the burning of draft cards but also because of its positive look at drugs, interracial integration, and sexual freedom.

“Hair” was a musical that helped change what was acceptable on stage. It was the first rock musical on Broadway, featured the very first same sex kiss and also the very first show to feature full nudity. In 1968 when the show debuted it was legal to have nudity onstage as long as no one was moving while naked. Also just prior to its debut on the West End the Theatres Act was established which ended Lord Chamberlain‘s powers of censorship which dated back to 1737.

There is nothing like LIVE theater especially when its a show like Hair and even though this was only a stage reading it was something that will touch your heart. The actors on stage really brought to life the script making you feel each and every emotion from happiness and joy to complete sadness and heartbreak. It is a reading that I wont soon forget and I am so glad I got to be a apart of this experience.

This is yearly tradition at Cygnet which stages readings musicals as a fundraiser,  past productions include Evita, Follies and On the 20th Century.

Partial Cast List: Tanika Baptiste, Kiana Bell, Jacob Caltrider, Michael Cusimano, Sarah Errington, Jack French, Caitie Grady, Cashae Monya, Benjamin Roy, Bailey Sooner

Hair: Book and Lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, Music by Galt MacDermot

CYGNET THEATRE  

Cygnet Theatre Company produces a year-round season of professional Off-Broadway-style theatre as well as thought-provoking and engaging educational programming. Cygnet is committed to maintaining high standards of artistic and fiscal integrity, and serves more than 40,000 patrons annually from San Diego and beyond. Cygnet performs its main stage productions at the state-of-the-art theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. An active member of the San Diego community, Cygnet has outreach programs serving tens of thousands of students and community members annually.  For more information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com.