By Justin McCallum

The Lehman Center welcomed a special performance of the Tony Award-winning musical, “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical,” featuring a freshly adapted screenplay for its 2014 tour.

“If you’re here for love, sex, drugs and rock and roll then you’re in the right theater,” welcomed Eva Bornstein, executive director of the Lehman Center.

Hair, regarded as the emblematic rock musical for the 1960s hippie movement, has showcased the laid-back lifestyle of counter-cultural movement.  However, Lehman’s concert hall was abuzz with excitement and some nerves as the audience, actors and director learned the show’s original co-writer James Rado and one of the show’s original actresses, Debbie Andrews, were in the audience.

“I’m absolutely very, very nervous, but it’s been a great experience since [Rado] and I have been collaborating for the last 7 or 8 months,” director Charles Roy said. “It has been great to work with him and I know he’s got some thoughts on how it is, but he’s been very complimentary about it all to me and the cast.”

Rado, who fielded questions from fans dressed in psychedelic garb during intermission, described how he adapted the book and lyrics for it’s 2014 tour. He called the newly reworked script “a well-oiled, finely calibrated and a bit more expansive version, with subtle new twists for plot and character,” in an introduction the program.

“The script and everything is still based on the original,” Rado said, assuring die-hard fans that they wouldn’t miss their favorite moments.

Director Roy was drawn to this iteration of Hair’s fresh quality.

“You have to keep things fresh so they don’t get humdrum, and the audiences have been giving us a wonderful reception so far,” he said.

The performance featured two songs, “Dead End” and “Xanaplanetooch,” from the original off Broadway production that did not make it to Broadway and had been rarely heard since the 1970’s.  Still, the changes in the show did not phase Ms. Andrews, who had been one of the first actresses to play the role of Chrissy.

“Although I haven’t seen the show recently at all, I still remember every line – I’m getting nervous before every cue,” said Andrews. “Except I almost scream ‘What!’ when the lines have changed, but it’s so much fun to see a new creative brain take on directing the last protest musical that ever was.”

The one night engagement attracted a sizable crowd, despite the scheduling conflict with the Super Bowl which led the touring agency to cancel the evening performance and only hold the earlier matinee, according to tour manager Tom Zaizar.

Bronx couple Errol and Alma T. are regulars at the Lehman Center despite their trek from Yankee Stadium.

“We enjoy it a lot,” they said in union. “It’s what we’ve come to expect here – good, fun shows at reasonable prices – especially for the Bronx.”

Roy also was pleasantly surprised with the accommodations the Bronx performance space had to offer as he meets many obstacles bringing a touring production across the country.

“There are lots of challenges in producing a touring show,” said Roy. “Difficult logistics and technical elements come with each individual theater, so you have to think ahead and pre-plan for what each challenge will require and integrate in those adaptive mechanisms.

“This venue here has been so awesome,” he added. “I’m so happy to be here in the Bronx and New York. We’re really hoping to bring the show back to New York in a couple of years.”

Rado was also happy to see the show back in his home city, and especially amused to see it at the Lehman Center.

“I’ve seen the show countless times, but this is definitely the first time in the Bronx,” Rado said.

The Lehman Center for the Arts is celebrating its 33rd year, considered the only world premiere performance space in the Bronx. For tickets and listings of their upcoming events, including soon to be announced additions to its spring season, call 718-960-8833 or visit their website.