HAiR The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical sypnosis
Claude sits center stage as the "tribe" mingles with the audience. Tribe members Sheila, a determined political activist, and Berger, an irreverent free spirit, cut a lock of Claude's hair and burn it in a receptacle. The tribe converges toward the stage, through the audience, beginning their celebration as children of the Age of Aquarius ("Aquarius").
Berger removes his trousers to reveal a loincloth, introducing himself to the audience as a "psychedelic teddy bear" and expressing his search for his Donna ("Donna"). The tribe recites a list of pharmaceuticals and engages in various interactions with the audience, expressing their unity and love for one another ("Hashish", "Sodomy").
Hud, a militant African-American, declares himself the "president of the United States of Love" as he is carried upside down on a pole ("Colored Spade"). Claude, speaking in a fake English accent, presents himself as "the most beautiful beast in the forest" from Manchester, England, but is reminded that he's actually from Flushing, New York ("Manchester England"). The tribe members express their identities and the things they lack ("I'm Black", "Invisible", "Ain't Got No").
Sheila leads the tribe in a protest chant, voicing her political convictions ("I Believe in Love"). Jeanie, an eccentric young woman wearing a gas mask, reveals her pregnancy and her complicated romantic entanglements with Claude and Berger ("Air", "Easy to Be Hard"). The tribe engages in satirical acts, challenging authority and the American education system ("Going Down", "Don't Put it Down").
The tribe invites the audience to a Be-In and participates in the celebration, with Crissy sharing her story about a boy named Frank Mills ("Be-In", "Frank Mills"). Claude agonizes over his draft notice and contemplates his purpose in life ("Where Do I Go"). The tribe emerges naked, embodying the ideals of freedom and happiness ("beads, flowers, freedom, happiness").
After a blackout, the tribe worships, attempting to summon Claude ("Oh Great God of Power"). Claude returns from the induction center, and tribe members act out an imagined conversation from his draft interview, discussing the racial implications of the war ("Electric Blues"). Berger gives Claude a hallucinogenic joint, leading him to experience visions while the tribe acts them out ("Walking in Space").
Claude hallucinates skydiving into the jungles of Vietnam, encountering historical figures, engaging in dances and facing violent encounters ("Abie Baby", "Three-Five-Zero-Zero"). As the trip sequence ends, the tribe reflects on the casualties of war and the nobility of humanity ("What A Piece of Work Is Man").
Claude expresses his struggle with street living and his desire to be invisible, while the tribe enjoys light moments and pays tribute to an old mattress ("I Got Life", "Good Morning Starshine", "The Bed"). Claude, now dressed in a military uniform, appears to the tribe as an invisible spirit, revealing that he has been drafted ("Claude! Claude!").
The tribe, including Claude, sings "Flesh Failures" and "Let the Sun Shine In" as they embrace their unity and hope for a brighter future. The curtain call features the reprise of "Let the Sun Shine In" and the tribe inviting audience members to join them on stage for a celebratory dance.
