ATC's HAIR, Helmed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli, Begins Tonight

American Theater Company concludes the 2013-2014 Season with Hair, music & lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. Hair will be directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli with Music Direction by Austin Cook, and will run tonight, May 6 - June 29, 2014 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL.

Greenwich Village. 1967. During the most tumultuous year in our nation's history, a group of young hippies explore sex, love, and rock 'n' roll while fighting for civil rights and the end of the war in Vietnam. Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and author James Rado return some original 1967 off-Broadway material for this unique Chicago version of the controversial rock musical that forever changed the American theatre.

"Despite its thousands of productions around the globe, many would still argue that Hair is the most controversial musical of all time. But before the movie and Broadway productions, the rock musical was first produced in an intimate space that opened NY's Public Theater. After 45 years, we have returned the specificity to Hair in embracing the joy and tension surrounding one of the most turbulent years in American history. Chicagoans who remember the riots in Grant Park will be taken back to the violence, the fire of youth, and a nation divided enough to run out into the streets to say 'Enough is enough!'," says Artistic Director PJ Paparelli.

The production will feature Sky Seals (Berger), Zach Kenney (Claude), Ella Raymont (Sheila), Aaron Holland (Hud), Camille Robinson (Dionne), Christian Libonati (Woof), Mary Hollis Inboden (Jeanie), and Rachael Smith (Crissy). "The Tribe" is Liz Bollar, Candace Edwards, Gregory Geffrard, Addison Heimann, Cassandra Nelson, Travis Portia, and Matt Thinnes.

The creative team of Hair includes Austin Cook (Music Director), Mikey Rioux (Choreography), Keith Pitts (Set Design), Brittney Dee Bodley (Costume Designer), Brian Hoehne (Lighting Design), and Steven Yaussi (Sound Design). Production Stage Manager is Jon Nook.

Previews for Hair begin April 25, and the production will run through June 29, 2014. Tickets for Hair are currently on sale and available by calling the ATC box office at 773-409-4125 or by visiting the website atcweb.org. American Theater Company is located at 1909 W Byron St, off of Lincoln Avenue just south of Irving Park.