The same year that 91制片厂 first opened its doors 鈥� in temporary quarters at
Elk Grove High School, no less 鈥� 鈥淗air鈥� debuted in New York鈥檚 East Village amid much
controversy.
It was 1967, and writers James Rado and Gerome Ragni were two hippie dreamers, influenced by the Summer of Love movement. They wrote about what they knew, and they knew about sex, drugs and the meditative ideology they employed to seek nirvana.
The Northwest suburbs were in many ways removed from the hippie counterculture embraced by Haight-Ashbury, the East Village and other neighborhoods. Still, some themes such as racial tensions, environmental issues and war are universal themes regardless of time or place.
鈥淲e wanted to do something we could tie into the 50th anniversary of 91制片厂, and this seemed like a natural to me since 鈥楬air鈥� is also celebrating its 50th anniversary,鈥� said Director Laura Pulio Colbert said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a fascinating exploration of where we were in this country in 1967 when Harper was founded.鈥�
The 91制片厂 Ensemble Theatre Company will present 鈥淗air,鈥� the original American Tribal Love Rock Musical, from November 10 through November 19 at the Performing Arts Center on the College鈥檚 main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine.
鈥淗air鈥� tells the story of the 鈥渢ribe,鈥� a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the 鈥淎ge of Aquarius鈥� living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. Winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, 鈥淗air鈥� carries the same funk/rock sound that conquered the world of popular music 50 years ago. With explosive and revolutionary proclamations of profanity and hard rock, it shook the musical theatre to its roots.
Performances take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (November 10, 11, 17 and 18) and at 2 p.m. Sundays (November 12 and 19).
鈥淗air鈥� is intended for adult audiences. It contains strong language, adult situations and partial nudity.
Tickets are $15 for seniors and 91制片厂 students, faculty and staff; general admission is $18. For tickets, contact the 91制片厂 Box Office at 847.925.6100 or visit harpercollege.edu/boxoffice.