BWW Interviews: HAIR's Kacie Sheik

Hi Kacie! A little late, but welcome to London! How are you enjoying life here so far?

London is so beautiful! The walk home at night after the show, it's breathtaking. The history, the buildings, the sky...thanks for having us, London!

Have you noticed a difference between US and UK audiences at all?

Yes, there are different reactions, audible and silent, to certain phrases, moments, visuals...We can see the audience vividly, so we notice what they are noticing. It's very cool theatre in that way...US or British audiences, everybody has a reason for looking at something in their own way, and it's interesting for us to gain that perspective from the stage every night.

How has it been gaining new British tribe members?

Beautiful as always. Since the show started growing and evolving in 2007, until now, we've learned from every single new tribe member. From listening to their character presentations, to observing and living with them onstage during the performances...new Tribe members become one of us. 

Hair is such a fun and lively show...have there been any major bloopers so far? Or any funny stories you'd like to share with our readers?!

Recently we've had some good shout-outs from the audience. A few weeks ago a boy started crowing after Claude crows.

What is your favourite song from the show to perform, and why?

The music during the Trip (Walking In Space and 3-5-0-0 into waking Claude up). The "Trip" section is full of insanity and off-the-wall moments, but also some of the best choral vocals and harmonies in the score to sing. AND the band really rocks out during the wide array of genre switch-ups in a matter of 15 minutes. It's awesome. Lying on the ground as our friends sing What A Piece is haunting, and the song is one of my faves, followed by a perfect lyric for Hair: "How dare they try to end this beauty."

If you could play any other character in the show, male or female, who would it be and why?

I think we should all try them all. For a week or something. Don't you do a mix-mash-up here in the West End?!

Unfortunately, we don't! But it sounds like a fabulous idea!! Go for it!

And now for the question everybody will be wondering about! Were you all nervous the first time you had to strip off in front of a live audience?

Honestly, I'm sure we were...it was definitely "excited-nervous". And it helped that we were all in it together. It's such an important moment. And now, during these summer months in London, we are so hot at that point, we can't wait!?? 

Has anyone in the audience ever become so swept away by the show (or perhaps by over-consumption of alcohol!), that they've decided to join in your naked protest?

Yes, back in Central Park during the summer run....and the occasional shirtless men, and women in their bras during the dance party, even here in London.

Hair seems to bring people back time and time again. What is it about the show that you think touches people so much?

You can choose who you relate to, which person's story onstage was your story, or is your story even today, or your mom or dad's story they've always told you about. From the specificity of the history involved, to the overall themes of love and oneness, peace, and freedom....it's contagious.

How does it make you feel when you see so many people getting up on stage at the end of the show to dance and celebrate with you all?   

I can't wait for those who didn't know they could, to realize they can. The excitement and surprise is perfect.

It seems you've been making the most out of your time here, taking part in all sorts of wonderful events like West End Live, Pride, Latitude, the Be-In...what has been your favourite non-Gielgud performance in the UK so far, and why?   

At West End Live it was very exciting to see some of the other shows we won't get a chance to, even during soundcheck...and my mom and dad were visiting then! I was out of town for the Be-In, but I am sure that evening would have been beautiful to be a part of. The photos and videos are evidence of that. The concerts with The Tribe are an obsession of all of ours to be a part of, and go see. We all love to sing songs we love for great causes, whenever anyone needs, or asks. And to watch your friends shine so bright in a different way than you see them every night is an experience to never forget.

What have the hippies been getting up to in their spare time?  

Travel. London is in the middle of so much greatness. It's been an adventure I'm so very grateful for. I'm answering these questions now on a train on our way back from Bruges.

What's next for London's favourite hippies after September 4th (which will be a sad day for all)?

I think you'll see some of us in Hair when you visit the US and catch up with the tour...some of us in new Broadway shows already in place, and newer ones just starting, and some of us in that next big thing to change our lives, the way Hair has... Music, Fine and Performing Arts, Stage and Screen....we'll see! Thank you for everything, London. It's been real and surreal and we just love it here with you guys.

Thanks, Kacie!

Catch Kacie as the pregnant Jeanie in HAIR at the Gielgud Theatre until September 4th 2010, and join us again soon as we catch up with Gavin Creel and other cast members.

 

Photo by Michael Le Poer Trench

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