Hair cancels 11 Oct performance so cast can join National Equality March in Washington DC

In an unprecedented move, the producers of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical have announced they are canceling the show�s 11 Oct performance so that the entire cast can join the National Equality March in Washington, D.C.

The announcement was made this evening by the cast of Hair at a spirited rally in Los Angeles (the entire company of Hair has traveled from New York to California to appear on tonight�s broadcast of �The Tonight Show with Conan O�Brien�).

The cast was joined at the rally by National Equality March organizer and historic LGBT activist Cleve Jones, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) and a handful of other prominent equality advocates.

In a statement, Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater and producer of Hair, said �The Public Theater has always aspired to make theater that matters, that speaks to the great social issues of our time. Hair has never been just a show; its message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach. This is the moment when we need to recognize the right of all citizens, gay and straight, to have their love and their unions acknowledged by the state. We are proud to join with Cleve Jones and the National Equality March in support of gay marriage. Peace now! Equality now! Justice forever!�

Ticketholders for the 11 Oct 2009 performance of Hair, can exchange their tickets for a different performance of Hair as follows: if you purchased your tickets at the box office, please bring your tickets back to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre Box Office; if you purchased your tickets through Telecharge.com (either by phone, by mail, or online), you can exchange your tickets by phone with Telecharge.com Customer Service Department (212-239-6210 in the tri-state area or 800-543-4835 outside of the tri-state area); if you purchased your tickets from any other source, you must contact the original ticket-seller.

Hair opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 31 Mar 2009, following previews from 6 Mar and is currently selling tickets through to 3 Jan 2010.

The musical opened to mostly excellent reviews: "emotionally rich revival" (NY Times); "a smile-inducing celebration of life and freedom" (NY Daily News); "the most exciting new show in town" (Bloomberg); "gives Broadway a welcome jolt of energy" (The REcord); "If this explosive production doesn't stir something in you, it may be time to check your pulse." (Variety).

With book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, and music by Galt MacDermot, Hair is directed by Diane Paulus.

The cast features Gavin Creel (Claude), Sasha Allen (Dionne, White Boys Trio), Caissie Levy (Sheila), Megan Lawrence (Mother), Bryce Ryness (Woof), Will Swenson (Berger), Jackie Burns (Black Boys Trio, Tribe), Kaitlin Kiyan (Black Boys Trio, Tribe), Nicole Lewis (White Boys Trio, Tribe), Megan Reinking (Black Boys Trio, Tribe) and Saycon Sengbloh (Abraham Lincoln, White Boys Trio, Tribe).

The musical depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60's and 70's that changed America forever: the musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War.

As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the "tribe" in Hair creates an irresistable message of hope, peace and change that continues to resonate with audiences 40 years later.

Hair was a phenomenal success when it first played on Broadway in the 60's, and again in 2008, when it was a hit at the Delacorte Theater.

The musical is being produced on Broadway by The Public Theater and Elizabeth Ireland McCann.

Hair was the show that, in 1967, officially opened The Public Theater�s long-time home on Lafayette Street.

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical has the distinction of being the first off-Broadway musical to transfer to Broadway, (It moved to Broadway on 29 Apr 1968 and ran for 1,873 performances).