Playing through July 25, 2010.
PARK CITY — As I approached the Egyptian Theatre in Park City on Friday, I could tell that I was in for a treat. The box office had been decked out with afros, love beads, and was painted with words like “love, peace, and happiness.” The lobby was buzzing with excitement and a good number of the audience has dressed up for opening night. Now when I say “dressed up” I’m not talking ball gowns and tuxedos. There were flower children from every generation decked out in their finest flair pants, loose shirts, and headbands. It was a great atmosphere and the show didn’t disappoint.
For those unfamiliar with Hair, the story centers around a “tribe” of hippies living in a New York City park during the Vietnam War era. The show follows the tribe as they try to understand who they are and what their place is, both in society and within their own group. This universal search for identity is embodied in the character of Claude (played by Fred Sherman Lee) who is still living at home with his Polish parents, spending his days with the tribe, and adopting a fake British persona, all while trying to decide whether to answer the draft notice that came in the mail. That’s a lot to handle for teenager.
One key choice that director Jerry Rapier made to help us understand Claude’s struggle was to split the lines from Claude’s disapproving parents between six actors. It was a powerful moment as we watched him being surrounded in their anger. All of that anger, frustration, and confusion that Claude was feeling culminated into some of the best songs of the show. Lee’s performance of “Where Do I Go?” at the end of the first act was beautifully done. I could feel his longing and his inner turmoil.
The production did very well at showing us Claude’s search for peace. So well in fact, that when he makes his final decision, there is a painful moment of acceptance for the audience; we are right there along with him. The final song is the hauntingly hopeful “Let the Sunshine In,” which is beautifully sung by the tribe with some very moving belting done by Kandyce Marie Gabrielsen. It’s a song that provides closure and catharsis to the struggle we just witnessed.
One area that could have been clearer was the role of Berger and the love triangle that forms between him, Claude, and Sheila. This relationship is intended to add to Claude’s confusion by adding a search for sexual identity to his plate. It didn’t happen. It felt as if the sexuality between all three of them was forced. Actually, I feel like that was an issue throughout the show for most of the cast. There were times when the cast didn’t seem comfortable with their own bodies, or the bodies of their cast members, which is essential for this show.
This leads me to Berger (Seth Barney) and Sheila (Deena Marie Manzanares), two of the largest roles in the show. Unfortunately both actors seemed to be having an off night (maybe it was the opening night jitters). Manzanares seemed to be having a hard time finding her notes during her solos and didn’t have much chemistry with Barney when the two were supposed to be lovers. In order to add in chemistry, Berger needed to be endearing from the get go and Barney struggled with this.
The character of Berger is beautiful because he is so stoned out of his mind that he can do whatever he wants and doesn’t have to have a reason (including taking off his pants and strutting around in a leather thong for the first third of the show). He is the connection with the audience, talking to them and interacting with them. He is the one that sets up the atmosphere of “this isn’t some pious traditional play, so let’s have fun.” However, if the actor isn’t having fun, then all of the crazy things that Berger does feel scripted and unnatural and we can’t connect. So have fun with it. Again, I feel that is a note that a majority of the cast could use: loosen up, relax, and just have more fun with it.
That being said, I really enjoyed myself. This wasn’t the Tony Award winning revival, but most of the performances and songs were strong. The weak parts are easily overshadowed. I would recommend going to see this show. It’s good as is, but if they can get some of those opening night jitters out of their system, it could be quite spectacular.
I would also like to provide a content warning. While I still recommend the show, be aware that it includes some adult themes, as one might expect when dealing with hippies. There is plenty of sexual content, drugs, language, racial slurs, and even full-frontal nudity. It is all handled quite appropriately, but just be aware and maybe don’t bring young kids (unlike the family sitting next to me).
To be able to say I lived through the 60's is amazing! Wow, we had hippies, assassinations,beatles, music and war. I want to write from my 53 yr old perspective on HAIR. Christian, we both recommend HAIR, and it is quite a trip! We agree on the 6 actor's as Claudes parents too. I thought that was very clever. Yay Jerry! But we disagree on other parts of the play. I didn't see the opening night jitters you did, I saw rubbing, touching, kissing, and direct eye contact with the actors. I saw vulnerable actors willing to be absolutely naked onstage for their craft, for their play. Wow, I could never do that, could you? How much time needs to be devoted to the love triangle? 5 minutes, or 1 hour? This play has to make most of it's time and characters! And to me, they absolutely did that opening night. To you no, to me yes. Funny how we can have such differing opinions of HAIR. I know this music, having listened to it since I was 11! Eleven can you believe it? Well I am of that generation. To me the music was spot on! The actors gave me chills with their voices! I heard all things right with these songs, with this music, with this brave cast. No faults, just those songs from HAIR that I am so attached to and love, again MY GENERATION. I don't know what more chemistry there could have been, or any other changes or improvements. I need to see plays like HAIR, actually Utah needs plays like HAIR. I don't know what credentials make a good theatre critic, all I know is that it's only ONE person's opinion. Well, this is my One opinion, and to me, HAIR was SPECTACULAR!
I'm so glad you shared your reception of the show on the site! It's great to hear so many different opinions of a performance. Each of us brings a different viewpoint when attending a production and I'm so pleased you brought your to the UTBA. Like you said, the above review is only “one person's opinion” and we're working to help the site be able to present as many opinions as we can.
Christian: As the musical director off the show I run the risk of coming off as a disgruntled artist. I am not. I only wish to respectfully disagree with your comment about Deena Marie and that of her, “finding notes.” As part of my position as Musical Director, I record and listen to every rehearsal and every performance. I listen to these recordings daily looking for things to improve on and ways to bring the best musical performance to one of my shows I can. As I type I'm listening to Deena's opening night solos. I hear nothing to suggest “finding notes.” Her pitch is dead on, center of the note, sung with style and conviction and conveying the emotions of her character, Sheila. Bravo Deena, a beautiful job opening night and each and every night.Just my two centsRespectfully yours. David Evanoff
Thanks so much for the feedback, David. I'm a big fan of Deena Marie's work and am glad to see so many individuals rallying in her favor.
I saw Hair opening night as well and I agree with everything Christian said. Deena was massively overshadowed by her fellow actors. I saw several audience members around me, including those I attended with, looking around at each other uncomfortably whenever she sang. I'm sure she's amazing–but maybe for another show? I felt that her look was perfect. Her voice was not. I found myself wishing Lauren would have been cast in that role. Let it also be said that Kandyce was AMAZING. WOW. Every other girl in the show blew me away. My other major note would have been some of the direction in the first act. The second act was full of astounding stage pictures that left me wanting more. The first act felt like a musical review where everyone just sang their notes and that was it. For me, the first act might as well have been concert version. Regarding technical elements, sometimes the volume of the music was louder than the actors and for large periods of time I could not understand what anyone was saying. This affected, for me, the build to the end of act one. It felt random and unmotivated. Hopefully some of these things can be fixed as the run goes on. Let it be said that this show really was good, but it is difficult when you have seen the show done flawlessly elsewhere. For those that have never seen Hair before, this production might have been fabulous, but for those who have seen what Hair can be, there are some areas of improvement.
As someone who has been in the business longer than the reviewer has been alive and who has known David Evanoffs work for just as long, I'll have to disagree with Christian as well. David has arguably the best ear in town. I also know Jerry wouldn't cast someone who wasn't fully capable. I've seen the show and certainly didn't hear what Christian and the commenter here did. I also thought she was the strongest actress of the show. I think that the moderator her should seriously start deleting cruel comments. It's not going to do anyone any good. I'm sad to see that happen.
You may not agree with Christian's opinion of the production, but he does have the integrity to have his name attached to his review. David Evanoff, the musical director, did not agree with Christian's review and chose to share his very professional opinion coupled with his own name. That, I respect. This is a blog review. We are barely five months old and in that time have taken great steps to increase awareness of theatre productions in the state and set a small bar of a accountability for those productions as well. We do not claim to be the New York Times, or the Chicago Tribune. We feature reviews by local professionals, students of the arts, and your average patron. Are their technical expertise equal to that of the professionals they critique? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. We believe that every opinion is of value . I concede that the delivery of opinions, how they are framed and presented in the reviews, is the more difficult part when developing an organization like ours. With each reviewer we are slowly helping them discover that voice and how best to deliver the review without doing a disservice to the reader, performer, theatre, or the reviewer's own self. We value the opinions of all patrons and professionals, more so when they use their own name to express those opinions. I don't see Christian's comments as cruel, but rather as an honest accounting of his own reception of the performance (which was very positive overall). I am 100% certain that there were a number of different receptions of the show by a number of different audience members and we welcome each those to be shared. I appreciate your insight and hope you will continue to share your own reviews of productions in Utah and feel more confident in your own opinion to attach your name to that review. In the coming months the UTBA will be implementing a new system to accommodate multiple reviews for shows by UTBA members and outside bloggers. Watch for it. It's going to be pretty amazing! Thanks for helping the UTBA to bring a greater awareness of theatre in Utah and holding us to a level of accountability as we work to do the same for the productions we review.
I must say I'm disappointed with the pot shots you take early in your commentary. Being in a business longer does create experience, but to use it as a jumping board to put the Christian down seems a bit absurd. Often new perspectives to the industry can enhance it. Mozart took the stage at quite a young age and blew all the old fogies away :)Just please keep in mind that everything here is just another view point.
Oh wow. I'm not a performer, but a friend of several in the cast. As a theatre lover and goer I don't usually comment like this but would like to in this case. I get where truehippie comes from. The older we are maybe the more likely we are to appreciate this show. Nobody said it's supposed to rival broadway. But if you ask me, it's one of the best things I've seen around town in awhile. Audiences here typically like the same thing and this is different, in the best way possible. Every actor onstage is to be commended for their bravery. Every actor on stage is doing the best job he or she can do. Why be so harsh in the comments? Now, does vocal ability range? In my humble opinion, of course. Kandyce can't sing every song, now can she 🙂 ? But that's the beauty of it, too. Lauren was lovely, no doubt about it. But the shrill belt isn't my favorite sound. It's something that's become popular in the last decade or so and I find it tiresome. I felt the actors were suited to their roles pretty darn well. I never found myself wishing someone else was cast differently. This just goes to show how many different opinions there will be. What's pleasing to my ear may not be to yours and that's okay. I hope the community can grow and SUPPORT each other. That's what's important. I think you're all great, I hope you all have a great run and now can we talk about how cute the fellas are in their hippie garb? 🙂
Huh. I read your review when it was posted a couple days ago (or whenever it was). Reading it, it seemed to me that you were going out of your way to be charitable about what seemed to you a less-than-perfect performance–and charity is, I think, as commendable a quality in a critic as honesty. It’s particularly tough to write as a local theater critic when you’re also a part of the local theater scene. I don’t think you realize that entirely until you’re put in the position of writing about a show that wasn’t great–or even just wasn’t perfect–when you also happen to be writing about people you may be friends with, have worked with, or hope to work with at some point. I haven’t seen the show, so I can’t agree or disagree with your assessment–based on the comments, it sounds like there are informed and experienced people who loved it, and others who had some criticisms (though overall, no one here has said they didn’t like it, which I think should count as a pretty positive response). I can comment on the review however, which, at least to me, seemed very generous and constructive in tone. Getting a bad review as an actor sucks, which is something I think a good reviewer should always bear in mind. Getting unpleasant comments on a blog post also sucks. Most of the comments here seem respectful, but I think it’d be useful for the internet world at large to adhere more closely to the advice of Thumper’s mother: If you can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all. Or, on a blog devoted to the art of criticism, at least find as nice a way to say it as possible. 🙂
Hi. I wrote this review. Turns out a lot of people don’t like it. Well I’d like clear up a few things and respond to a couple of other things.First off, I love Hair. I have for years. I would like to reiterate that I DO recommend this production. I think that it has many powerful moments and is very much worth seeing. I agree with those who have said that this is something that we needed here in Utah. Theatre is a powerful medium and one that often times is underutilized in Utah, where the general populace seems to favor escapist theatre (in my opinion). Mr. Rapier, the Egyptian Theatre, and all of the actors and production crew definitely should be commended for taking the bold step of putting themselves out there with this show. I apologize to those who felt like I was negating the efforts of the cast and crew. I have worked on more than enough shows to know the amount of work that goes into creating the piece and that is always commendable.Now, I’d like to talk about my comments concerning Deena Marie. There was no intention of cruelty, as some commenters have accused me of. I didn’t randomly go down the cast list and say “who can I single out to drag down?” However, I stand by my original statement. I’m not lying to you when I say that on opening night it sounded as if she was struggling with her notes. You may disagree with me, you may have recordings of the evening or perfect pitch. It might have been her putting her own style on it, it may have been an effort to convey the emotions of the character. It might have just been an issue with her microphone (which there were some that night). But whatever happened, I still sat there as an audience member and thought “that doesn’t sound right”. My respectful opinion as a reviewer doesn’t make me wrong and cruel and inexperienced. The fact is that I was an audience member. It didn’t sound right to me as an audience member, and as we can see from the comments there were some other audience members that night who had the same reaction. Again, I am not trying to say that Ms. Manzanares is a bad actor, but to me it felt as if she was having an off night, and that is a valid opinion.Finally, I would like to address the implicit and explicit personal attacks that I have received. Please feel free to disagree with my opinion, but please don’t pass judgment on my personality, my experience, or my ability as a theater practitioner. I am a volunteer reviewer and when comments shift from what I wrote to me as a person it’s honestly hurtful. As far as experience and age go, I know that I didn’t live through the sixties and I don’t have fifty years of theatrical experience. I understand that there are people who understand more and are more talented than I. However, I have been consistently involved with theatre for thirteen years of my life (which I think is probably about the same as some of the cast members). I have served as an actor, director, producer, and on the board of directors of a couple different theatre companies. I guess that I feel like I am qualified enough. How much more should I have before I can comment? We talk about professionalism (different from professional), and I feel that my review was so, I do not feel that the all of the comments have been so.I’m sorry if I have offended anyone. That has never been a goal of mine in any aspect of life. I agree with “afriendofyours” that we should create support for the arts and that there should be a sense of community among the artists, one in which we may respectfully engage in honest discussion about the ways in which we can seek to improve our subjective work. I think that is one of the goals of UTBA. I honestly hope that people will go and support this show. It’s well done and deserves to be seen.
Dear reviewer, get used to it. This is the business you've asked for. You won't like your feedback every time. The thing is, it all sounds like sour grapes. If David Evanoff, who has quite the reputation, disputes you, and says he has the tapes to prove it, 99.9 percent of people reading will side with that. He's a professional and he's been around longer. It's not being mean, it is what it is. You stand alone in your opinion. Non of the big reviewers in our Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News, In Magazine or City Weekly thought that. It's brave of you to say something different, but be prepared not everyone will like it. You also must now have a taste of how hurtful your words can be as well. It's all a part of the job, like it or not, on either end. I hope you can all move forward and that you grow from this.
It should also be said that David Evanoff happens to married to Deena – so….maybe a bit biased. And the reviewer does not stand alone in his opinion. I stand with him. I was there that night and agree that there were some issues, which were reviewed graciously by the OP. Also, the “big” reviewers get paid to have positive opinions. Don't believe everything you read in the well known publications. the show was awesome, but not without faults.
Just a comment here. I am an audience member. I am not a professional and I have not been in “the business” for years. In fact, I don't know a darn thing about lighting, perfect pitch, or set design – I have never been in the business. I am not an expert but I do attend a lot of productions – over 100 (here and on Broadway) a year. It is sad to me to see that the opinion of an 'expert' out weighs that of an audience member. Isn't the audience member's, the one who buys the tickets, opinion just as valued, if not more so? The audience (even a reviewer is still an audience member)- they are the ones who are the fans, who make the donations and who fork out the money to go to the show. They are the ones who will talk and tell their friends to go. They are the customer. The person in the business for years should be listened to but the one who is in the seat should be as well. I don't have the ear of the professionals, but I can tell you that everyone I know comes to me when they want to know what show to see and I give them my opinion – which directly impacts the shows bottom line. What happened to a gracious – thank you for your opinion. Because as an audience member – that opinion counts even if you don't like it. As the professional – you should thank that person for spending their hard earned money to attend your production. Christian may have been a reviewer but he took time out of his busy schedule to spend the evening with you. It goes back to basic customer service…the customer may not always be right but you should never call them a liar. And as the professional or the company behind the product, it is your job to take the higher road – regardless! This blog is created by and for people who love theater. I respect the opinions of those who love the theater (expert or not). I do not respect those who start rattling off their credentials to tell me why I should like something or how they are right and others are wrong. I may or may not have originally agreed or disagreed with Christians statement but I wholeheartedly disagree with the 'professionals' who couldn't say a gracious “Thank you for attending and we value your feedback.” Have you noticed that the professional has lost a lot of ground? That the NY Times had to lay off one of their theater critics? This is so because people don't place as much value in the opinion of the expert (Des News, Trib, etc) anymore – they are more interested in what their peers have to say. Just take a look at the success of Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon, etc…these thrive because you can read reviews from your peers. I trust the review of a peer 10 times over that of a professional. I am an audience member and have more in common with my peer. I will trust the person I have most in common with, the most like me, the most likely to have the same opinion. I think a majority of the audience is like me – they have more in common with the person sitting next to them that the one in the business – so I am going to trust the person sitting next to me. I work in an industry where I deal with clients. They come to me with problems. A majority of the time, the problems are a result of their lack of education. My job is not to tell them they are wrong or dumb, but to make them happy so they come back. My organization has a 96% retention rate because we believe in superior customer service. I read Christian's review and decided for myself what I thought – respecting him for his honest opinion. However, the reaction from the 'professionals' soured my view of Hair. As a patron – as your customer – though the comments were not directed towards me, I take them personally. My experience at the theater is mine and I have a right to share it. You may not like it, but as the professional behind the product – it is your role to remain gracious. Just like it is my role at work to make my client happy. My clients have the right to vent, and I have the responsibility to make the situation better not tell them that I know my product better than they do and therefore they don't know what they are talking about. I would be fired if I ever spoke to a client like this. From someone who saw Hair and who is a humble theater goer – my view of this production was not swayed by Christian's review. It was however swayed by the bullying of the experts. I am sad because my love of local theater and my perception of the magic offered to me for years has been tainted. I have read many reviews – both outrageously negative and wonderfully positive, but my love of theater was never altered by a reviewer. I would like to thank those in the business and the experts for managing to crush that wide eyed optimistic magic I held for years. Count your job well done…you work to bring the magic of theater to the public but in one moment of pride, you managed to do the exact opposite. Be proud!
Thank you, Christian, for your honest and detailed review. Like Jessica, I too put more stock in this type of review than that of the press at large. For those arguing on both sides here, I think intentions are being misconstrued. Reading and re-reading the comments, I am hearing much more respect behind the statements than is being heard by others. These are not personal attacks but merely, as Dave stated, “my two cents.” I find commentary on production specifics most helpful and interesting. Criticizing a specific actor (especially constructively, as has been done here) is useful for theatre-goers and those behind the scenes alike. Thank you, everyone, for your candid comments!As for the controversy regarding Deena's performance, I think there is definitely something to be said for aesthetics. In my opinion, Deena is a spectacular actress and she is a great asset to the Utah theatre scene; however, her voice has a somewhat operatic sound that is a bit different from most musical theatre performers and isn't necessarily pleasing to everyone. This vocal style, in which her vibrato is very prominent, can affect the perception of pitch from different listeners. She is talented, skilled, and works very hard, but it is clear that there are differing opinions about her singing voice. I think it's less an issue of how good she is and more an issue of whether her vocal style fits the play and works well with her fellow actors.Overall, I'm glad to hear that Hair was so well-received! Everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves immensely. I especially loved the costumes in this show. Well done, cast and crew! Looking forward to the next great production. 🙂
It is interesting to read the reviews of the review. I read lots of reviews because they are interesting to me. Often I see totally opposite reviews. Theatre reviews seem a bit overrated on both sides. It certainly stirs a lot of emotion. Why? My guess is that with the performing arts there are emotions with both performer and audience. Does a review do any good for anyone? From reading UTBA reviews they are very inconsistent due to having several reviewers. There is a consistency however in the fact that compared to other reviews I've read, it appears reviewers are instructed to promote theatre. I believe that is the single greatest thing a reviewer can do is to promote the arts.While I don't agree with all is said this site has some merit to it in the fact that it does generally give softer reviews in the best interest of promoting theatre. Just an observation. I have no issue with being corrected.
Yes, UTBA does tend to be a little more positive than other sources of reviews. There might be a variety of reasons for that. One is that we try to match shows with a reviewer who could realistically be a show's audience member. We also have flexible standards by which we judge shows (professional shows are held to much more rigorous criteria than an arts council production, for example). All of this is in the FAQs.On the other hand, it's not hard to find a negative review on the site. See, for example, Tuacahn's production of “Cats,” UVU's “Rappucini or His Daughter,” or “Erin's Promis.” What we value most at UTBA is a multitude of voices and opinions. That's why we have comment sections, our Facebook page, the #utba Twitter hashtag, and a small army of reviewers.