[Mb-hair] La MaMa

[skonig at cox.net]

I would love to see this and revisit my most important years.  They were so full of life, love and happiness.  Since it was taped, I would love to hear/see it.
Thank you all Sussie Marn  Mercury Hair
> 
> From: William Swiggard <swiggard at comcast.net>
> Date: 2005/04/24 Sun PM 09:17:04 EDT
> To: mb-hair at islandlists.com
> Subject: Re: [Mb-hair] La MaMa
> 
> I have to add a few words to the reviews by Michael, Nina and Richard.  
> This event was astounding.
> 
> We learned many, many things - but for me, the most important chunk of 
> material was about HAIR's birth and birth pains, and its heritage from 
> La Mama. Gerry and Jim saw "Futz" there just as they were finishing the 
> script, and they were floored. At one point Sally Kirkland rode a 400 
> pound pig onstage in the altogether.  But it was Tom's style that made 
> them decide that this had to be the director for their show. What they 
> loved the most about "Futz" was the way Tom fused acting with dance, 
> yoga, acrobatics and circus stunts.  Also the blast of revolution and 
> rebellion that rolled over the audience, pouring out of a troupe of 
> actors who had been transformed into a family that breathed together - 
> by doing weeks of sensitivity exercises, structured and free movement, 
> improvisation and setting all those around him on fire with his 
> commitment to nothing short of changing the world. Sound familiar? 
> 
> Tom in turn gave credit to what he learned from Jerzy Grotowski.  Gerry 
> and Jim first approached Tom to direct the First Incarnation of Hair at 
> the Public, but Tom was committed to a tour in Europe with his repertory 
> troupe.  He returned after the show moved,  from the Public Theater to 
> the Cheetah, with Michael as co-producer with Joe Papp. The rest is, as 
> ya know, history... This was just one of about twenty such stories that 
> were told.  The group sing was truly spontaneous: none of us knew we 
> were going to be asked up onstage, much less asked to sing together.  
> Somehow, after nearly 40 years, the sense memory of singing those songs 
> took over and we managed to remember even the harmonies...Wow. 
> 
> The spirit of HAIR is very much alive in all of us, and when more than a 
> few of us get together, it takes over with amazing force, like being 
> swept up my a wave.
> 
> Thank goodness it was all taped.  Hopefully we will find a way to share 
> the tapes with the Tribe at large.
> 
> I hereby officially second Nina's idea to put together a large scale 
> reunion, perhaps for the 40th anniversary of the Broadway opening, at La 
> Mama.  It was fabulous seeing Debbie, Mike, Ian, Richard, Jeff Lunger, 
> Robert Rubinsky, Dale Soules, Nat Mosco and I'm sure I am leaving a ton 
> of names out.  The Tribe at large is way overdue for a big reunion now 
> that the Web has put us all back in contact.  Let's do it!
> 
> A zillion thanks to Michael for inviting us to this, and for sharing the 
> spotlight in such a generous and gracious way.
> 
> Peace, Love, Liberty, Happiness -
> Bill
> PS - did anybody else notice that Tom's cane was also a beautifully 
> carved wooden flute?  Details, please...
> 
> 
> Michael Butler wrote:
> 
> >Well, it was a super experience.
> >...
> >Final cap was when Jim, Tom and I went upstairs to see that lovely lady,
> >LaMaMa.
> >  
> >
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