'Hair' and a Farewell to Gavin Creel

Wednesday 1 September was Gavin Creel's last appearance as Claude in 'Hair', so naturally we had to be there to say farewell, with Gareth only two seats away in the same row. We were smack bang in the middle of the row so I suffered some anxiety about exiting in time to reach the stage but, luckily, the hippies soothed my furrowed brow. We also had a new Woof tonight in the form of Matt DeAngelis giving it some good howl and Micky Mick moves.

Steel Burkhardt has really grown into the role of Burger and it's his now, flirting with the audience and, well, anyone with a pulse, picking on a blond bloke in the front row to be his 'mother' only to realise he was far too tall to kiss when
he stood up. Darius Nichols was, as ever, a sex beast ready to do anyone who lets their guard down and, amazingly crawled out to row L during 'Hair', fondling everyone in arm's reach - that's what I call stamina.

Of course, it was Gavin's big night and he got a great reception for 'Manchester England' and an even bigger response to 'I Got Life' that he clearly put his heart and soul into the song to the extent that he had to signal to the audience to stop clapping so the show could continue. And then, at the reprise, the rest of the cast stood to applaud him as well. The energy was flowing and he was at the centre of it. Then, with 'Hair', both he and Steel stripped off their tops to great applause and launched into the title song. Of course, that's what I look like without a shirt but I choose to be a bit more respectable.

It was going so well until we got to Gavin's next big song, 'Where Do I Go?' when Gavin got through the first line and then the emotion got to him and he couldn't sing. He got the Tribe to sing the next few lines to get him going and then he delivered a touching and heartfelt version of the song as the Tribe stripped behind him with all eyes on Gavin. After playing the role for so long it was obviously a difficult song to sing.

Since I've seen the show a few times before, it's easy to find the eyes wandering round the stage watching the other characters when they play supporting roles as members of the Tribe to make the whole performance work. I was really impressed with Kacie Sheik (pregnant Jeanie, goddess of the Lower East Side) and Allison Case (Crissy, originally played in London by Sonja Kristina) who never stepped out of character, even when at the back of the stage, still playing it for real. Allison delivers the definitive version of 'Frank Mills', so sweet and tender, and no, I wouldn't want the $2 back either.

Anyway, back to Gavin, who got through the rest of the show in solid fashion and got a standing ovation on his joining the rest of the cast at the end. But that always happens since it's such a great production. And then we all try to invade the stage, except we failed tonight since too many people were already up there (including Gareth) by the time we reached the steps - that's the problem of having great seats in the middle of the row. Still, we stood in front of the stage singing and clapping along and then Cassie Levy stepped forward to make an emotional speech thanking Gavin for being their leader in the show and in the cast while he was clearly touched and welling up. That was a nice touch. He came down from the balcony to join in the fun on the stage before, no doubt, leaving for the after-show party.

So that was my end to 'Hair' part 1. Part 2 comes on Saturday when the show closes. Luckily our seats are only two in from the aisle so we stand a good chance of being fondled by a hippy and getting a flower and invading the stage will be easy-peasy. I shall wear The Most Beautiful Shirt In The World, covered in hippy rosebuds, and sandals. I also need to weave some shiny beads into my beard and maybe some glitter. A final night must be celebrated appropriately.

Thank you Gavin, and all the best for the future.