The amount of talent to pass through the city of Pittsburgh (and even be raised in the city) is incredible. The "American-Tribal Love-Rock Musical" of the Pittsburgh Musical Theater's HAIR was no different. The cast, being a majority of Pittsburgh natives, was absolutely incredible. Line for line, they delivered dialogue with real emotion, true experience (as though this group of Millennials were from the 60s themselves), and perfect comedic timing. The leading vocalists were brilliant, hitting notes and carrying melodies that caused your face to screw in the distaste of pure astonishment and approval. There was drama, there was rebellion, there was intensity and, of course, disco lights, flower hair wraps and fringes galore.
In Dr. Ken Gargaro's Director's Note, he states that, "Their hearts were in the right place, even if their quest for transcendence was wild and self-indulgent." Wild and self-indulgent are the perfect words for what you witness of this production. There was all the drama of the 60s wrapped in one shocking package just feet ahead of you- séances, orgies, bold religious and political rebellion, the heartbreak of a generation that romantically held loyalty to no one and foreign chants spoken in another language that made you wonder the darkness and metaphorical middle finger of its meaning. The show was a ride- a wild one.
I must give a particular nod to Adam Fladd and Ashton Guthrie, who played Berger and Claude respectively. They both exhibited a performance prowess that kept me locked in every time they opened their mouths. Their way of delivering comedy had me wishing they were a part of the original cast of That 70s Show. Not to mention also, that Guthrie had a surprisingly ranging voice that allowed him to hit high notes and melodies that sent your applause to an uproar you hadn't anticipated. The Lighting Designer Forrest Trimble and Set Designer Britton Mauk did an excellent job. The set was simple and got the point across each time without need for overt extravagance. The lighting constantly took you to new places, emphasized the mood and gave you the sensationalized experienced of the groovy 60s. It gave your senses the wild ride of a revolutionizing era. Speaking of, I appreciated also Dr. Gargaro's note in the beginning of the program, as it gave his own personal experience in the 60s that paralleled the events of the production. It also served as an education to the heightened climate of the time so you understood these characters better. As mentioned on the second page, "Context is Everything." It was interesting to even be reminded that this is a time where social media did not exist, but rather, music took the place of it, becoming the hashtag of its time, the movement of information and emotion. Truly, while shocked at the things I saw and heard, I can definitively say I was educated about a time, people and way of thought I had never witnessed and at times, thoroughly entertained.
Thank you, PMT- HAIR was... (as stated in the Playbill) an experience.
*Author's Note: Though the production has run its course, if you ever find yourself desiring to see a showing in the future, you may experience offense if you hold any strong religious or political views.