STAGE REVIEW : ‘Hair’ at Fullerton Offers Return Trip to Age of Aquarius

Director Gary Gardner presents Fullerton College’s “Hair” as something of a history lesson, almost a seminar on the Age of Aquarius augmented by a cast of dozens.

The college’s Campus Theatre has been turned into the expected psychedelic menagerie, brimming with peace symbols, protest signs and longhaired, bead-swinging kids, all moving to Galt McDermott’s rockish score. But Gardner, with help from Jay Shelp and set designer Bob Jensen, also has a giant projection screen looming in the background.

The musical begins with images of JFK and LBJ, giving way to love-ins and demonstrations. Slides of Jimi Hendrix, the Who, the Beatles and others flash in a steady stream. And as the show progresses, we see photos designed to underscore the action and make it more relevant.

It’s not a bad idea. For one thing, it shows Gardner’s respectful attitude toward Gerome Ragni and James Rado’s 1967 Broadway hit. “Hair,” after all, was once hailed as a signpost of the times, and was perhaps the first musical to use rock as the primary impetus for its music.

Beyond that, Gardner is committed to reminding his audience, a large percentage being Fullerton College students, that the ‘60s were important and extraordinary, and that a generation of young people was in large part responsible. He makes the point too obviously, but there is inspiration at work.

As a musical experience, however, this “Hair” has too many ragged edges.

The textures are basically right--the costumes (uncredited) are bell-bottomed, tie-dyed and sloppy cool, and Jensen’s sprawling set, though messy, incorporates symbols of the times. He’s even put a vintage VW bus on stage.

Gardner falters, though, in the tempo he generates. In most numbers, he opts for spirited renditions, which make for a generally correct handling of this antic musical. But just about every scene is offered as a celebratory freak-out, with the entire cast getting in on it, and that leads to redundancy and predictability.

As for his performers, Gardner has a spunky group with some decent voices, although many are still “in training.” Jeff Weeks’ Berger, the hippy leader, is sassy and egotistical, just the guy to turn on the chicks and impress the dudes. In the more important role of Claude, whose being drafted and having to fight in Vietnam is central to the play, Keith Henderson gives us a glimmer of the inner conflict he’s battling.

‘HAIR’

A Fullerton College production of the Jerome Ragni/James Rado/Galt McDermott musical. Directed by Gary Gardner. With Jeff Weeks, A.E. Kessel, Keith Henderson, Cress Williams, Bradley A. Whitfield, Jose Amado Lavarreda, Brook Wills, Aimee Boice, Bronwyn Dodson, Jennifer Marchand, Monique Naffaa, Aaron J. Paholski, Dawn Marie Ashley and S. Glaudini. Choreography by Stacie Finn. Set by Bob Jensen. Lighting by Steven Craig. Projections by Bob Jensen and Jay Shelp. Sound by Trent Nelson. Musical director Gary McRoberts. Gary McRoberts on keyboards, Ray Mahoney on guitar and Issac Sanchez on drums. Plays Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Campus Theatre, 321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton. Tickets: $5 and $6. (714) 871-8101.