Alameda Civic Light Opera

ACLO — HAIR — production
Jeff Teague has done it again, He has directed and choreographed a second brilliant production to end his 2009 summer season of musicals on the Island of Alameda —
HAIR is a hot musical being produced on a number of stages this past summer to honor the summer of love and Woodstock. This production is the best of them. I actually saw HAIR for the first time in 1969 at the Geary Theatre in SF 40 years ago. And i have seen it many times since. This version at the ACLO is full of love and fun. The set flows into the Hofman breaking that wall that is sometimes hard to do in that space. The cast moves up and down the set bringing back some golden moments of love and classic numbers from James Rado and Ragni.
High lights include the classic «Hair» number performed by the three leads, well done. Ryan Rigazzi (imported from his break with Beach Blanket Babylon) steals the show as enters. Marcus Silva and Amanda Dolan are great. The whole company has brilliant timing and you get the tribe feeling from the moment you enter the Kofman lobby.
The controversial «where do I go» — clothes drop off as they did in 69, the lighting is perfect and mood is set — its a well staged number that didn’t seem to startle the Alameda crowd that was well warned they you would see their favorite ALCO players in the buff.
The closing was well staged the classic «let the sun shine in» was the second Act high light. Maybe the curtain call was a bit long to get to that after party when the audience is invited on stage to romp with the kids. I remember doing that at the Geary when i was a teen. I was shocked by the live chickens on stage. No live animals at the Hofman, just a tribe of great actors and singers who work their tails off from 7:30 when the house opens to well after the curtain closes dancing with their new fans.
Do what you can to see this version of HAIR at ACLO.
– congrats Jeff and company —
Vince

Most of the shows they put on are full of life, and certainly entertaining. It, of course, is subject to taste.
I know this season happening now is full of classics, but worth watching classics.