Hairomania (2008, Mrs. Stanski, Mr. Welters)

"Hairomania" - a literature project

Alexandra Shtansky

What the musical "Hair" and "Gymga" have in common? Long hair or hair on your teeth? Never. Tradition? Certainly. A versatile audience? Determined. From pleasant to questionable fashion style? For Sure. What is much more important and in 2008 of fundamental importance: Both celebrate an important anniversary. This was also an opportunity to recall this project - and better after months of hard work called "major project".

40 years ago, it abolished the Musical by Gerome Ragni, Rado and John Galt Mac Dermot's famous premiere on Broadway, where it made its triumphant through the world. That same year, 1968, it was also listed in Germany. The musical captures the spirit of the former hippies, addressed the urge for something different, after unconventionality, but also the detestation of the Vietnam War, racism and social requirements of the individual. Large and important issues that had to now implement in our literature course of the 12th grade.

Since it is a musical with the current literature project, two teachers were wisely conscripted: Mr. Frank Welters, responsible for the music, and I, in charge of the Literary. The goal is an ambitious, but truly it is crunch time: script writing, acting, singing, dancing, live music. It was expected that in the proclamation of the major project the astonishment in the new literature course was immense for the school year 2007/08: "I can not sing!" "I have two left feet" "My hair is much too short! "" are there roles for backstage? " the initial worries dissipated rather quickly as the singing- and acting talent of the students became clear. A great encouragement thrust caused the costumes: wide trousers, colorful tunic, leather vests and more made for surprises and a carnival atmosphere. First, I needed a decent script. The choice to write it ourselves or to purchase it,was not - 200 euros left no room for thinking (yes, that much is the entertainment industry!). In addition,  the original version had to be adjusted because our literature course that is certainly not small, with 48 students. Finally, many pupils as possible should act, sing and dance. Questions whether "Hair" should be set in the present day or thus the problem of the piece should be changed, were quickly rejected by the course: The students wanted it "realistic", ie 1968. New roles have been created, the original story so was rewritten of the screenplay Team Eva Schameitat, Jakob Fischer and Roland Cremerius.

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Here is the story in short form. The Vietnam War calls. The country bumpkin Jason Hudkins (Simon Vitz) travels to New York to join the obedient citizen duty and that to follow the draft notice for Army. But playing his guitar does Jason join the hippie group. Their leader Aden (Jakob Fischer) is ready for any fun, but takes the staid clean-cut American boy from Oklahoma under his wing. The trouble with the police and the high society NewYorks, the Group shall gladly accept, as they are involved rebellion, but also for social justice. Drugs and Rock and Roll dominate the scene, Jason loses his oh-so-brave farmer Heart of the noble Cameron (Anne Buchenau / Svenja Müller), a girl who is tired of the High Society and a crush on Jason. So the wild troupe moved to Nevada to allow Jason and Cameron last romantic hours prior to the war effort. The clever trick in which the bold Aden, disguised as an officer, Jason replaced for a few hours in the military camp, however, is fatal. Faster than expected, the military unit of Nevada is flown to Vietnam, the loyal friendship service Aden brings him to death. What remains in the end, is the belief that the overbearing arrogance of their country claimed the lives of young men. The last song "Let the Sunshine in" invites the young generation, especially the hippies, love, tolerance, forgiveness, calm and peace.

The samples consisted of singing, drama and dance. The band around Roland Cremerius, Alexander Gandke, Tim Schaefer and Nawid Ebadi practiced a nine pieces of music that are only partly taken from the original musical. Above all, the rehearsal of the four-part songs like "Aquarius" or "Hair" put high demands on the voices of the students and the nerves of Frank Welters. A stroke of luck is the fact that some students are already members of the school band "Outrageous" and can show others an amazing singing talent. The actors had to perform at their best, as there was no mercy on my part: Naked (almost) over the stage running, push ups and squats until you drop, passionate kisses, rough passages - everything was challenged and successfully implemented. Even though I myself sometimes was near a nervous breakdown, so I can see with confidence to a happy end of the sample. I wish us all a successful premiere and the theater at our school continues toi, toi, toi.