Your Chicago Guide’s ickets for two to the press viewing of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical courtesy of Kokandy Productions.
Kokandy Productions’ brilliant interpretation of the revolutionary “love-rock” musical HAIR is currently playing at the Chopin Theatre Mainstage through September 13, 2026. And trust us, you dont want to miss this one!
We maybe dating ourselves here, but HAIR the original holds a very special place in our hearts. Promising an exhilarating summer of peace, love and righteous indignation, this production of the infamous musical does not disappoint. Directed and choreographed by Brennan Urbi with music direction by Kara Olander, HAIR features book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, and music by Galt MacDermot.
Anytime a Kokandy Productions cast takes the stage, it delivers on the promise of excellent vocals, cohesive ensemble work, and captivating audience engagement. HAIR is no different. It’s hard to distinguish the lead from the Ensemble, and that is how it should be in this celebration of free love, mind-altering drugs and peaceful protest.
HAIR celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. The theatre is staged to resemble a… what… perhaps a skateboarding park? Graffiti is as far as the eye can see in every direction, and not just graffiti, political statements. The audience is dropped in the middle of it all, and breaking the fourth wall, is invited to contribute their own graffiti to the set. Look around, you will see what is on the minds of your fellow audience members, and those thoughts are contemporary and pointed. The actors engage the audience even before the show starts, setting the scene and cultivating the energy they want around the stage. Because yes, the audience is in every direction.
To an infectious energetic rock beat, the show brings the house down with the classics like Aquarius, Hair and Let the Sunshine In. It explores the ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace. How is that for poignancy? HAIR remains relevant in its examination of what it’s like to be young in a changing world.
Brennan Urbi comments: “This is a show about chosen family and active community, exploring how we can build support and fight for each other — no matter the generation, place or time. We have a knockout cast who are ready to rock! By building today’s versions of these well-known characters, we’re going to find out how this iconic ’60s score reverberates all the way to summer 2026.”
HAIR tells the story of the “tribe”, a group of politically active, long-haired hippies, living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. Claude, his friend Berger, their roommate Sheila and their colorful group of friends struggle to balance their young lives, loves and the sexual revolution with their rebellion against the war and their conservative parents and society. Ultimately, Claude must decide whether to resist the draft, as his friends have done, or serve in Vietnam, compromising his pacifist principles and risking his life.
To tell you the truth, Kokandy’s HAIR took us on the Rollercoaster of emotions, from the highest highs to the tear-stained lows, and every place in between. As expected, Kokandy Productions’ use of the space and the very few props is broad, engulfing, and ultimately visually stunning (black light and neon glow body paint, anyone?) We have come to expect greatness from this company, and HAIR delivers that in spades. But don’t take our word for it, go see for yourselves. And try not to sing along with Aquarius, we dare you!
HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is now playing at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 West Division Street, in the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets on sale here.