Become a Hippie in Two Easy Steps

When the “American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” Hair first debuted in 1967, it was both catalyst to and commentary on sweeping changes in the social climate. The musical served as a beacon of progressive thought on hot topics like Vietnam, sex, drugs, race, and sexuality. You can make fun of hippies all day long, but their messages were Hair’s, and they were pretty good ones. So it’s interesting that 41-years later, our nation is still in a go-nowhere war orchestrated by the rich elite; we’re still puritanical with our bodies; we have a worse drug problem than ever owing to prescription medicine; race is a divider and a political distraction; and gays are refused the right to marry in many states. Thankfully, George Bush hasn’t reversed women’s suffrage yet. I guess we have come a long way, baby!

Seeing as we’ve not yet learned from Hair, we’re doomed to repeat it. The good news? This time, you can be a part of the tribal love. It’s easy: Put down the Grand Theft Auto IV and get over to the Lake Worth Playhouse (713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth) this Monday and Tuesday nights and take part in the auditions for Hair. Bring a song to sing (a pianist will be on hand to help out), and please, 18 and up only — apparently free love isn’t free. But try outs are; they start at 7 p.m. Call 561-586-6169, ext. 204, or visit www.lakeworthplayhouse.org.
Mon., May 12, 2008