"The Flesh Failures" separates singers who can handle unusual rhythms from those who can't, much as "Carol of the Bells" separates orchestras who can keep the tempo fast enough to make four repetitions of a theme interesting from those who can't. It is essential to perform it just before "Let the Sunshine In" to keep the latter from turning into a joyous celebration of the sort seen in that PSA from 1970. The two together are crying out to be sung at the White House fence.
Which is why I'm utterly frustrated by this Dutch travel agency that completely strips 'Let the Sunshine in' from its context to use it as a ploy to sell horribly dull vacation packages.
I am famously callous and my kids are constantly joking about the Marine Corps beating all emotions out of me. What they don't realize, having been born into this era (1964) and having a Marine father, I watched the flag draped coffins come home, I attended to many funerals for neighbors, and EVERY time I hear this song, it brings me to tears.......
@@Neville60001 I would have absolutely zero concerns about my children joining, and would never stop them if it was their decision. I have one son who was in Afghanistan twice. My other children do not seem inclined, and it is THEIR decision.
I'm 69. Every few years I watch a presentation of Hair's Finale, and it is just like the first time I ever saw it in 1970. These are my people, these were my times, this was my life. And I cry.
This song is haunting and powerful. From the look of pure terror on poor Claude’s face knowing that he could die and the dropping of the flag…to the powerful voices emphasized here… How much exactly have we changed since the 60’s? In regards to our attitudes to war during this time? During this time the Iraq war was going on, and…well…the parallels between then and at that time were very clear.
Whenever I need a good cry to let lose the pent up frustrations, I first listen to the original Broadway recording then I come here to watch the visual that goes with it.
R.I.P Jim Rado, Hair co-creator and the original actor for Claude in the original 1967 cast. Without you, Broadway wouldn't be the way we see it today. Shine on, Jim.
I was fortunate enough to see this revival 3 times. They absolutely nailed it, The period, the style, the 60's vibe...and the talent on that stage! Oh my god the talent. Few things are worth the price of Broadway tickets nowadays, this experience however was absolutely priceless. I can't wait for the next revival! ☮️💜🕊🌈
Saw this revival many times on Broadway, tour, and when the tour came back to Broadway. Every time people were clapping along I was thinking “are you listening?? Do you know what you’re watching?” It’s not a joyous moment
Well, I see what you mean.. But clapping isn’t always “joyus”, think of protests.-often times people clap at protests to make their noise louder. Ya get what I’m sayin?
It's a protest song. The hippies are shouting out to "Let's the sunshine in" as a response to the senseless war. If the audience is clapping along, it means the song and performance is getting through to them along with the message. That's what the musical is aiming for. I've actually heard of many productions that heavily encourage audience participation during the final number. Some even invite the audience on stage for the number.
I'm from the UK and was visiting NY for my first time in 2009 and went to see this. LOVED the encore at the end where the audience can go up to dance to Let The Sunshine In, it was such a magical moment for me that if I ever hear this song it makes me cry a mixture of tears of happiness for the moment I lived plus sadness for what the musical is about
Gavin Creel is equally great at singing and at acting. I like the choice of a solo voice singing this bit rather than a large chorus all the way through. Really amazing.
Deeply moving piece :') gives me chills every time Also Gavin's voice is a-ma-zing needless to say but can we can we take a moment to appreciate his looks cause god he's beautiful *.*
Tropic Lightning, the patch with the yellow lightning bolt on a red background on his left sleeve. The famous 25th Infantry Division based out of Schofield Barracks, Oahu Hawaii, going back to WWII, Korea and Vietnam…
There's still the ole' medals and patches mixup with uniform decorations we see when a non-veteran is in charge of military costuming. This guy's service ribbons indicate he was a combat rifleman in Vietnam, but the red and gold patch (25th Infantry Division) should be on his RIGHT shoulder., & the LEFT for his present duty station.
DNAunion I don’t think so... if u look at Caissies mouth it seems to be she’s singing the high part... and it also sounds like her... they must of changed it or something later idk cause in the cast recording it is Sasha
My condolences to the people who had to hold hands with Cassie on those high notes. Cuz you know damn well she was squeezing as hard as her grip strength would let her.
I guess I'm spoiled, because I saw the original production in LA, with Ragni and Rado, and I had friends in the SF cast, and I went many many times, always for free! The thing about the original B'way cast, as well as the early LA, SF, and many other productions, is that they weren't just actors playing Hippies, they WERE Hippies, and felt every word like actors in later productions couldn't and would never understand. Going to one of the early productions was a truly spiritual and almost religious experience, unlike attending any other Broadway Musical. If you really want to hear this music in all its true glory, then listen to the album of the original Broadway cast, with the creators James Rado and Gerome Ragni playing Claude and Berger.
I was 15 in 1975 when I found my mom had the soundtrack and didn't understand most of the references - listened to it a hundred times anyway. The music is a good solid score and stands the test of time even if the cultural references don't. For somebody who wasn't there I'm not sure what meaning one can find in it all but it was certainly a masterwork from Lloyd Webber, the remarkable thing is how he went on to top it soon there after with "Superstar".
This isn't from Andrew Lloyd Weber you fool! The book and lyrics were written by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, who played Claude and Berger in the original Broadway production, and the music is by Galt MacDermot! Jeez!
I saw this revival 27 times. I experienced a dead saline in each perorfobnce, until the Tribe retirned to stage inviting ivititnig the audience on stage to dance.I adored the evening. seeing it it in the part when the show was canceled due to rain... we left chanting, "Hell no, we wont' go!"