"Incense incense is in the air."

HAIR

What it's about ... imagine every glorious, empowering, wide-eyed experience you, or your parents, or perhaps, grandparents, had in the 60’s, rolled up together with some of the most iconic and inspiring music of the era. Ultimately, however, this powerful, provocative, free-spirited, celebration to love, life and freedom of choice is, at its core, a love story sung to one of the over 58,300 whose names appear on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

Why you should go … half a century later, most of us Aquarians of a certain age remember each celestial melody.  Director Brenda Didier’s soulful, compelling and relevant return to 1967 and the "Summer of Love" stands apart from others for its clarity of the message from the past, and the earnest awakening of the material to a new generation. 

What to watch and listen for … this is an enormously talented, professional ensemble that looks -- and sounds -- much larger than it is in the hands of musical director/conductor Eugene Dizon. Liam Quealy, Matthew Keffer and Michelle Lauto all stand out with feature performances by Cherise Thomas, Evan Tyrone Martin and Lucy Godinez, who joins beautifully with Thomas and Leryn Turlington for "Air". 

Whose generation is this anyway … if you are under 50, this is literally -- and figuratively -- a trip to another era. Leave the youngsters at home and bring a neighbor or two to either reminise or explain it to you.

Making it count … each week the cast collects donations for worthy causes, demonstrating again the power of art to make a profound difference in our lives. Last week's inspired choice: Wounded Warrior Project. 

Is there really incense in the air … it just seems that way, but it's more like a thin haze, actually. "Breathe deep, while you sleep. Breathe deep."

MERCURY THEATER
HAIR
Now through September 24th

3745 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL ‎60613
Phone: 773 325-1700

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