Jim Tranquada

The Occidental College Theater Department will stage "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical," the classic ’60s counter-culture musical, beginning Thursday, April 17.

"Hair", the final main stage production of the year, is directed by Alan Freeman ’66 M’67 with musical direction by Stephen Gothold and choreography by Mark Knowles.

Written in 1968 by co-authors James Rado and Gerome Ragni, "Hair" introduced and defined the rock musical by depicting the era’s social and political movements through song. This special production is staged walkabout style on the flattened, psychedelic floor of the flexible auditorium of the Keck Theater.

Two-thirds of the audience will be sitting on the floor (there are no chairs in the "orchestra section") and will be occasionally asked to stand and move around the gymnasium style floor. The audience becomes an integral part of the staging, allowing for an experience of immediacy and intimacy rarely possible in live theater. Reserved seating in fixed is available in the galleries for those who would rather sit and watch the show.

"Hair" will be performed April 17-18, and 24-25 at 7:30 p.m, with special matinee performances on April 19 and April 26 at 2 p.m. One final performance will be held May 16 at 8:00 p.m. All performances will be staged in Keck Theater on the Occidental campus. Please note that "Hair" contains adult content and strong language and may be inappropriate for children.

"Hair" director Alan Freeman has taught at Occidental for almost 40 years, directing more than 65 plays, musicals and operas. He will give a post show talk on Saturday, April 18 in the Keck Theater.

Please call (323) 259-2922 or email theater@oxy.edu for tickets and information.