[Mb-hair] Re- About the Russian Night

[John Zuehlke]

Thank you Michael.  Hebe and I really enjoyed the Russian production of HAiR 
even though we, like you, didn't understand any of the Russian.

The band was really excellent, and the performances quite good.
The Director, Stas Namin, was a most gracious host, and everyone with us had 
a blast talking with the Russian Tribe!  I really felt sorry for their 
prospects for fame and fortune in Russia (nil by their analysis), and the 
fact that evidently many of them have completely bought into the Hollywood 
Dream of stardom.

You made a most astute observation about the venue being designed for motion 
picture viewing rather than for live presentations.  We were fortunate to be 
able to get front-row seats in the side section, because the very 
high-backed chairs made it most difficult for Hebe to see anyone on stage 
over a chair row in front of her.

I was a little bothered when they performed "Frank Mills" after "Where Do I 
Go?", but then, when I discovered that they had cut HAiR into a one-act, I 
agreed with the song's placement.  (It's placement is not crucial to the 
development of the plot, and it, being a relatively slow ballad, helped as a 
buffer that kept "Where Do I Go?" from being clobbered by the rest of the 
show.  I was disappointed that so many of my favorite songs/segments had 
been cut, i.e.:  The whole Abraham Lincoln/Black Power number, "Don't Put It 
Down,"  "My Conviction,"  "The Bed," etc.  Is this the way it plays in 
Moscow, or were these cuts made to shorten the US performance?

But, all in all, it ROCKED!

Blessed be with peace, love, freedom, and happiness!
John

=================================
Original message:

Date: Fri, 07 Apr 2006 11:59:02 -0700
From: Michael Butler <michael at michaelbutler.com>
Subject: [Mb-hair] About the Russian Night
Message-ID: <C05C0486.2B084%michael at michaelbutler.com>


A very pleasant evening had by all. Understood few words, not the same show
we put together in Moscow so long ago. However a nice feeling, for sure
HAIR. The tribe was really hampered by the film screen stage. They did a
super job in such confines. It is nice to see that it has run so long in
Russia. (understand they start and stop shoe on a frequent basis-different
than here).
Stas Namin is to be complemented on presenting it and for his hospitality
afterwards.
Glad to see so many American Tribe members watching and enjoying the
evening.
Michael