We saw the new Public Theatre production of HAIR: THE AMERICAN TRIBAL LOVE-ROCK MUSICAL, Book and lyrics by GEROME RAGNI & JAMES RADO, Music by GALT MACDERMOT Directed by DIANE PAULUS in the Delacourt Theatre in Central Park this past week, while it is still in previews. It is scheduled to run through August 31.

The audiences was full of excitement and anticipation as we arrived on the beautiful, clear evening. The producer introduced the play with a brief history of the times, and a critic’s nasty (are we surprised) comments about the original production 40 years ago. He correctly drew parallels between those time and now, especially the the unpopular wars in Nam and Iraq, and the excruciating contrast of young people feeling empowered to oppose the war and speak out as compared to the general apathy today. It’s so very quiet when there is no draft and no daily photos of the war streaming into homes.

This show captures and reminded us of many of the the extreme contrasts and conflicts of the sixties, the pleasures and the pains, the freshness and the stupidities.

I am especially glad that they did not try to “update” or “adapt” the production for today. The book, music and spirit are still great.

The cast does a great job, full of beautiful energy, great voices, the band is great,  and at the end, many of the audience, us included, climbed on stage to dance with the cast for a reprise of Let the Sun Shine In.

Let’s do what we can to have “the sun shine in” for the November election.

Note for sixties grads: There is a special line for tickets for those older than 65. Check the Public Theatre website above for details. See, you managed to survive it all and now you do not have to sit on the grass for tickets if you don’t want to.