Public Theater's Hair to Transfer to Broadway in 2009

The Public Theater has announced that it will transfer director Diane Paulus' production of Hair to Broadway this season. The revival, a critical and popular success at Central Park's Delacorte Theater since beginning performances on July 22, will close on September 14 and reopen "after the first of the year," according to a news release, with Elizabeth I. McCann as producing partner. A theater and dates will be announced shortly.

Hair, which features a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot had its world premiere at the Public in 1967 and later played 1,873 performances on Broadway.

The news release did not specify whether Tony nominee Jonathan Groff has committed to play the central role of Claude in the Broadway production. Groff departed Hair before the revival's first extension it has been extended a total of three times to take a major role in Ang Lee's forthcoming feature film Taking Woodstock. Groff had previously been announced as a cast member of Craig Lucas' new play Prayer for My Enemy, which will begin previews at Playwrights Horizons on November 14. Christopher J. Hanke assumed the role of Claude in Hair after Groff's departure.

The current cast for Hair also features Ato Blankson-Wood Tribe, Steel Burkhardt Tribe, Jackie Burns Black Boys Trio/Tribe, Allison Case Crissy, Lauren Elder Tribe, Allison Guinn Tribe, Anthony Hollock Tribe, Kaitlin Kiyan Tribe, Andrew Kober Father/Margaret Mead, Megan Lawrence Mother, Nicole Lewis White Boys Trio / Tribe, Caren Lyn Manuel Sheila, Patina Renea Miller Dionne, John Moauro Tribe, Darius Nichols Hud, Brandon Pearson Tribe, Megan Reinking Black Boys Trio / Tribe, Paris Remillard Tribe, Bryce Ryness Woof, Saycon Sengbloh White Boys Trio / Tribe, Maya Sharpe Tribe, Kacie Sheik Jeanie, Theo Stockman Tribe, Will Swenson Berger and Tommar Wilson Tribe.

Hair features scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Michael McDonald, lighting design by Michael Chybowski, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and choreography by Karole Armitage.