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Flower power revival

Keegan’s ‘Hair’ is youthful, fun and solid

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Hair, Inez Nassara, theater, Keegan, gay news, Washington Blade
Hair, Inez Nassara, theater, Keegan, gay news, Washington Blade

Inez Nassara and company in ‘Hair.’ (Photo by C. Stanley Photography; courtesy Keegan)

‘Hair’

Through April 27

Keegan Theatre

1742 Church Street, NW

$37-42

703-892-0202

Keegantheatre.com

With Keegan Theatre’s Helen Hayes Award-winning production of the Broadway musical “Rent” several seasons ago, company artistic director Mark A. Rhea and his wife Susan Marie Rhea rendered a glimpse into New York City bohemia in the ‘90s, insightfully tackling the show’s big issues like homelessness, AIDS and art. Now the co-directors have turned their attention to another era with their version of “Hair,” the groundbreaking rock musical also set in Manhattan but in the turbulent late ‘60s.

When “Hair” premiered in New York in 1967, its depiction of a counterculture youth was novel. Never before had bisexuality, interracial relationships, drug use, full frontal nudity and a strong antiwar sentiment been set to a beat you could dance to. Times were changing. Though less shocking today, “Hair” remains relevant, and so does Galt MacDermot’s timeless music (with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragini): a score that includes “Aquarius”/“Let the Sun Shine In,” “Hair” and “Easy To Be Hard” doesn’t languish on the shelf.

“Hair” is shaped more by a mood than a storyline. The plot is simple: A tribe of hippie kids pass the time dropping acid and making love in New York City. They’re content. But then Uncle Sam upsets the adolescent idyll with invitations to Vietnam, and suddenly the band of merrymakers is forced to make a decision: burn your draft card or go to war.

The show’s central relationship is a bisexual love triangle involving the tribe’s puckish leader Berger (Josh Sticklin), Sheila (Carolina Wolfson) a socially conscience college freshman, and Claude (played with heartrending honesty by Paul Scanlan), a young guy from working class Queens with a faux British accent who’s working out where he fits in Vietnam-era America. The original “Hair” featured a new kind of physical affection between men, opening up the way for future onstage portrayals of relationships and sexuality.

James Rado, co-creator and original star of “Hair,” has commented on his relationship with collaborator Gerome Ragni who died in 1991. Their relationship inspired the characters of Claude and Berger.

Like youth itself, “Hair” is filled with anguish and joy. Overall, the directors have embraced the darker side of the show. Set designer Matthew Keenan has followed suit opting for dreary realism with a squat-inspired two-tiered functional set. An old made over washing machine makes a tired salute to flower power.

Keegan’s ensemble-generated “Hair” features a full voiced, 20-plus person cast accompanied by an onstage nine-piece orchestra led by Jake Null. It’s a busy stage. While Rachel Leigh Dolan’s choreography celebrates the fun of communal living and a well-attended protest, it also functions as crowd control.

Made up mostly of diverse local talent, the show’s full-voiced cast is young and energetic. And though they look at home in their fringy vests, striped bell bottoms, granny skirts (compliments of costume designer Chelsey Schuller) and wild hair, they surely had to be familiarized with references to Spiro Agnew and others. While some of the acting, especially comedy, is lacking, their singing is largely on point — they do the familiar songs justice. Standouts include Jade Jones who demonstrates a big soulful voice and comedic flair. And Christian Montgomery is terrific as Woof, a gay hippie boy who insists he’s straight yet carries a very public torch for Mick Jagger.

As with Keegan’s previous musicals, “Hair” offers a solid opportunity to see the work of area actors early in their careers.

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Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, March 27

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected]

Saturday, March 28

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected]

Monday, March 30

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Tuesday, March 31

Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite

Wednesday, March 1

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, April 2

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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Out & About

Celebrate cherry blossoms the drag way

Unconventional Diner hosts bingo party

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The cherry blossoms are here. Celebrate at a unique event hosted by Unconventional Diner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.

Tickets can be secured via Resy.

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Sports

New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics

New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles

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(Photo by Greg Martin; courtesy IOC)

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.

“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.

The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”

“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”

The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”

The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

(Video courtesy of the IOC)

Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.

Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.

“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.

An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.

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