Tod Strike to Headline Victorian Tour HAIR
StageArt Australia’s revival production of HAIR Summer of Love is packing up the hippy van and preparing to spread the timeless message of PEACE, FREEDOM and LOVE across the state of Victoria in 2014 after the show’s successful 2013 revival in Melbourne.
Not only will the company return to Melbourne, they will visit Warrnambool, Geelong, Warragul, Ballarat and Shepparton with more venues and dates to be announced.
StageArt Executive ProducerKatherine Armstrong said, “It’s an extremely exciting opportunity for us to take this beautiful production to the people of Victoria, both in terms of telling the story and expanding our audience well beyond Melbourne. The message HAIR provides is as relevant today as when it took the world by storm in the late 60’s”.
Coral Drouyn’s review for Stage Whispers was warm in its praise of the 2013 version of the production.
“When live theatre really works it is the most joyous and uplifting experience in the world…and this latest production of the 1968 Tony Award winning musical really works … nothing could dull the sheer exhilaration of this marvellous psychedelic celebration of life. It should feel dated, but instead it feels fresh, and raw, and passionate, and NOW.”
Tod Strike leads a cast made up of local Australian performers and guests from New York, London and South Africa in the role of ‘Berger’. Strike has performed on over 26 productions, which include Love Never Dies (Phantom Understudy, Ensemble), Cats (Gus, Munkastrap, Rum Tum Tugger),Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), South Pacific and Kiss Me Kate, to name a few. A former member of The Ten Tenors, in 2013 he enjoyed expanding his career by taking on the role of ‘Blake’ in ABC’s The Blake Murder Mysteries. HAIR Summer of Love presents a stunning opportunity for Strike, playing the role made famous by one of the show’s co-creators Gerome Ragni, “I am so excited to be part of this production, I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it”.
Alongside Strike in the role of ‘Claude’ is Mitchell Roberts, a WAPPA graduate who has enjoyed recent success in Naked Boys Singing and Children of Eden. He is currently making his way through Europe and New York City before returning to Australia to commence rehearsals. Jessica Barlow leads the women as the protest queen and love interest Sheila. Barlow has moved into this role after playing ‘Jeanie’ in the first season ofHAIR Summer of Love, “This is such a powerful show and playing the role of Sheila is a dream come true”.
Treading the stages of Australia for the first time is New York City resident Denise Devlin, who recently arrived in Melbourne after starring in many US productions including the national tour ofSeussical, the regional release of The Marvelous Wonderettes and performed as a lead vocalist on the Disney Cruise Lines. Devlin is playing the role of Dionne, the spiritual mentor who leads the cast with the show’s most famous song ‘Aquarius’.
Joined by Danny Medica (Woof), Chernae Howlett (Jeanie), Zenya Carmellotti (Chrissy), Gina Mets (Halley), Ryan Irland (Steve), Grace Agnew (Jennifer), Josh Stent (Thomas), Paige Burney (Melody), Thomas Bradford (Walter), Sarah Calsina (Marjorie), Will Atkinson (Kenny), Emily Keane, Alex Hodges, James Medley and Ashleigh Kreveld (Tribe & on stage swings).
HAIR Summer of Love is presented by StageArt Australia, who revived the show in February, 2013.
All Information and direct bookings www.hairthemusical.com.au
WARRNAMBOOL
The Lighthouse Theatre, 2 shows only
February 21st & 22nd. 7:30pm
Bookings www.lighthousetheatre.com.au or 03 5559 4999
ON SALE NOW
GEELONG
The Drama Theatre, 3 shows only
February 27th, 28th & March 1st. 8pm
Bookings www.gpac.org.au (03)5225 1200
ON SALE NOW
MELBOURNE
Chapel Off Chapel, 7 shows only
March 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th. 8pm
March 8th, 9th. 2pm (Matinees)
Bookings www.chapeloffchapel.com.au or 03 8290 7000
ON SALE NOW
WARRAGUL
West Gippsland Arts Centre, 2 shows only
March 14th, 15th. 8pm
Bookings www.wgac.org.au or 03 5624 2456
ON SALE NOW
BALLARAT
Her Majesty’s Theatre, 1 show only
April 2nd 8pm
Bookings www.hermaj.com or 03 5333 5888
ON SALE NOW
SHEPPARTON
Eastbank Centre, 1 show only
Bookings www.riverlinksvenues.com.au (03) 5832 9511
(Shepparton is on sale December 10)
Ticket Prices
Adults $59.50
Concession $55.50
Groups 10+ $54.50
U/13 $29.50