Hippy musical set to win new fans

Richard Marshall

Nudity, hippy love and rock - it's all coming to your neighbourhood.

Rotorua Musical Theatre will release tickets to its production of Hair today with predictions the shows will sell out fast.

Musical director Richard Marshall said more than 20 per cent of tickets had been bought in pre-sales so far.

The American tribal love-rock musical popularised the spirit of the 1960s, he said.

"Everyone interested in taking a journey back to the hippie era of 1968 is encouraged to book now before they miss out.

"It awakens from its bell-bottomed, tie-dyed time capsule to bring its message of freedom, peace and love to Rotorua."

Hair is the story of a group of young Americans searching for love and peace during the Vietnam era.

It is a timeless portrait of a movement that changed the world and its groundbreaking rock score paved the way for some of the greatest musicals of our time.

The musical included dozens of unforgettable songs, like Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, Good Morning, Starshine and Easy to be Hard.

Time magazine described the musical as more daring now than when it was first produced, Mr Marshall said.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at the Rotorua Convention Centre, or online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz.

Hair will run from Friday May 16 for a strictly limited season at Casa Blanca Theatre, Riri St.