Kirk Van Wormer
"Hair" cast members are (left to right) Jamie Cooper, Stephanie Layton, Erin McDowell, Jason Thompson, Jodi Hooper, David Devine and Haleaka VanHorn.

'HAIR' force

Director finds new relevance in notorious musical's message

ROSS RAIHALA THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- To director Jennie May Donnell, the timing of Capital Playhouse's production of "Hair" is impeccable.

"It's all really coming around again," said Donnell. " 'Hair' shoves all these questions in our face that we still need to address."

The infamous hippie musical, which opens tonight in Olympia, was created by two out-of-work actors, James Rado and Gerome Ragni, who wanted to capture the spirit of the late 1960s in a Broadway-bound musical.

"Hair" examined the social and sexual revolutions of the time and also looked at war, drug use, religion and morality.

While it broke many of Broadway's conventions, "Hair" enjoyed a successful run there for 1,742 performances, from 1968 to 1972.

Capital Playhouse artistic director Jeff Kingsbury chose the play early last year and had hoped to convince the Oregon-based Donnell to direct. She initially refused.

"Jennie May was here (acting in) 'Company' on Sept. 11," said Kingsbury. "We watched the attack together in my living room. And that's when she decided to do it."

Donnell, who lives in Takilma, Ore., said after watching the terrorist actions in New York and Washington, D.C., "Hair" made more sense than ever. "I couldn't say no because I felt it was the only way I could affect what is happening in our world today," Donnell said. "I felt like I had to do this project."

In staging the musical, the 41-year-old Kingsbury and 49-year-old Donnell soon realized just how familiar the show's songs -- such as the title track and "Aquarius" -- are to an entire generation.

"I can't believe what a cult following this has," said Donnell. "People here have grabbed me and said they had seen the show 10 times.

"And when I had the score in front of me, I was amazed (to remember) just how popular it was. It was a force. People know all of these songs."

People also remember one of the aspects of "Hair" that helped it gain all that notoriety in the first place -- the on-stage nudity. "Almost to a fault, everybody has asked if we're going to do it," said Kingsbury, who added "Hair" is Capital Playhouse's best-selling show of the season.

And to answer that oft-asked question, yes, there will be a few naked bodies on display.

"There is brief nudity. We're handling it graciously," said Donnell.

"Actually, I think people will be wishing we had more nudity."

Ross Raihala covers entertainment for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5406 or rraihala@ olympia.gannett.com.

'Hair'

- What: A production of the "American tribal love-rock musical" that first debuted in 1967. Galt MacDermot wrote the music, while Gerome Ragni and James Rado collaborated on the lyrics and book. The musical contains some nudity.

- When: 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday, March 27-30 and April 3-6. Matinees will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 31 and April 6.

- Where: Capital Playhouse, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia.

- Tickets: $17-$22 adults; $12-$17 students and seniors. The March 27 show is a pay-what-you-can performance.

- For information: Call 360-943-2744.

On the Web:

- Capital Playhouse

For more local news go to the South Sound Living section.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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