words and sounds

(L-R) Jeanette Bayardelle, Kyle Riabko, Ace Young, and Diana DeGarmo

From all accounts, the new Broadway cast of tribal rock love opera HAIR had a wonderful opening. However, from this picture, I can’t help but wonder if all is right in love town.

Awkward performance shot aside, I’m really excited about this new cast. Jeanette Bayardelle, cast as Dionne, gets to sing “Aquarius”, one of the more recognizable songs in the show. If her performance as Celie in The Color Purple is any indication, she will knock this song into the middle of next millennium.

I’ve also become a major fan of Diana DeGarmo since her days on American Idol. She’s done stints as Penny in Hairspray and played the lead in the first national tour of BKLYN in addition to many other starring roles in regional houses, proving her dedication and immense talent as a musical theatre artist.

I’m also very excited for Catherine Brookman. She is a fellow MT09’er and she is a member of the new tribe. I recently became obsessed with her voice after finding an a cappella arrangement of Regina Spektor‘s “Samson” that took my breath away.

While I will miss the original tribe, I wish them luck in London and welcome this new tribe with open arms. I leave you with a video of the new group singing “Let The Sun Shine” after their first week of rehearsal.

QUESTION: Have you seen HAIR before, either the current revival or the original? If so, what did you think of it and the points it makes about our society?