Renton Civic Theatre will turn back to the clock to the age of flower power with its new production of Hair.
The groundbreaking 1968 musical created the genre of rock musicals and created quite a stir when it reached Broadway in 1969. It featured nudity, drug use, environmentalism and pacifism at a time when such things were new and uncertain.
The play was written by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, with music by Galt MacDermot.
Directing Hair for Renton Civic is Harry Turpin, an award-winning artist who has been involved in the theater for more than 20 years as a director, choreographer, performer, teaching artist, writer, and producer.
A few of Turpin’s productions include Little Shop of Horrors, The Who’s Tommy, and Sweet Charity.
“Hair is known for the amazing songs and revolutionary storytelling of its time,” said Turpin.
“It hit the Broadway stage and was electrifying, highlighting the current real-world struggles of the day,” Turpin said.
“From the war in Vietnam, the treatment of global majority people in a very white-bred culture, to the issues facing our nation and the world at large, told by the ‘tribe’, a group of long-haired hippy political activists living a bohemian life in New York City,” he said.
“I think anyone coming to Hair is going to love the popular music we all know and love,” he said. “More importantly, they’re going to see the relevancy of a show about hope and optimism that is very much needed in our world today,”
To get admittance to the theater, vaccination cards and masks will be needed.
“Based on the nature of our show, absolutely no photography or video is allowed,” Turpin said. “Due to some adult subject matter and nudity, this show is not appropriate for those under 18.”
The show dates are on Fridays and Saturdays June 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, at 8 p.m. Thursdays June 16 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays June 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices begin at $26 dollars for students ages 18 to 24 and seniors, and $31 for adults 25 and older. Renton Civic Theatre is located at 507 S 3rd St. in Renton.
“This is going to be a moving, fantastic, exciting experience for both the audience and the cast alike,” said Turpin.
For more information and to purchase tickets please visit https://rentoncivictheatre.org/season/2021-2022/hair.html