According to a Hair producer, the fight for gay marriage has become a company passion after activist efforts were spearheaded by star Gavin Creel, who is openly gay and plays Claude. What's great about this particular move, however, is that it's not like the announcement out of the Hair camp was that Creel will be taking a day off from the show so he can go down to D.C. by himself and fight a personal fight. No, the entire cast (and, although it doesn't say it explicitly in the Variety story, the crew, too?) will be going. It's inspiring to see Creel be supported by the entire cast, whether they're gay or straight.
My one question, in light of this news: How are the rest of the casts on the Great White Way going to react? You all gonna ante up and make the trip, too? Just because Hair encompasses themes of sexual freedom doesn't mean that it's the only Broadway show loved by gays. Hell, gays love most of Broadway! We watch it, work for it, write about it (ahem), etc. So I think the challenge should be for more productions than just Hairto take Oct. 11 off and head down to D.C. to march for equal rights. Wouldn't you agree, PopWatchers? Shouldn't shows like Wicked and Billy Elliot follow the lead of Hair?
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While I respect their views, I don’t think all of Broadway should follow suit. It is a business, after all.
Yes! This is great. Way to go Cast of Hair!
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yes they should.
I’d love it if all of Broadway went dark for the Oct. 11 rally…but unfortunately I agree that Broadway is a business (one which seems to constantly teeter on the edge of destruction) and they probably don’t want to risk offending all the tourist families that come to see Wicked or whatever by openly embracing gay marriage. Hair KNOWS their audience is pretty liberal, esp. on this issue, so they can not only get away with it but also get mad props for doing so.
I think it would be great! It is about time that everyone realized what an important issue this is and made the big push to get gay marriage recognized nation wide as a basic human right.
BTW, all is still well here in Canada where gay marriage has been a nation wide government supported right for about 4 years now. Nobody has spontaneouly burst into flames, no lightening bolts have come down from above, all of us straight people are still as happily married as the new gay married people are. No need to freak out America – it’s all good. And it will be just fine for you too when gay marriage is a nationally recognized right there. I promise.
If these productions are dark all on the same night to travel to DC, I think their message is going to be heard only by the converted. Wouldn’t it be more newsworthy if they all stopped in the middle of the performance for a minute of silent protest or something equally dramatic? Getting people talking about this issue is the goal and can be done without alienating the ‘business’ aspect of Broadway.
Good intentions, sure. But this march is all a bit silly. It’s poorly planned. Apparently, there are other events going on at the National Mall that day. And worse, Congress will be in recess.
Umm…Hairspray closed 7 months ago. But yes, I agree with the sentiment.
It is admirable to make this (1 day) move to make a statement about, and support a cause you believe in.
But, for a cast & crew of a Broadway musical, it’s barely going out a limb, dontcha think? And I mean a very short and sturdy limb, about an inch off the ground.
Which is to say – admirable yes; brave? not so much.
Maybe when (if) mainstream politicians, actors, and other people in public eye but who are closeted, take the admirable step of publicly denouncing anti-gay policies, attitudes and biases, then the bravery should lauded and applauded.
Good for them.
Dawn, did you confuse Hair with Hairspray?
That’s a pretty great thing for “Hair” to do. Good for them. I think other shows should follow their lead.
That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of the cast of the amazing and wonderful musical “Hair”!!!! I will see them at the march!!!
what a marriage!
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A great show just kept their classy message of equality and love for all going strong with this announcement. Yay Hair.
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Wow, way to diminish a message. This isn’t about Hair “knowing its audience” and “endearing gays to the show” – are you friggin’ serious? It’s about much more than that. First, Hair is a show not just about celebrating love, it’s about a generation standing up for what is right. This isn’t a case of “the gays love Hair, so Hair loves the gays!” This is about a company taking a stand and acknowledging that gays account for an extraordinary percentage of people in the business (not in the audience) and those people deserve the same human rights as everyone else. When you look at it that way, canceling the show and marching for rights in the ONLY answer, and more shows ought to follow suit.
YES!!! All Broadway shows should join Gavin Creel and the cast and crew of HAIR! How amazing and inspiring would that be to an already very worthy cause? Not only because many gays are huge theater lovers and supporters, but because it is the right thing to do and having all of Broadway go on notice would be another way to really get the attention of the whole country on this historic day. I know as a straight woman I plan to be there with the amazingly talented Gavin Creel and HAIR, as well as some of my own friends, gay and straight, fighting for what’s right. All of Broadway should too! Great suggestion!! Equality for everyone!!!
YES!!! All Broadway shows should join Gavin Creel and the cast and crew of HAIR! How amazing and inspiring would that be to an already very worthy cause? Not only because many gays are huge theater lovers and supporters, but because it is the right thing to do and having all of Broadway go on notice would be another way to really get the attention of the whole country on this historic day. I know as a straight woman I plan to be there with the amazingly talented Gavin Creel and HAIR, as well as some of my own friends, gay and straight, fighting for what’s right. All of Broadway should too! Great suggestion!! Equality for everyone!!!
Awesome! Way to go, guys! I hope the cast of every Broadway show has the stones to make a stand as well.
Cool.
And to the marriage foes, and sexually phobic, please find something else to do with your time, because life’s too short. Find love.
Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace,
Washington, Connecticut USA
I’m busy this summer officiating for many couples who are coming to CT from around the country to wed.
Congrats to all.
My daughter was in a production of “Hair” in San Jose in 2007. After meeting the cast, I asked her how many of her castmates were totally straight. “One” was her reply.