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Hair, Part Deux
So I scored a ticket to the opening of Hair at the Delacorte last night. They couldn't have picked a better night for the opening--it was absolutely beautiful when I walked up at about 7:30 to get the ticket. My seat was Section L, Row T, waaaaaaay back but center--and bonus, there was no one next to me! I had a place to put my purse.
This was one of the few times I've been able to see a production of this caliber more than once--this time I was able to pay a lot more attention to the direction and choreography, and appreciate both better. I especially like the staging of the Be-In--there's this sort of tryptich thing going on there with whirling dervishes and whatnot that I think looks really cool. I noticed that Sheila is completely alone onstage during "Easy to be Hard" which...hmmm. Okay, I guess I can see that, my problem is that isn't Berger supposed to hear her, since he tacitly apologizes right after the song? I also think there's a danger of the song then turning into a solo show piece, as opposed to a dramatically motivated plea. I did notice that some of the performances had evolved maybe a little bit too much--there was definite milking going on! I had some ideas about how I'd like to stage it and was waiting until intermission so I could jot them down.
Which....looks less likely at this point, since the show is getting a-ma-zing reviews! I imagine they are considering it for a transfer to Broadway--although I think this production (and this cast) deserve it, I also think some of the magic may evaporate when it is no longer under the stars.
Addendum:
Forgot to add that just as the cast was finishing up "Let the Sun Shine In"--I mean, JUST as they'd stopped--the rain poured in. It was an instant deluge, and very cool to clap for all of them and witness on the onstage dancefest in the pouring rain. I got soaked, obviously, but it was a blast, and the energy in the place went crazy. IA fitting metaphor for the underlying sadness in this piece.
This was one of the few times I've been able to see a production of this caliber more than once--this time I was able to pay a lot more attention to the direction and choreography, and appreciate both better. I especially like the staging of the Be-In--there's this sort of tryptich thing going on there with whirling dervishes and whatnot that I think looks really cool. I noticed that Sheila is completely alone onstage during "Easy to be Hard" which...hmmm. Okay, I guess I can see that, my problem is that isn't Berger supposed to hear her, since he tacitly apologizes right after the song? I also think there's a danger of the song then turning into a solo show piece, as opposed to a dramatically motivated plea. I did notice that some of the performances had evolved maybe a little bit too much--there was definite milking going on! I had some ideas about how I'd like to stage it and was waiting until intermission so I could jot them down.
Which....looks less likely at this point, since the show is getting a-ma-zing reviews! I imagine they are considering it for a transfer to Broadway--although I think this production (and this cast) deserve it, I also think some of the magic may evaporate when it is no longer under the stars.
Addendum:
Forgot to add that just as the cast was finishing up "Let the Sun Shine In"--I mean, JUST as they'd stopped--the rain poured in. It was an instant deluge, and very cool to clap for all of them and witness on the onstage dancefest in the pouring rain. I got soaked, obviously, but it was a blast, and the energy in the place went crazy. IA fitting metaphor for the underlying sadness in this piece.