Last November 17, 2017, Repertory Philippines (REP) held the
opening show of Hair as the year-end grand musicale for its 50th anniversary
season. Filling the pot with hippie culture and lots of love, this Broadway
acclaimed hit will surely give a high to its audience.
Set in 60’s America, the musicale circles around the culture
of a tribe that thrives on the idea of society that mainly believes principles
of love, peace and freedom. Caught up in an era of cold war, human rights
revolution and birth of nuclear age, a flourishing tribe wages its own war
against the society’s norm and creating a harmonious world in the age of
Aquarius. As Claude, starred by Markki Stroem, found his free-spirited rebirth
on the tribe will find himself in a dilemma of whether living up to his tribe’s
principle or giving up his anti-war beliefs to please his own parents by
signing up for a draft in Vietnam War. Tribal-rock jams and psychedelic lights
and moves will accompany Claude and the tribe in this journey inside the tribe
and will capture the little hippie inside of you screaming.
With Hair’s classic music and songs by Galt McDermot, the
ensemble gave a phenomenal opening performance with the play’s classic hit
“Aquarius”. Bright and vibrant lights and retro-bohemian costumes rage with
passionate movements of that of freedom and recklessness. Flowers are
everywhere, as crowns and offerings as they circled their audience with
hypnotic melodies and chants. The performance was overall light but full of
colors and personality, but undeniably there is the lurking depth of the
subconscious society’s struggles. And, finding yourself humming and
unconsciously giving those slow headbangs now and then over “Let the Sunshine
In” and “Good Morning Starshine” will not be avoided.
Based on the award-winning book by Gerone Ragni and James
Rado and originally staged by Michael Butler, repertory give its local touch by
staging it with completely local ensembles. Frenzy hippies includes George Schulze as
Berger and Caisa Borromeo as Sheila. The show will also feature guest singers
Morisette Amon and Migs Ayesa and performances by thater veterans Shiela
Valderrama-Martinez, Kim Molina, Ima Castro, Alys Serdenia, Abi Sulit and more.
Grab those flower crowns and get on the weaves and afro
revolution. REP’s Hair runs from November 17 to December 17 at the Onstage
Theater, Greenbelt , Makati City.
Text and Photos by Ariane Dave Furnazo.
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