‘Hair’ Recalls Dream Unfulfilled

The 30th anniversary revival of “Hair” at the Candlefish Theatre suffers from some weak voices and acoustical problems, but it is otherwise a rousing production that reminds us that the Age of Aquarius was more than just bad fashion, bad hair and bad drugs.

In Hollywood, the controversial issues raised by James Rado, Geromes Ragni and Galt MacDermot’s landmark rock musical have lost much shock potential. Menage a trois? Homosexual acts? Interracial lust? Nudity and lyrics containing clinical terminology for sex acts? Such topics are now commonplace here. How times have changed.

Douglas Crawford is convincing as the conflicted Claude, while Walter Winston ONeil’s Berger is suitably greasy and unfettered by society. The large ensemble is filled with colorful characterizations, including Dawn Worrall as the happily ditsy Jeannie and Agustine Pozo as a fruity Margaret Mead.

Director Mary Schafer catches the exuberance of youth, but along with musical directors ONeil and Danny Feldman, Schafer allows the onstage band (Feldman on piano, Joshua Hilson on bass, Christian Nesmith on lead guitar, Joshua Baldwin on drums and Juliana DiMaggio on percussion) to drown out the singing. That’s not unlike some rock concerts, but the lyrics are powerful enough that one wants to hear them.

The trio singing “Black Boys” (Tiffany Lynne Puhy, Lorene Noh and Marita deLara) are totally outshined by the Supreme-esque complementary trio singing “White Boys” (Marvette Williams, Tamika Katon-Donegal and Patrice DeGraff-Arenas). Williams, in particular, has a strong emotive voice, well-suited to this style of musical.

Bo Crowell’s choreography is generally effective, although not always as innovative. But he follows up the sinuous movie version’s choreography supplied by Twyla Tharp.

Over the last three decades, rock has infiltrated the American musical, but flower power hasn’t replaced war, and sympathy and understanding haven’t replaced racism. Watching the beaming multicultural cast on stage, one sees an American dream unfulfilled.

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* “Hair,” Candlefish Theatre, 1540 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. (dark this Saturday). Ends Sept. 27. $15. (323) 660-8587. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.