Hair Returns to New Britain at TOM
By Frank Bradley and Jason Ferrandino | SPECIAL TO THE CITY JOURNAL at March 4, 2024 | 8:00 am | Print
Let the sun shine in!!! The Phoenix Theater Company is bringing “Hair: the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” back this Spring with a three week engagement from March 18 to April 3 at the Trinity-on-Main Performance Center at 69 Main St.
The classic musical is at once both a joyous celebration of youth and a poignant journey through a tumultuous 1960s America. This exuberant musical about a group of teenagers searching for truth, peace and love in a Vietnam War era, has struck a resonant chord with audiences of all ages. “Hair” features an eclectic score filled with classics, including “Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In,” “Hair,” and “Easy To Be Hard.” The themes and struggles in “Hair” remain vital and relevant to the times we live in today.
“Hair”, with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni with music by Galt MacDermot, opened on off-Broadway in 1967 and moved to Broadway in 1968. Following 1,750 performances it also went to London with 1,997 performances there.
The leads are portrayed by Matt Durland (Windsor) as Claude, Cody Riggers (Middletown) as Sheila, Nick Hirth (Ellington) as Berger, Jeremy Demers (Meriden) as Woof, Steffon Sampson (Southington) as Hud, Johanna Regan (Killingworth) as Jeannie, Dani Kay (Bantam) as Chrissy, Alyssa Bucci (Avon) as Dionne and Danny Coyle (Glastonbury) as Margaret Meade and General U.S. Grant.
Also in the talented cast are Rowan McDonald (Hartford), Jenn Lohmann (Wethersfield), Shaunta Strong (Bristol), Jessica Dean (Vernon), Elijah Castillo (Meriden), Mark Field (Farmington), Sarina Lungarini (Wethersfield), Aimee Desjardin (West Hartford), Miranda Murphy (Bristol) and Gabbie Hasson (Ellington).
The show is being Produced by Jenn Lohmann (Wethersfield) and Coproduced by Nick Hirth (Ellington) and Gabbie Hasson (Ellington), Directed by Chris Ryan (Bristol) and Music Directed by Jennica Serra (East Hampton). Choreography is by Gabbie Hasson (Ellington). Costuming is by Jenn Lohmann (Wethersfield) and Dani Kay (Bantam). Set design and construction is by Christopher Ryan (Bristol), Brian Bory (Plainville) and the cast. Lighting and sound design are by Joe Marturano of Thunder and Lighting Productions and the stage manager is Diana Demers (Wallingford).
The Phoenix Theater Company will bring “Hair: the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” to Trinity-on-Main at 69 Main Street in Downtown New Britain, CT, on March 18, 19, 25, 26 and April 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. with special Sunday Matinee performances on March 20, 27 and April 3. Tickets are $22 for General Admission and $26 for Special VIP seating if purchased in advance and $26 for General Admission and $30 for Special VIP seating if purchased at the door.
There will be refreshments and a cash bar available. Parking is free at the parking garage across Chestnut Street from the theater and on the streets. For more information and reservations call 860-229-2072 or visit www.phoenixtheater.us or email [email protected].
