RTC’s ‘Hair: UNPLUGGED’ Preview Benefit Concert

By Dan Guarino

Though still a month away from celebrating its opening night, the cast and directors of the musical “Hair” will be letting the sunshine in with a very special one-night only concert performance at the Rockaway Theatre Company (RTC).

On Sunday, November 2, at 7 p.m., these performers will be filling the stage at RTC’s John Gilleece Theater at Fort Tilden for “Hair: UNPLUGGED,” a preview concert and benefit to help an RTC family member in need. Tickets are $25 each, payable in cash-only at the door. No advance reservations are needed.

“Rehearsals have been going incredibly well,” noted Gabrielle Mangano, who, with co-director Nicola DePierro-Nellen, is in the midst of preparations for the full production of “Hair” premiering November 21 at RTC. “We have a powerhouse group of performers in our tribe, and it’s been a lot of fun bringing this show to life.”

Though presented as a concert, without costumes or staging, the November 2 show will offer a strong sample of what audiences can look forward to and more in the full show. Mangano said, “This concert-style performance features select songs from ‘Hair’ as well as other classics from the era. While there won’t be any scenes or choreography included, the audience can look forward to a powerful musical experience—and a taste of what’s to come” in the full production.

Leading the music for this concert, she said, is “our north star,” “Hair’s” musical director Jeff Arzberger, along with several of the musicians from the show’s live band. Featured will be the musical’s hits like “Good Morning, Starshine,” “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine”, along with “I Got Life,” “Frank Mills” and “a sprinkling of a few surprises from the 1960’s charts.”

Besides being a preview, “Hair: UNPLUGGED” is also a benefit concert “for our friend Michelle, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer,” Mangano said. “The Rockaway Theatre Company is Michelle’s home.”

She recalls they met through the RTC back in 2002, and immediately became very close. “Two decades of friendship is a sacred bond that transforms into family.

“She had breast cancer a few years ago and now it is back, spreading and incurable. She is 39 years old and living in North Carolina with her husband and two children,” Mangano explained. “All proceeds from this concert will help ease the road ahead for her family as they navigate through the difficult journey ahead.”

“This benefit concert is the least we can do to support her in this unimaginable time,” Mangano said on behalf the “Hair” cast, crew and creative team.

About the upcoming production and the music that will be previewed at the concert version, she said, “The show’s structure unfolds through a collection of vignettes that capture the essence of 1967—a time marked by social change, cultural awakening, and movements centered on race, anti-war sentiment, revolution, and free love. ‘Hair’ always finds a way to feel relevant- even nearly 60 years later.”

As a then groundbreaking theatrical work, the first ever rock musical, “Hair” debuted off-Broadway in late 1967. By Spring 1968, it opened on Broadway where it ran for 1,750 performances. Its score has produced several international hits and productions of “Hair” have been staged across the country and around the world in the decades since it hit the stage.

Mangano explained, “The songs in ‘Hair’ are momentous—they’re powerful, fun, and full of life. They capture the fearless energy of a generation pushing boundaries, uniting in spirit, and boldly expressing themselves. There’s something truly magnetic about the music; it’s raw, emotional, and timeless.”

That emotion and timelessness will find full voice in “Hair: UNPLUGGED.”

RTC’s full production of “Hair” itself will open on Friday, November 21, and run for 11 performances through Sunday, December 7. Showtimes will be Fridays and Saturdays November 21/22, 28/29 and December 5/6, plus Thursday December 4, at 8 p.m. Sunday performances will be on November 23, 30 and December 7 plus a special matinee on Saturday, November 29, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org

Co-director DePierro-Nellen adds for “Hair: UNPLUGGED,” the preview concert and benefit, “we want people to come away feeling reflective about universal themes, particularly community, and hopeful for a brighter future. We also want people to be excited to see the full show, as it will be a special experience!”

She and Mangano promise a program of “great music to support a beautiful human” being and sheer musical moments to let the sun shine in.

Photo by Dan Guarino.