Performance Studies. Hair Rock Musical Essay

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The Hair is an American Tribal love rock music with a book and lyrics by James Rado, Gerome Ragni and music by Galt McDermott. “Rado and Ragni met in 1964 and performed together ‘Hang down your head and die’ in the off Broadway flop which was outside New York” Haase (2008, p 343). The writing of Hair commenced then in1964. Hair was a product of hippie, counter culture and sexual revolution of the 60’s.It emphasized on the story of tribes; a group of politically active members of the Aquarius age and long-haired hippies, nudity, sexuality, pacifism, environmentalism, religion, astrology, literary and symbolic themes. All these were performed at the off Broad way, the broad way, early regional production, the west end and the early international productions.

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“Precedents of race and tribe ascribed to what was initially introduced by Boat in1927 and Bess and Porgy in 1935. It set a pace for the integration of races” Hikberteitel, Miller and Barbara (1998, p 605). It also identified critical racial issue that at the time were really blocks for social cultural justice. I can confidently say they were primary sources basing to the fact that they were the central theme to every tune and lyrics that played at the time of the late 60’s. “Some were adopted as anthems, which were used for various functions and applications” Wollman, Mac Dermot and Trask (2006, p 432). Such songs included: Colored Spade; jungle bunny and little black sambo; what do we think is really great? To bomb, lynch and segregate!

“The songs had many reference to the different races and tribes stating the anti civilization, anti consumerism with a naturalistic focus of the hair” Johnson (2004, p 234). All the people acted together integrating togetherness as they were to like each other and acted like an organism developing the sense of belonging, responsibility, family and loyalty. “This was enhanced to the audience by the usage of their senses to the exercise based on their trust, listening, touch, meditation and contemplation that broke down casts and crew enabling them to bond” Kirkpatrick (2009, p 208)

Sexual freedom, nudity and drug abuse was also a major concern that was addressed. Nudeness in their act I is at the center stage a controversy, this indicated notoriety. Even though nudeness was a pillar of their culture, it portrayed both rejection of the sexual abuse of their parents and also naturalism, spirituality, openness, freedom and honesty. “The naked body was adored and glorified but not scorned and hidden because they were perceived as gifts” Willis, Hodges and lynch (2008, p 792). They can be said to be primary sources because hair was the major epic of sexual freedom. Rado explained of the sexually and politically charged La boheme creating a palpable love element of peace. Free love tendencies are also highly portrayed in act II when they try to find out who will sleep with whom for that night. The song Sodomy also tries to exhort everyone to join the Kama sutra. Illegal drugs notably the hallucinogens were preferred for their native tribe. The song ‘I am evolving through the drugs that you put down’ gives a vivid evidence of this scenario. Jeanie also commented that “whoever thinks pot is bad is full of shit” while smoking marijuana. This does not demonize all drugs but prohibits other drugs other than hallucinogens and mind expanding drugs. ‘Hashish’ provides the list of recommended drugs that are both legal and illegal. This is an educative theme and had direct impact on the people.

This was important because of the discovery of sensation which showed them that their eyes were wide open and could discern what was bad from what was good. The essence of tribe is quite significant; this enabled them to abhor certain values that were anti civilization in accordance with their socio cultural standards. “The production design was completely open with no curtains and every thing exposed to the audience” MacDermot, Ragni and Rado (2008, p 562). The impact of hair created a popular culture that still hits with major artists in films and episodes. These include songs as; good morning star shine in the movie of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that was recorded and released in 2005. Hair can even be made more relevant in the current situation. The production and showcasing of the movies can be done in the amphitheatres to increase the reactivity of people to the ‘Hair production’ that have far reaching teachings to the current society and the whole world.

References

Haase, D., 2008. The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales: Q-Z. World folklore and folk life. USA: Green publishing company. Vol 3.

Hikberteitel, A. Miller, B. D., 1998. Hair: its power and meaning in Asian cultures. Asia: Sunny.

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Johnson. J., 2004.Good Hair Days: A Personal Journey with the American Tribal Love- Rock Musical Hair. USA: universe publishers.

Kirkpatrick, R., 2009. 1969: The year everything changed.Australia: Skyhorse.

MacDermot, G. Ragni, G and Rado, J., 2008. Hair: the American tribal love rock musical. California: University of California. Volume 69.

Willis, J. Hodges, B and lynch, T., 2008. Theatre World. Asia: John Willis Theatre World. Vol 57.

Wollman, E. L. MacDermot, G and Trask, S., 2006. The theater will rock: a History of the rock musical: from hair to Hedwig. Michigan: Michigan press ltd.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "Performance Studies. Hair Rock Musical." December 31, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/performance-studies-hair-rock-musical/.

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