Sierra Repertory Theatre continues its run of a terrific, psychedelic production of one of the most game-changing musicals of our era, Hair. With having had several iterations on Broadway, a film (that I still can’t make it through), and plenty of regional takes of the show, Sierra Rep has given the rock musical the tribe-based intimacy I didn’t know was possible.
(Cast members of Hair; Photo by Matthew Herman | @mhermandesign)
Director Jerry Lee has assembled a universally talented tribe of actors and actresses who deliver on all the goods the musical requires. Gerome Ragni and James Rado’s book and lyrics are filled with protests, encouragements of love, and messages of pain which many in the Vietnam-era felt and expressed. Lee’s direction allows for the musical to breathe with the hippy, trippy vibes without ever losing focus on the message. Jill Slyter’s choreography is not only smooth, fluid, athletic, and all-around sensual, but the placement of formations, small groups, and backup dancers is expertly marked, making great use of Matthew Herman’s stellar set and giving Isaac Joyce-Shaw plenty of room to play with the lighting design.
(Cast members of Hair; Photo by Matthew Herman | @mhermandesign)
Miguel Ragel Wilson and Collins Rush lead the production beautifully as tribe leaders Claude and Berger, respectively. Wilson’s laid back demeanor and warm presence give his Claude a heartbreaking arc as he goes from free-loving hippie to bad-trip realist to culminating in becoming a drafted soldier. Wilson’s vocals are smooth as butter in his leading of “Manchester, England,” “I Got Life,” and in a stellar “The Flesh Failures.” Rush is perfectly cast as the more animated Berger, exuding instant charm and a welcoming disposition so the audience feels connected--if not part of--the Tribe. Rush’s vocals for the score fit like a glove, with highlights in “Going Down” and “Hair.” The two actor’s chemistry works wonders for the otherwise clunky book by honoring the vibes-with-a-message intent while adding tons of physical and sexual humor along the way.
(Cast members of Hair; Photo by Matthew Herman | @mhermandesign)
Tribe highlights come from Erica C. Walker’s commanding “Easy to be Hard” as Sheila; Taylor Tveten’s alluringly whimsical Jeanie, highlighted in her turn in “I Believe in Love;” and Tamya J. Simmons's lead vocal calisthenics in “White Boys” amongst her backup singers and the opposite “Black Boys” vocalists. Kyle Moses is a physically energetic and hilarious Woof, while Jackie Thompson delivers a tender, gorgeous rendition of “Frank Mills.” Cameron Chang delivers a splendidly hilarious and vocally triumphant turn as Margaret Mead in “My Conviction,” one of the few more-still songs where the humor and lyrics take over in the hands of the fully capable actor-singer. Trae Adair rounds the featured standouts with a superbly charismatic and engaging Hud, as he provides both humor and pensive acting turns while contributing superb vocals in “Colored Spade” and “I’m Black/Ain’t Got No.”
(Cast members of Hair; Photo by Matthew Herman | @mhermandesign)
Though Hair gets done fairly often, it’s rare when the cast and creatives mesh so effortlessly well with the material. Get your keister over to the Fallon House to catch the Tribe in all their glory and enjoy getting your dose of musical sunshine in.
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