PREVIEW: Andrew Kober of Hair talks Broadway history

Hair originally came to Broadwayafter a run at The Public Theaterover 40 years ago…


I was part of the production at Shakespeare in the Park last summer and theconcert version that the Public put on for the show’s 40th anniversary the summerbefore that. It was a magical thing at the Delecorte — it was about spreading it outto the world and about the moon and the stars and being together. Inside, the show’sgot this whole different energy. It’s so much more intimate. We really get to connectwith everyone that’s there. I think that’s an important part of what we’ve come toknow Hair to be. We don’t just do it and you sit there and watch, we’re all in thistogether. For that reason, it’s never the same show twice.What’s different about the show today?

There’s been a lot of retooling. There are new lines here and there, new music,there are some things that have been taken out. It’s not about reviving what Hairwas in 1968, it’s about creating the best version of Hair that we can do right now.Is the message still relevant?


The show is about people who fi nd themselves in an unpopular war with a leaderthey don’t trust. They’re thinking how do they get through this, what do they do?Now that Obama’s been in offi ce for a while … we’re fi nding that our audiencesreally want to embrace this message of hope and the idea that things can be different. In one song, there’s a lyric that goes, “I’m the President of the United Statesof love…” That’s been the lyric for a long time. But ever since Obama acceptedthe nomination and certainly since he’s been inaugurated, that lyric gets a responseevery night. It gets applause — you can feel the audience swell with recognition andwith pride.



MORE SUMMER PREVIEW ITEMS


DAVE MATTHEWS BAND & THE ROOTS

Dave calls up Jimmy Fallon’s new house band to accompany him April 14 at Madison Square Garden. Nota pairing you would necessarily expect, but somehowit makes sense. msg.com

LOU REED’S METAL MACHINE TRIO
For two nights Lou Reed and his buddies (UlrichKrieger and Sarth Calhoun) perform “A Night ofDeep Noise.” But it’s two nights! April 23 and 24 atthe Blender Theater at Gramercy. See what they didthere? blendertheater.com

MOGWAI
Glasgow post-rockers Mogwai bring their massive guitar music to Williamsburg for a two night stay in support of their 2008 release The Hawk Is Howling. April27–29 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

YANNI
Yup, he’s still alive. Catch the act of the man who’sbeen the butt of more jokes than any musician alive,with the possible exception of Kenny G. At Radio CityMusic Hall May 1 and 2. radiocity.com

THE BAMBOOZLE FESTIVAL 2009
Hopefully none of the suck from Fall Out Boy will geton No Doubt, The Bloodhound Gang, Cobra Starship,GWAR, Rise Against or the Get Up Kids. We’re prettysure Gwen Stefani is back, apparently done bangingout pop-rap for now. May 1–3 at the MeadowlandsSports Complex. thebamboozle.com

PETE SEEGER’S 90th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Folk legend Pete Seeger is turning 90, and he’s celebrating with a little help from his friends — notablythe Boss, the Cougar and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. May3 at Madison Square Garden. msg.com

FISCHERSPOONER
After a three-year hiatus, Warren Fischer and CaseySpooner are returning to the stage to prep for the release of their third album, Entertainment. Come for theelectro-pop, stay for the glitter, mascara and cabaretesque stage antics. May 8 at Webster Hall.websterhall.com

NO FUN FEST
Sonic Youth anchors a lineup that including the Sonsof God, Blank Dogs and Yellow Tears, to build buzz fortheir new album The Eternal, one of their most ambitious, and highly anticipated, projects in years. May 16at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.