For Immediate Release: February 17, 2006
Media Contact: Bryan S. Clark, The Academy Theatre, 609.291.9000

Opening The Academy Theatre 2006 Season is the one and only American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, Hair.

Hair was a collaboration over a few turbulent years in the mid-1960s and was finally performed Off-Broadway for the first time in October of 1967. The collective effort of American-born book writers Gerome Ragni and James Rado combined with Canadian-born musical composer Galt Mac Dermot resulted in a musical that was as much a social statement as it was a slice of life in the time period that changed America forever. Now, nearly 40 years later, Hair stands as a snapshot of the past and continues to be as politically prevalent as it was in the 60s, particularly now when the nation stands so ethically divided. The Academy Theatre will spare no expense in this respect and present Hair in its original format; complete with nudity, adult situations, harsh language, and staged drug use.

Hair brings awareness and eyebrow-raising scenes and songs to a new tribe at The Academy Theatre under a new chieftain, Anthony D'Amato. Anthony will take the director's chair for the first time at The Academy Theatre, but is part of its extended family having been in the last two shows, Little Shop of Horrors and The Rocky Horror Show. When not directing, Anthony is a professional soul rock/R&B vocalist who has performed throughout the tri-state area in theatre, television, music, and nationwide as a master of ceremonies.

Collaborating with D'Amato is Musical Director Beth Moore. Beth is currently the director and music instructor for Central Regional High School in Bayville, NJ. Beth has worked as musical director for numerous productions in the past and founded the Berkeley Community Arts Alliance.

Manny Carrera will debut at The Academy Theatre in the role of Claude, a boy becoming man and a flower child that is struggling with responsibility. Manny has been seen in several shows all across the area and particularly in Philadelphia. In the past he has been seen at the Wilma Theatre, 47th St. Theatre, Storybook Musical Theatre, the Merriam, and a featured performer at the Walnut Street Theatre. Manny has also been seen regionally in many commercials, TV shows, and films and has been a member of the Philadelphia Boys Choir.

Claude's friend and roommate is Berger, played by Justin Walsh, who also makes his debut at The Academy Theatre. Justin is currently finishing his B.A. in English and Drama at Villanova University and has been seen in numerous roles and shows in the Philadelphia area including Godspell (twice), Grease, Guys and Dolls, and even Bobby in A Chorus Line.

Dori Erickson plays Sheila, the politically active NYU student. Dori has been seen all across Europe and Canada as Bebe in A Chorus Line's International Tour to those countries. Regionally, she has performed with Phoenix Productions in Annie Get Your Gun and Crazy For You, in Oklahoma for The Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Connecticut and Pirates of Penzance for NENA Production in Ocean Grove, NJ. Dori has been a Choreographer and Dance Instructor for many regional theatres and is a founding member of Rock Choir For Hire.

This trio is supported by a host of local and regional talents, including Jamal Sawab who plays Hud. Jamal, a Manhattan native and alumnus of the prestigious American Boychoir, has been performing in concert and theatre productions throughout the U.S. and Europe for more than 15 years. A classically trained vocalist, he is currently featured in Ridge Light Opera Company's Jerome Kern Cabaret. The Academy Theatre's production of Hair marks his fifth return to the Tribe, having performed the show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in the 1999 European Revival Tour. He was most recently seen as Schroeder in the revival production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at the Bickford Theatre. Some past highlights have included Andre and Jim in 4th Wall Theatre Inc.'s highly-acclaimed productions of Ain't Misbehavin' and Big River, the Scarecrow in The Wiz at the Count Basie Theatre, and the Leading Player in Pippin, for which he was honored with a Perry Award nomination.

Andrea Cartagena will also lend her talents as Jeanie, the pregnant member of the Tribe. Andrea has been involved in a number of productions as a performer, technician, stage manager, choreographer and director, although she was most recently seen at the Kelsey Theatre as Mae Peterson in Pennington Players' Bye Bye Birdie, Queen Aggravain in Playful Theatre's Once Upon A Mattress at Open Air Theatre, and as Ursula March in Pierrot Productions' Sweet Charity. Although New Jersey has been her most recent home for theatre, Andrea has been a part of many productions in New York, Pennsylvania, and touring with Cole Through the Night, an original Cole Porter Musical.

To maintain the continuity of the rock-musical, and in celebration of the most successful one, Hair, The Academy Theatre will showcase a different live band play after every evening performance. Starting with opening night at about 11 p.m., The Riotones will take the stage in conjunction with the comedy troupe Improv Riot. Each night will offer new and different musical entertainment from area artists. A complete list follows:

March 10: The Riotones & Improv Riot
March 11 & 18: One Eyed Jack
March 17: Acoustic Night featuring Bryan Lesnick, G. Starr, and Dennis McCarthy
March 24: Turtle Soup
March 25: Mordus & The Grande Olde Party

Hair's opening night (March 10) will also offer an opportunity to meet and speak with all the performers and the producers of the show. This event will also include special offers on this season, invitations for local media groups and organizations, and free concessions after the show.

Hair has, at this time, a limited run of only six performances. The show runs from March 10 to March 25, 2006. Performances take place every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., the live music played at the after-party will begin at 11 p.m. Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office at 609-291-9000. Ticket cost for just the musical Hair is $20, for just the live music following the show is $10, and tickets to both are $25. To see a seating chart or for more information on The Academy Theatre, check our website at www.theacademytheatre.com.

For more information regarding The Academy Theatre, this press release, or to arrange for interviews call Bryan S. Clark at 609-291-9000 or by emailing bryan.s.clark@theacademytheatre.com.

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