Picture this: you are sitting in a hazy theater, with streams of flowing green and red light and an effervescent moon hanging up above. A live band, electric guitars start jamming, led by a doe-eyed energetic conductor wearing a “hippie headband.”

This is not your average Broadway musical. This is an animal, a shape shifter that reflects a turbulent time period, breaking the fourth wall and any expectations of what a musical should be.

Being a fan of standard fare, I had no idea how much the incredible musical Hair would affect me. These tribe members made me completely suspend my disbelief as they handed out fliers and flowers for peace.

The seamless thread of songs weaving through time, chartering lives of joy and sorrow interested me, because seeing Hair was like an alternate reality. I was immediately sucked up into the songs and wild plot portraying a dynamic group of individuals “facing a dying nation.” When the characters were depressed about their lack of food and money, I cried with them, and when they realized other things in life were more important and sang hauntingly gorgeous melodies and refrains, I cried again with tears of happiness.

Needless to say, the show affected me in a profoundly emotional way. Whenever I’m feeling low, Broadway always helps me get through what I’m feeling. The fact that at the end, Hair’s celebration of joy spilled out into the audience and we were invited onstage solidified my love of theater. I stepped onto a legitimate Broadway stage, twirling around with the cast  and joyous audience members crossing all demographics.

As I belted “Let the Sun Shine In” with the camaraderie of people, I exploded with happiness. Hair teaches people to live and love fully, and to act when they find something wrong with society. These lessons are timeless, no matter who conveys them they will always be true. These lessons were incorporated into my life through the one thing I truly love: live theater.

Abby Barr – New York, NY