By Allison Klamkin, Staff Writer
It’s a rare circumstance for a Broadway show to replace 25 actors in a 32-member cast. In fact, it almost never happens. Two weeks ago, it did.
“Hair,” which won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, will open next month in London’s West End with almost the entire Broadway cast intact. And on Broadway? On March 9, 25 new actors, or members of the ‘Tribe,’ joined the seven cast members who will remain with the New York company to continue letting “the sunshine in” at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Among these new faces are “American Idol” alums Diana DeGarmo (first runner-up to Fantasia) as Shelia Franklin and Ace Young (seventh place on season five) as Berger – both of whom have previously appeared on Broadway. Canadian singer Kyle Riabko (“Spring Awakening,”) completes the triangle as Claude.
This revival of “Hair,” which began as a 40th anniversary concert held in Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre in July 2007, spawned a fully-staged production in the park in the summer of 2008 and transferred to Broadway last spring.
I saw the show again last Wednesday specifically to see the new Tribe. Going in, I was slightly apprehensive – seeing the show for the first time last summer was the best two and a half hours I’ve ever spent in a theatre. The original cast had a bond that could only be formed by a group of people who have worked so hard doing what they loved only to share it with thousands of people eight times a week.
Young was out due to a prior commitment, replaced by understudy (and original cast member) Steel Burkhardt, who had it all. His vocals were top notch and his comedic timing was perfect.
Riabko, who stepped into the role originated by Gavin Creel, is still trying to find his place in the show, with a few weak spots in his acting. However, his vocals are lovely and I’m anxious to see how he grows in the role.
DeGarmo is still the vocal powerhouse she was on “Idol.” Back in 2004, she was just a 16-year-old kid in a singing competition. Now, at 22 and with several musical theatre credits under her belt, DeGarmo has become a much more skilled performer, and has found her niche in musical theatre. Her rendition of “Easy to Be Hard,” Sheila’s first act ballad, brought down the house and the audience truly felt the hurt Sheila is feeling at that moment.
Jeannette Bayardelle (Dionne) kicked off the show with “Aquarius,” pulling the audience in with ease. Jason Wooten and Wallace Smith bring new life into the roles of Woof and Hud, respectively, with their comedic timing and impressive vocals (Wooten had the audience in stitches claiming the only boy he could ever fall for is Mick Jagger and then proceeding to join Sheila, Claude and Berger in a foursome). Vanessa Ray is adorable as the innocent Crissy, and Annaleigh Ashford steals every scene she’s in as the pregnant Jeannie, who is madly in love with Claude.
The rest of the Tribe is comprised of 18 talented individuals, who each get their chance to shine, whether it is in a duet or trio, or playing one of the many other roles in the show. Original cast member Josh Lamon is especially funny as Margaret Mead, the tourist who questions why the hippies have such long hair.
The new company of “Hair” was genuinely impressive. Despite their quick rehearsal period, the new Tribe has quickly become one and continues to spread the love and encourage the fight for peace and freedom during a time of war. Even if you’ve seen “Hair” before, go back and see it again – the new Tribe is not to be missed!

Diana Degarmo as Sheila and the rest of the cast of “Hair” (Photo source Joan Marcus)