by Matthew Mariner
Prepare to enter the “age of Aquarius!” A groovy production of the popular musical HAIR is coming to the island next month. Genius Genius Production and Tisbury Frozen Yogurt will present HAIR on August 6,7,8 and 9 at 8:00pm in the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center. Join this cast of dancing, singing hippies as the they spread messages of love, peace, freedom, and acceptance.
HAIR features a book and lyrics by James Rando and Gerome Ragni, and music by Galt McDermot. First produced on Broadway in 1968, HAIR was one of the first musicals to deal with societal issues such as the Vietnam War, racial prejudices, gender inequality and sexual liberation. HAIR is also beloved by many musical theatre enthusiasts for being one of the first “rock musicals” in Broadway history. This unique production coming to the Vineyard will feature highly expressive, physical staging and truthful performances from all cast members. The result is a theatrical event that is so colorful and moving, it will be nearly impossible not to “feel the vibe.”
Directed by Tessa Permar and produced by Jane DaBreen, this production is straight off the heels of last summer’s successful performance of Spring Awakening. Edgartown’s Spindrift Studios owner Sandra Stone serves as choreographer and George Luton serves as music director for the production. Carnegie Melon University theatre students Joe Essig, Adam Stern Rand and Safiya Harris join islanders Sam Permar, Darby Patterson, Sydney Johnson, Ryker Maynard, Sophia Nelson, Cam Cote, Barbara Binder and Barney Zeitz in leading roles. The cast also features Mikah Baumrin, Michelle de Geofroy, Kenon Veno, Liam Weiland, Aaron Teeves, Matthew Mariner and Kaela Vecchia-Zeitz.
Tickets for HAIR are $20 and are available at ticketsmv.com and at the door. Proceeds from the production will be used to benefit Vineyard House Sober Living. Don’t miss your chance to see this production, its message is sure to challenge and inspire you!
