All the hippie radiancy of the free-spirited 1960s is captured in “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical.”
Set for an Oct. 13-29 run at Valparaiso’s Chicago Street Theatre, the production rolls out trippy standards such as “Aquarius” and “Good Morning Starshine.” Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Oct. 14, 20, 27-28; 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15, 21-22, 29; and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26.
The show’s theme retains a sense of relevancy, as the revolutionary piece of theater follows idealistic young people in a constantly changing world.
Over the decades, the musical has been “exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace,” according to promotional material from Chicago Street Theatre. Its version features Samantha Sangerman as New York University student Sheila Franklin.
“It’s kind of like a dream role that I’ve always wanted to play,” said Sangerman, a Gary resident who has done professional theater in New York City.
She will get a solo spotlight when she sings “Easy to Be Hard,” one of the play’s more memorable songs.
“It really is kind of the essence of who Sheila is,” Sangerman said. “In the song, she asks a lot of questions, which she does all the time. She is a really good listener.
“She wants to not only stand up and defend her tribe, but she also wants to educate them on what’s happening, historically speaking. She’s kind of an enigma in a lot of ways, but she’s also kind of like the heart and soul because she cares so much about their well-being. She wants them to know what’s happening, and in doing so, fight for what’s right, whether that be equality or the greater good.”
Debuting 50 years ago as an off-Broadway curiosity, “Hair” was considered jolting and subversive because of its youthful, counterculture elements.
With its liberal take on sexuality and drugs, along with an anti-Vietnam War message, “Hair” fashioned the rock musical genre with its tale of a Bohemian lifestyle shared by politically-attuned young friends who band together as a tribe in New York.
Director Bob Cooley said the Chicago Street production of “Hair” is set in the late 1960s, which was home to the “flower power” generation, but he wants to set a tone that is more than nostalgia.
“I’d like to make it more immediate than that; more visceral,” the Hobart resident said. “It does speak to us now in certain ways.”
Portraying Claude Hooper Bukowski is Valparaiso’s Michael Ohm, who views his character as sort of an anchor for the people in his circle.
“Claude is the spiritual leader of the group,” Ohm, 24, said.
Conveying what Ohm terms more of a “calm” nature, Claude is a pivotal character in the musical who sings several solos, including the celebratory “I Got Life.”
Claude and his comrades navigate an ever-evolving world where quests for freedom bump up against the cold light of global happenings.
“It’s a musical showcasing very real events that happened within the ’60s, especially during the Vietnam War,” Ohm said. “The hippie movement was such a huge thing back then.”
With adult language and themes, the Chicago Street engagement of “Hair” is recommended for mature audiences.
Complementing the fringed and beaded fun will be a “Super Groovy Halloween Party” at Chicago Street Theatre Oct. 13 that takes place right before the scheduled “Hair” performance that night.
The bash will star MeTV’s Svengoolie, the popular horror-movie host portrayed by Rich Koz.
Tickets are $40 for the 21-and-over fundraiser for the theater troupe. The bash includes food, a costume contest and meet-and-greet/photo ops with Svengoolie. A cash bar will be available.
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Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the party. Tickets also include admission to the 8 p.m. performance of “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical.” Show-only tickets are not available for the Oct. 13 performance.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
‘Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical’
Where: Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W. Chicago St., Valparaiso
When: Oct. 14-29; Halloween party-show on Oct. 13
Tickets: $17-$30; Oct. 13 tickets $40
Information: 219-464-1636, ext. 1; www.ChicagoStreet.org