Hair Cancels October Matinee for National Equality Month

The Broadway revival of Hair will cancel its October 11 matinee performance so that the entire cast can join the National Equality March in Washington, DC. The event, designed to support gay marriage, will mirror a march held in October 1979 to fight for equal rights for the LGBT community. A Monday evening performance of the Tony-winning musical has been added on October 5.

After announcing the cancellation during a July 13 rally in Los Angeles (where the Hair cast gathered to appear on The Tonight Show), Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis said in a statement, “Hair has never been just a show; its message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach. This is the moment when we need to recognize the right of all citizens, gay and straight, to have their love and their unions acknowledged by the state. We are proud to join with [LGBT activist] Cleve Jones and the National Equality March in support of gay marriage. Peace now! Equality now! Justice forever!”

Hair opened on March 31 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, directed by Diane Paulus. In addition to the Best Revival Tony, the production received awards from the Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle, as well as the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Musical Revival.