Counterculture is a set of values and norms different compared to the rest of society. This culture was first introduced in the United States and United Kingdom around the 1960s. During this time, the generation of adolescents dealt with homosexuality, the use of drugs, opposition to the Vietnam War, women rights, as well as African-American rights. Playwrights, James Rado and Gerome Ragni proposed a play called “Hair”, which is based on a group of hippie friends living during the revolution of the counterculture. The main character, Claude struggles to live the life of young teenager living in New York City with conservative parents. In the end, Claude has to decide whether he wants to serve in the Vietnam War or reject the draft, just like
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Most people had an idea of what the sixties were like based on history and readings. Rastrelli goes on to explain how the music, dancing, and acting abilities from the cast is well and kept at a great pace. “While the music is rock, it assimilates country, Hindu themes, Motown, Opera, Native American rhythms and beat poetry when the scene demands it.” The performer’s movements and emotions were taught by choreographer, Jessica Wockenfuss. In addition, another thing Rastrelli enjoyed about the musical was the cast. He pointed out Drew Shafranek’s performance to the song “I Got Life”. The song described the energy of Claude and his friends from the tribe. The performers kept the musical spirit in the room alive. On the contrary, Rastrelli includes some downfalls to the musical, such as the sound. “There are a number of moments when the orchestra overpowers a soloists whose microphone needs to be turned up.” He believed there were too many performers on-stage to fix all the microphones at once. That is one thing that needs improvement for the next show. Lastly, another downfall Rastrelli included earlier in the review “the danger of “Hair” is that it can become a homogenous mash of hippie nostalgia.” The …show more content…
“The kids of “Hair” are cuddly, sweet, madcap and ecstatic. They’re also angry, hostile, confused and scared as hell — and not just of the Vietnam War, which threatens to devour the male members of their tribe. They’re frightened of how the future is going to change them and of not knowing what comes next.” The show makes it clear the children of the early sixties generation were at a time in their lives were they were stuck between being a part of the counterculture and potentially changing the status quo of conservatism or going to the Vietnam War to fight for their country with a chance of losing their lives. Brantley believed the kids wanted to do the right thing by lending their country a helping hand, but they also wanted attention by entertaining the counterculture and supporting the movement. Furthermore, Brantley includes “Every single ensemble member emerges as an individual, each with specific issues and knotty histories that no drug or slogan can resolve.” This illustrates how complex and detailed the show was when it came to the lives of the characters. Brantley enjoyed viewing how each character dealt with
Most people had an idea of what the sixties were like based on history and readings. Rastrelli goes on to explain how the music, dancing, and acting abilities from the cast is well and kept at a great pace. “While the music is rock, it assimilates country, Hindu themes, Motown, Opera, Native American rhythms and beat poetry when the scene demands it.” The performer’s movements and emotions were taught by choreographer, Jessica Wockenfuss. In addition, another thing Rastrelli enjoyed about the musical was the cast. He pointed out Drew Shafranek’s performance to the song “I Got Life”. The song described the energy of Claude and his friends from the tribe. The performers kept the musical spirit in the room alive. On the contrary, Rastrelli includes some downfalls to the musical, such as the sound. “There are a number of moments when the orchestra overpowers a soloists whose microphone needs to be turned up.” He believed there were too many performers on-stage to fix all the microphones at once. That is one thing that needs improvement for the next show. Lastly, another downfall Rastrelli included earlier in the review “the danger of “Hair” is that it can become a homogenous mash of hippie nostalgia.” The …show more content…
“The kids of “Hair” are cuddly, sweet, madcap and ecstatic. They’re also angry, hostile, confused and scared as hell — and not just of the Vietnam War, which threatens to devour the male members of their tribe. They’re frightened of how the future is going to change them and of not knowing what comes next.” The show makes it clear the children of the early sixties generation were at a time in their lives were they were stuck between being a part of the counterculture and potentially changing the status quo of conservatism or going to the Vietnam War to fight for their country with a chance of losing their lives. Brantley believed the kids wanted to do the right thing by lending their country a helping hand, but they also wanted attention by entertaining the counterculture and supporting the movement. Furthermore, Brantley includes “Every single ensemble member emerges as an individual, each with specific issues and knotty histories that no drug or slogan can resolve.” This illustrates how complex and detailed the show was when it came to the lives of the characters. Brantley enjoyed viewing how each character dealt with