The original musical premiered in 1967 at Off-Broadway's Public Theater and featured music by Galt MacDermot and a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado.
- May 25, 2018
AceShowbiz - NBC has set a new live musical to follow-up the critically acclaimed rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar Live!". The Peacock network will present a live musical adaptation of the 1960s classic "Hair", which is scheduled to be broadcast in spring 2019.
"When we both, individually, saw 'Hair' on Broadway, we were knocked out by how musical theater could be stretched into something so daring, immersive and audacious," the network's live-musical masterminds Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who will produce "Hair Live!", said in a joint statement.
The statement continued, "Its recent Broadway revival showed how timeless the show is and that it’s relevant to any era. 'Hair' is filled with heartfelt emotion, joy and thrilling music and it really will be the new dawning of the Age of Aquarius."
The original musical premiered in 1967 at Off-Broadway's Public Theater and featured music by Galt MacDermot and a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Several songs from the musical became No. 1 radio hits, including "(The Age of) Aquarius," "Let the Sun Shine In" and "Good Morning Starshine."
"These songs are part of the vocabulary of popular music, and this rebellious story of young people protesting and standing up for what they believe in is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago," NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement. "This will be the perfect live event, and I’m looking forward to seeing Craig and Neil, along with our partners at MGM and the original creators, bring the audience to their feet as they experience these beloved songs and recognizable young characters."
"Hair" opened on Broadway in April 1968 and ran for 1,750 performances. The musical was revived multiple times including 1977 and 2009 Broadway revivals, the latter of which starred Gavin Creel, Will Swenson and Caissie Levy. The 2009 revival was debuted to critical acclaim and won the Tony Award for best revival of a musical. It was also adapted into a feature in 1979 with John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo and Annie Golden.
The musical follows the "tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the "Age of Aquarius" living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. Claude, along with his friends, Sheila and Burger, and an entire bohemian "tribe," seek their way to balance their young lives, loves, and the sexual revolution with their rebellion against the war and their conservative parents and society.
