The musical HAIR explodes on the Empire Arts Center stage, August 4-15 The Crimson Creek Players are proud to bring the Tony Award-winning musical experience, HAIR, to the Empire Arts Center stage, August 4-8 and 11-15. Just in time to usher in the dawning of a new age in America, Crimson Creek invokes this classic rock musical and explodes it on to a new generation. A celebration of life, a love letter to freedom, and a passionate cry for hope and change, HAIR features some of the greatest songs ever written for the stage, including “Aquarius,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and “Let the Sun Shine In.” HAIR: The American Tribal Rock Love Musical, with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, and music by Galt MacDermott, is the first rock musical, and is one of the most adventurous, outlandish, and ultimately profound musicals ever. Join the Tribe, a group of long-haired, politically active hippies, as they gather in this musical “be-in," unrestricted as it is by all the conventions of typical Broadway musicals. As the first and most successful of the rock musicals, HAIR possesses timelessness and a meaning that outlives the era of “flower power,” and provokes you to take part in this celebration of life. While HAIR is not a “story-book musical” in the conventional sense, it does follow the Tribe as they rally against racism, homophobia, sexism, and most importantly, war. Indicative of this tribal hippie mentality is free expression and drug use. HAIR follows the Tribe’s leader, Berger (Doug Chavis), and his best friend Claude (Jared Kinney) as the latter is forced to decide between burning his draft card or ending up in Vietnam. HAIR originally opened on Broadway on April 29, 1968 at the Biltmore Theatre during a truly tumultuous time. Just weeks earlier, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, and Robert Kennedy would be assassinated less than two months later. Six months later, the show would begin a two-year run at the Aquarius Theatre in Los Angeles. Ted Neely, an original cast member of that production, stated recently on “CBS Sunday Morning” that there were numerous bomb scares throughout the run of the show. Currently, HAIR has a revival currently playing on Broadway that received eight Tony Award nominations (winning for “Best Revival of a Musical”), eight Drama Desk Award nominations, and received the Outer Critics Circle Award for “Outstanding Revival of a Musical.” In 1969, our country witnessed numerous anti-war movements, including the “National Moratorium” demonstration that involved hundreds of thousands of people all over the country, and one in Washington, D.C. with almost half a million demonstrators. It was also the year of the legendary rock concert Woodstock, which took place from August 15-17 in Bethel, NY. The Crimson Creek production of HAIR will close exactly 40 years after this historic concert opened. HAIR is directed by Chris Berg (Great American Trailer Park Musical, Lucky Stiff) and musical director Matt Strand (Chicago, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd). Original choreography skillfully crafted by Laura Dvorak-Berry (North Dakota Ballet Company, Minnesota Dance Ensemble), and the production is produced by Benjamin Klipfel (Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Great American Trailer Park Musical). Crimson Creek’s HAIR will run August 4-8 and 11-15, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Empire Arts Center in downtown Grand Forks, ND. Tickets are $18/15 and are available in advance at 777-4090 (group discounts for parties of 10 or more). This production contains harsh and vulgar language, simulated drug use, and brief rear nudity. HAIR is intended for mature audiences. Walk-up discounts are available for parties who dress in “60’s style hippie clothing.” HAIR is sponsored, in part, by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund and the Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. HAIR features 20 of the Upper Midwest's top performers and is the must-see production of 2009. In celebration of the spirit of HAIR, a “Human Be-In” will be held in Town Square, Thursday, July 30, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join the cast of HAIR, the North River Ramblers, and Amazing Grains Food Co-op for an evening of fun and frivolity, including hula-hooping, henna tattoo painting, tye-dying, hemp tying, music and more. This event is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit http://www.ggfct.org. -- Benjamin Klipfel, Executive Director, Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre, info@ggfct.org, 777-4090