Hair – “Brilliant”; Spencer Day at RRazz – “Glass Half Full”

by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave, 2009-09-11

THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER’S ‘HAIR’

The Willows Theatre has brought an exciting new robust “Hair” to the stage. They have taken the unforgettable score to new heights. The versions of “Aquarius” and “Easy To Be Hard” and “Let The Sunshine In” – really brings to fore the political relevance of the show. It is no longer dated. The Wars are still going on, and “Sunshine” can still bring tears to your eyes.

The Middle Eastern Wars have made ‘Hair’ important again. The Long Hair may not be in fashion, but the meaning of this monumental musical is still on everyone’s mind. You’ll fall in love again with all the characters. Their wonderful voices really flesh out the variety of moods. This Tribe on the Willows stage is living a free and fascinating life that carries the message of “Things should be better.”

‘Hair’ is an intelligent, and sometimes disturbing show to see. It moves the audiences emotions like on a tidal wave, and is as profound now as it was way back then. For me, in this revised show – it is even more electric.

Then there is the nudity. True, there is more of it in this production than I have seen in any other version of the musical. Usually the nudity is under a lacy large cloth with very low lighting. Now we see it as it was intended from the beginning. Yes, there is full frontal nudity. But, it is brief. However, if this bothers you, there are some performances that do not show the nudity. It is your choice. My thought is that without it – you lose some of the import of the show. It was a time when everyone was free minded and free spirited. So enjoy that brief time.

“Hair” as the Willows presents it is powerful. They have brought back the Magic. Actually I think that it is the most creative ‘Hair’ that has been in the Bay Area. It’s dramatic Theater that will remain on your mind for a long time. If you haven’t seen it yet -- get yourself out and be greeted with “Good Morning Starshine” – it will brighten up your day.

This is what I think in a nutshell: “This show is the most fun you’ll have this year. The Willows version is Exhilarating! A Real Blast!”

THE CAST IS HILARIOUS, BRILLIANT AND DELIGHTFUL. You’ll have a fabulous time! THEY ARE: Michael Charles Reed, Eric Inman, Myers Clark, Ricardo Rust, LeNeac Weathersby, Erica Richardson, Rana Weber, Nicole Helfer, Jon-Mark Hurley, Delina Brooks, John R. Lewis, Kathryn Fox Hart, Justin Torres, Maggie Kelley Connard, Drew Fowler, Rosie Babich, Martin Grizzell and Rachel Rajput.

Ånd to really give this ‘Hair’ the proper sendoff is the exciting Orchestra. They make this musical ‘Rock’. “They will blow your mind” (that’s Hippie speak). I Know – cause I was one of them.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating) –trademarked-

NOW PLAYING AT THE WILLOWS THEATRE IN CONCORD

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Sunday Datebook and produced a long-running Årts Segment on PBS KQED)))


Spencer Day sings at the Rrazz Room. Photo by: Pat Johnson.

SPENCER DAY – BACK AT THE RRAZZ ROOM

Spencer Day is handsome, writes some interesting songs and sings some really great stuff on some selections from his play list.

The evening at the glorious Rrazz Room is the perfect setting for Day and we were all geared up for an exceptional evening. The start up was ‘iffy’. He started out with a so-so song that he wrote called “Gonna Make You Mine.” It lacked the boffo entry to the stage that you expect from most entertainers. “Knock ‘em dead” – they say in show biz. If you don’t hook at the beginning – it can be a rough ride ahead.

Speaking of riding. Many of the songs that Day sings (many are written by him) are getting out on the road to get away from things like love, depression etc. Some of them may be biographical. He sings the moving “Vagabound”. It’s a wonderfully enchanting tune that Spencer wrote. He even has a C.D. called “Vagabound”.

I liked him better when he sang other people’s songs like “The Green Leaves of Summer” (Dimitri Tiompkin). What a glorious voice Day has. Day wraps his velvet voice around this song like he was born to sing it. What a perfect rendition. The best I have ever heard.

Day sings “Someday” (by Spencer Day). The odd thing is when he started the song is seemed to be kind of blah. Then he featured the backup singer “Çrystal” on part of the song. And eureka – the song came to life. This crossed my mind: “Maybe Day should concentrate on selling his songs to others to sing. I heard with my own ears what a difference a singer can make with lyrics. Here’s another thought. Why not let Crystal sing the whole song? From the little I heard – it would go to Gold.

Day is a songwriter. There is no dispute about that. I think the show needs a little more variety. He would be better off by singing some songs by others and pop in one of his tunes maybe three or four times.

“Never My Love” (Donald and Richard Åddrisi) was great and shows the best use of his voice. Here is some of the Traveling Troubadour kind of songs that he sings. “Joe” (A Calif. Road show), “Better Way” – here is a lyric: “The road is passing me by” and “White Picket Fences” – is another of those yearning songs. Day’s style on the Road Songs is story songs that yearn for being out on your own after you break up. They definitely have that honky tonk country sound to them. Like so many “Cowboy loses Girl songs.” Nothing wrong with that – I like Country music, but a little more variety would be more interesting.

Day is comfortable and confident on the stage. Some of his set is extremely entertaining. At the end, with an Encore song he sang my favorite. I have heard him sing the song before. It’s “Movie of Your Life” (Day). I have heard him sing the song before to a slow beat. Loved it. Still love it – but was not as enthralled with the rock-a-billy beat in the background. It drowned out the lyrics. Too bad – because they are spectacular.

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! –trademarked-

Now Appearing at http://www.therrazzroom.com/

CORRECTION: IN LAST WEEKS COLUMN WE MADE AN OOOPS. THE PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE TOM ORR PHOTO SHOULD HAVE BEEN CREDITED TO ‘TROY DEAN’ – NOT Lois Tema. We apologize.

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