The Williamsburg Players’ latest production, “Hair,” tells a tale of the peace, love, drugs and draft protests quintessential to its 1960s setting. But as director Dana Margulies Cauthen works to fine tune the musical in time for its run at the James-York Playhouse Nov. 2-17, she said it’s also much more than that.
“It’s actually a lot deeper than that,” Cauthen said. “I think ‘Hair’ is a lot more universal than anyone thinks.”
The story tackles themes of identity, community and responsibility. Like many other plays, it boils down to a person seeking a place in a confounding world, as protagonist Clyde wrestles with whether to join his friends in dodging the draft during the Vietnam War.
“It’s about a 20-something finding his way,” Cauthen said, comparing the lead character to Hamlet and calling him “the disenfranchised among the disenfranchised.”
The cast of 16 skews younger to remain authentic to the typical age of protestors at the time. Cauthen encouraged them to research the era, exploring the draft lottery to make the 60s counterculture feel more real.
“I stressed to them that we really had to get into the times,” she said, noting that even the 1980s of her childhood differed dramatically from the world of the 1960s.
To help sell the setting, costume designer Dylan George worked to assemble authentic outfits and accessories.
The set incorporates a Volkswagen Beetle adorned in psychedelic colors and a climbable tower that adds versatility to the production. A stage-within-a-stage showcases the band performing the musical’s classic songs, including “Aquarius” and “Let the Sunshine In.”
The ensemble took to the plaza in New Town Saturday, dancing and singing to 60’s songs by the Grateful Dead, Aretha Franklin and more in an effort to promote the play. Cauthen said it was well-received as widespread power outages ensured lots of foot traffic at the shopping center.
The cast brings together Players’ alumni and newcomers.
“It’s an incredibly diverse cast, which is something we need in our theater,” Cauthen said. “I think there’s a huge amount of talent.”
Further fostering the period-piece aesthetic, Cauthen by-and-large banned phones during rehearsals. She said the move stemmed from an observation that casts don’t seem to bond onset in the same way since the advent of the devices.
“We have really come together quickly. It’s really helped us immerse ourselves in this world,” said Allison Stover, who plays the role of Jeanie. “We’re all kind of learning about ourselves as we do it.”
Want to go?
“Hair” runs Nov. 2-17 at the James-York Playhouse, 200 Hubbard Lane. Tickets are $20 or $12 for students, available at williamsburgplayers.org or by calling 229-0431.
