'Hair' to bare all in Marblehead
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1700428368/Hair-to-bare-all-in-Marblehead
By Alan Burke
May 12, 2010
MARBLEHEAD Stage nudity is coming to Marblehead.
The Salem Theatre Company, needing a bigger space than its own
showplace on Lafayette Street, has rented the Marblehead Little
Theatre for a production of "Hair." The iconic "rock musical" created
a furor on its debut in 1967 with an interracial cast, approving drug
references, anti-war preachings, what some saw as the desecration of
the American flag and, most controversially, nudity.
In 1970, a Boston production mounted a few steps from Combat Zone
strip clubs was nearly banned because of a single, brief scene of
unclothed performers.
Starting June 2, the Salem Theatre will offer the show, says director
Catherine Bertrand, 28, in all its 1960s glory, including the famous
nude scene, exposing, potentially, the entire cast.
Forty years on, attitudes have changed, and even in this small town,
neither police Chief Robert Picariello nor Town Counsel Jeff Shribman
can cite any law or bylaw prohibiting the performance. Nor are they
particularly alarmed by it.
Similarly, Selectman Bill Woodfin invokes his own conservative
background before declaring, "I don't have any objections to it. It
would be different if it were exotic dancing." He stresses that he
isn't likely to go himself, but notes that the nudity is a part of
the play and thus acceptable. "As long as it's done in a tasteful way."
If this sort of thing is done repeatedly, Woodfin cautions, he might
have a problem with it. He approves of the theater's decision to bar
anyone under 18.
"It's not the appropriate place," recently retired Selectman Harry
Christensen says of the production. He expects most of his family
would reject the show. "It's not something I would want to see."
On the other hand, Christensen concedes that "New Marbleheaders are
probably better able to enjoy that sort of thing. ... Those people
not troubled by it ought to go and enjoy it." Christensen cannot
remember a comparable happening.
As described, it will be a far cry from the Golden Banana.
"It's a moment in the play," says Marbleheader John Fogle, who runs
the Salem group, "It's not the whole thing."
"It's less than 60 seconds," director Bertrand says. Then, "It's 21/2
hours without nudity. ... Nudity aside, I think it will be a very
good production."
She wonders why the drug references and sexual remarks "There are
tons of crass sexual references all done in jest" do not draw as
much attention. (There will be no disrespect shown to the flag,
Bertrand says.) "Hair" premiered as the country wrestled with issues
like race, drugs and the Vietnam War. It celebrated the "hippie"
movement, which revolted against authority figures.
Yet, Bertrand acknowledges, the nudity remains controversial, and
she's been asked about it again and again. As in the original
Broadway production, this cast of amateur performers participates
only if they want to. "I'm not forcing anybody to do it," she says.
Ironically, some who signed on proclaiming they would not appear nude
are now resolved to be part of it. Cast members are drawn from the
local area and are not unaware that they will be performing this
unusual scene before friends, neighbors and family.
"We laugh about it," Bertrand says. "Most people's parents are
coming." Some performers have yet to decide what they will do.
"People still have reservations. We'll see. Wait and see what happens
when they have one show left and they still haven't done it."
Bertrand was careful to investigate the town's bylaws, and someone
checked in with Picariello before she decided to unclothe her cast.
Because the Little Theatre on School Street remains an intimate
setting with fewer than 100 seats, the big moment must be carefully
planned, lest front-row patrons find themselves a little too close
for comfort. Thus, Bertrand will place her performers at a distance
from the audience, and they will be lit "creatively."
A Lynn native who studied theater at Salem State, Bertrand is no
stranger to controversial projects. Recently, she directed "The
Eight: Reindeer Monologues," an edgy satire targeting a fully clothed
Santa Claus. As to the possibility of controversy, she's not unaware
of its value the trouble in Boston 40 years ago helped fill
theaters all over the world.
"People may protest," Bertrand says. "If they do great."
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"Hair" runs June 2 to 12 at 7:30 p.m. (additional Saturday
performances at 2 p.m.) at the Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School
St. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door (students and
seniors $15 in advance/$20 at door). Call 978-790-8546 or e-mail
[email protected].
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