“Hair” reviewed by Edie Reese

*****  MadKap Production’s inaugural production of the 2023-2024 season is a fast-paced, infectious romp through the flower-powered, bell-bottomed, beaded, drug-hazed, sex-crazed, protest-raised phenomenon that was the late 1960s to early 1970s. HAIR’s exuberant fourteen-member cast makes this 2 ½ hour show (with one 15-minute intermission) fly by. Joseph Jefferson Award-winning Director Derek Van Barham and Assistant Director/Movement Assistant Brennan Urbi make excellent use of the smallish Skokie Theatre stage as well as the theater aisles. Scenic Designer Scott Richardson cleverly tucks the live band into the stage corners. Additionally, Richardson places two platforms onstage which hold costume items and props. The platforms add needed elevations for soloists and accommodate a variety of movements and choreography.

There are forty-one songs in this show. Five of them are solos. This is truly an ensemble production, and every member of the cast is vocally strong. While each performer is a true “triple threat (acting-singing-dancing), here are just a few of the standout performances: Shraga D. Wasserman as Berger, who seems to have legs made of rubber; Joey Chelius as Claude, and Ben Isabel in a solo turn as Margaret Mead. (Off-key singing has never been so hilarious.) Niki-Charisse Franco’s (Dionne) show opener of “Aquarius” is powerful and iconic. Alexandria Neyhart as Sheila sings a moving version of “Easy to Be Hard,” one of the many songs from the show which have been recorded by rock/pop artists and have become part of the American music lexicon. Other cast members are Sam Hook as Woof, Justice Largin as Hud, Bridgett Martinez as Crissy, and Julie Peterson as Jeanie. The “Tribe” members are Jack Chylinski, Jonah Cochin, Cristian Moreno, Chevy Dixon Saul and Hannah Silverman.

Musical Director/Conductor/Keyboardist (and Jeff Award winner) Jeremy Ramey leads the onstage band and sets the lively pace for this show. He is assisted by Craig Buckner on drums, Michael Bulaw on bass and Nate Hall on guitar/sax. Sound Designer Chris Cook makes sure that the balance between the band and the vocalists is just perfect. Lighting Designer Pat Henderson recreates the psychedelic mood of the era, including a bad drug trip. Jeff-winning Costume Designer Beth Laske-Miller no doubt had tons of fun creating colorful hippie costumes. Christa Retka is the Intimacy Director; there is a lot of intimacy going on in this show (all tastefully done). The technical side of the house is rounded out by Assistant Director/Stage Manager Miranda Coble, Set Decorator/Prop Master Barry R. Norton and Sound Technician Brian Bedoya.

“HAIR” runs now through July 30, 2023, with performances:

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

There is a special matinee performance on Wednesday, July 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $45 for general admission, $38 for seniors and students and can be purchased online at SkokieTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 847-677-7761. Parental guidance is suggested due to language, nudity and drug use. The theater is located at 7924 Lincoln Avenue in Skokie. Parking is on-street, in the Bank of America lot adjacent to the theater or in several municipal lots around the theater.

Prior to attending the show my husband and I had dinner at a small, pan-South American restaurant across the street from the theater called Libertad. The menu there is different and delightful, and the place is a convenient pre-show dining spot. Libertad is at 7931 Lincoln Avenue. Their phone number is 847-674-8100. Reservations are recommended.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Hair”.