Randolph Academy For the Performing Arts

I went to see «Hair» on Saturday, July 28. Show began promptly at 8pm.
Having studied theatre, I was appalled at many aspects of the performance. The music was WAY too loud, nearly drowning the singing. 75% of the lyrics were unintelligible. The actors also don’t seem to have been properly trained in diction and elocution. Endings of words were dropped left and right, and I struggled to understand dialogue and lyrics. The company actors seemed to struggle with choreography — numerous company members outright watched others and copied movements. The actors also seemed to struggle with ***spoiler alert*** transitioning from peaceful, idealogical happiness to confusing and hurtful reality checks — they were either one emotion or the other with no transition in between. The director seemed to have made some interesting choices as many, many scenes were very confusing, even to someone familiar with this show. Negatives aside, the harmonies were very tight and lovely and the choreography (from those that knew it) was quite excellent.
The audience seemed to be comprised mostly of friends and family of the actors, and they were the rudest bunch of theatre-​goers I have ever seen. Every time their actor would appear or be highlighted, they would say to each other, «Oh there he /​she is,» and then talk for 10 minutes. The two people to my right and my left and the entire row behind me talked almost incessantly. No staff were on hand to shush these incredibly rude people.
Summarily: the songs are the best part of «Hair,» and they were completely swallowed by the overly loud music and the overly obnoxious audience. My husband and I left at intermission (only the second show I have ever done this in), and we will never attend another performance by this group.