"...Oh, say, can you see my eyes - if you can then my hair's too short!" Those lyrics and others from "Hair" will ring through the University Theatre this month when the Yale Dramatic Association presents the once-controversial musical as its fall mainstage production.
When first performed on Broadway in 1968, "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" was hailed, on the one hand, as the voice that defined a new generation while attracting criticism, on the other hand, for its treatment of such issues as free love, drugs, war, political activism and racism. With books and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot, "Hair" gave birth to such classic rock tunes as "Aquarius" and "Let the Sun Shine In." The production was later revised by the original writers in 1995. The Yale Dramat production will combine elements of both the original and revised scripts. Sam Scalimoni, a New York-based professional, will direct the Yale presentation of "Hair." Merope Vachliotis, a graduate of the School of Drama, is designing the sets. Troy Molton and Laurie MacMillan, also of New York, are designing the lighting and costumes, respectively, while drama school student Douglas Graves is serving as sound designer and Geoffrey Blanford '97 of Timothy Dwight College is music director.
"Hair" will be presented at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, and Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 13-16. There will also be 2 p.m. performances on Sunday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 16. Orchestra seating is $9, $5 for students; and balcony seating is $8, $4 for students). Reservations are recommended. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 432-1212. The box office at the University Theatre, 222 York St., is open 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and one hour prior to each performance.