NOT A HAIR-Raising Experience

We saw a production of Hair the other night. Strange experience. The audience was made up of mostly gray-haired Baby Boomers who lived the 60's. On stage were young people attempting to portray the 60's. The show was technically well-done, well-staged. What it lacked was authenticity.
Thinking back to the original production, I recall that Hair was major theatric culture shock to the "establishment" audience of the times. I guess I went to the current production hoping to sense some of that same spirit my generation celebrated some 40 years ago. It just wasn't there. The music was there, the intention was there, the high energy was there, but the spirit of the 60's was not communicated to this audience. The actors had not deleved deeply enough into understanding the revolutionary conflicts of the times. It was a fine production, but lacked the feel of the 60's to those of us who've been there and done that.
Throughout the show, and particularly in the finale, I watched the movements on stage thinking back to my younger days. I looked around the audience. Seems like they were trying to "get into it," but it just didn't happen. We watched the college kids on stage move, but they just didn't even dance in a convincing way. I couldn't help but think that, if the audience had gotten down on stage, they would be able to REALLY dance.
The experience was strange because, in the originial, the young people in the 60's shocked the over-30 generation audience. Some 40 years later, the young actors actually tried to portray the audience who were actually the original 60's generation. The shock was gone; it fell pretty flat. Somewhat disappointing.

So Percussion

Jenn tells me she was scanning radio channels and came upon a local classical station. It was the first time she tuned in. They happened to be promoting a contest - email the station for your chance to win. That's right, Jenn immediately emailed and the station called her to say she was the winner. The prize? A box of chocolates and 2 tickets to Friday's So Percussion performance at the Flynn. Jenn's BF happens to be an avid percussionist, so Friday night will see them at the Flynn enjoying the show. Jenn, how do you do it? We'll be waiting to hear the review. Click on this post's title for a link to the group.