Left to right: Jamal Cann as Hud; Tyler Haney as George Berger; Bobby Mitchum as Claude Bukowski; Danielle Kubasky as Sheila Franklin; and Jordan DuVall as Woof. Photo by Doug Lloyd.
Long-haired, bell-bottom wearing hippies might seem out of place now, but the musical “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” is as relevant today as it was 45 years ago when it debuted and changed the face of Broadway.
The musical’s message of love and peace helps bring people together in a time of turmoil.
Edge of the Creek Productions will present “Hair” during the weekends of September 13 and September 22 at the Beavercreek Community Theatre (BCT). Tickets are available at www.bctheatre.org, or by calling the box office at 429-4737.
Director Doug Lloyd, who directed the show six years ago at The Dayton Playhouse, jumped at the chance to direct it again at BCT.
“Everybody loves the show. I love the show. I remember that time so well because I lived through it. I love the music because it was the music of my youth,” Lloyd said. “I love the message of the show—peace, love, harmony and acceptance of one another.”
Watching the cast bring “Hair” to life is one of the joys of directing, said Lloyd.
“I love to watch it come together—a group of people coming together and becoming a tribe—you just can’t do this show without it changing you,” Lloyd said.
The cast of 22, includes people both familiar and new to the BCT stage:
- Aaron Brewer, Fairborn – Steve/Margret Mead
- Marcus Bedinger, Trotwood – Hiram/Soloist
- Jamal Cann, Miamisburg — Hud
- Suzanne Clabaugh, Dayton – Suzannah/Hubert
- Kevin Craig, Lebanon – Walter/Monk
- Kaleigh-Brooke Dillingham, Beavercreek – Jeannie/Monk
- Jordan DuVall, Dayton — Woof
- Tyler Haney, Dayton – George Berger
- Tierra Isaac, Fairborn — Ronnie
- Lynn Kesson, Dayton – Leatta/Blackboys Trio/I Believe Trio
- Danielle Kubasky, Beavercreek — Sheila Franklin
- Bobby Mitchum, Dayton – Claude Bukowski
- Brett Norgaard, Centerville — Paul
- Bryan Peak, Dayton – Mark
- Hayley Penchoff, Dayton – Chrissy/Air backup
- Stephanie Radford, Beavercreek – Dionne/Abe Lincoln/White Boys Trio
- Chris Sains, Fairborn — Tuck
- Vicki Sanders-Johnson, Beavercreek – Emmaretta/Nun
- T.C. Schreier, West Carrolton — Thomas
- Crystal Schultz, Beavercreek — Diane
- Lindsay Sherman, Dayton – Lindsay/Black Boys Trio/Nun
- Amber Todd, Beavercreek, — Mary
Stacy Gear is the choreographer; Lindsay Sherman is the music director; Kathleen Carroll is the costumer; and John Falkenbach is the lighting director.
“Hair” was the first rock musical, and it broke many taboos in theatre, according to Lloyd.
The show contains adult language, sexual innuendo and a very brief nude scene at the end of the first act. Parental discretion is advised.
“Any community might have people who have a problem with it, but our season ticket holders and our supporters are open-minded and supportive, and they will appreciate the show for what it is and its message,” Lloyd said.
Although Lloyd is thrilled with the cast’s progress, “Hair” does present some challenges like creating an authentic wardrobe complete with wigs, perfecting demanding dance numbers and studying the 60s.
“It’s a heavy music and dance show; there’s a lot of dance to learn. Most of the cast is not in the know of the 60s so they are learning about the era and doing a lot of research,” Lloyd said. “The cast is grasping their characters quite well, and have molded themselves into a tribe. I’m very happy with how things are going.”
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 