Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical follows a young group of hippies fighting the establishment, dodging the drafts, getting high, living and loving in New York City. It’s 1967: the Vietnam War raging and the Age of Aquarius is dawning. Claude, his best friend Berger, their roommate Sheila, and their Tribe of friends struggle to balance the demands of the harsh and violent world with their dream for a more beautiful and peaceful world. When Claude receives his draft notice, he must decide whether to join his friends in resisting the draft, or bow to the pressures of society and his conservative parents, thereby sacrificing his ideals and, possibly, his life. Hair was a sensation when it premiered in 1967, as it brought the counterculture movement into the theatre and the national spotlight. The issues the show brings up -- alienation, civil disobedience, youthful defiance -- continue to timelessly resonate today.
Show Information
- Book
- James Rado , Gerome Ragni
- Music
- Galt MacDermot
- Lyrics
- James Rado , Gerome Ragni
- Conceived By
- James Rado , Gerome Ragni
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1967
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- East Village, New York City, 1967
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Tams Witmark Music Library
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Hair was conceived by actors James Rado and Gerome Ragni. They wanted to create something that would convey the excitement felt in the hippie community, especially in New York City. They based the characters of Claude and Berger off themselves, modeling Claude and Berger’s intense and volatile friendship after their own. Rado and Ragni were introduced through a mutual friend to composer Galt McDermott. He wrote the score in only a few weeks. When casting, Rado and Ragni enlisted many
to read the context for Hair and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
It’s 1967. The Vietnam War is still raging. In defiance, the counterculture has grown. In a park in New York City, the Tribe of hippies comes together.
The musical begins with a ritual. Prior to curtain, Claude enters the stage, looks around, and sits down. The Tribe begins to appear from all possible entrances -- the wings, the audience, wherever the space permits. The Tribe offers flowers and burning incense sticks to members of the audience. A few minutes later, two girls
to read the plot for Hair and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
ACT ONE
- “Aquarius” - Ronny & Tribe
- “Donna” - Berger & Tribe
- “Hashish” - Tribe”
- “Sodomy” - Woof
- “Colored Spade” - Hud & Tribe
- “Manchester, England” - Claude & Tribe
- “I’m Black” - Hud, Woof, Berger, Claude & Tribe
- “Ain’t Got No” - Woof, Hud, Dionne & Tribe
- “Dead End” - Quartet
- “I Believe in Love” - Sheila & Trio
- “Ain’t Got No Grass” - Tribe
- “Air” - Jeanie with Dionne & Crissy
- “Initials” - Tribe
- “1930’s” - Berger
- “Manchester II” - Claude & Tribe
- “I Got Life” - Claude & Tribe
- “Going Down” Berger & Tribe
- “Hair” - Claude, Berger & Tribe
- “My Conviction” - Margaret Mead
- “Sheila Franklin” - Tribe
- “Easy to Be Hard” - Sheila
- “Hung Up” - Tribe
- “Don’t Put It Down” - Woof, Berger & Steve
- “Frank Mills” - Crissy
- “Be-In (Hare Krishna)” - Tribe
- “Where Do I Go” - Claude & Tribe
ACT TWO
- “Electric Blues” - “Oldsters” Quartet
- “Oh Great God of Power” - Tribe
- “Manchester III” - Tribe
- “Black Boys” - White Girls Trio & Black Boys Trio
- “White Boys” - “The Supremes” Trio, White Girls Trio & Tribe
- “Walking in Space” - Dionne, Steve, Leata, Jeanie, Sheila & Tribe
- “Abie, Baby” - Hud & Two Boys with J.W. Booth
- “The War” - 1000-Year-Old Monk, 3 Monks, 3 Nuns & Tribe
- “Three-Five-Zero-Zero” - Tribe
- “What a Piece of Work Is Man” - Ronny & Walter
- “How Dare They Try” - Tribe
- “Good Morning Starshine” - Sheila & Tribe
- “The Bed” - The Tribe
- “Reprise: Ain’t Got No” - Claude & Tribe
- “The Flesh Failures (Let the Sun Shine In) - Tribe
- “Eyes, Look Your Last” - Claude, Sheila, Dionne & Tribe
- “Hippie Life” - Claude, Berger, Two Indian Women & Tribe
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A person who holds the belief that war and violence are unjustifiable.
A musical theatre work using rock music.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
