The continuing series Voices from the Great White Way, produced by Phil Geoffrey Bond at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, hosted Heather Mac Rae. She appeared in the original Broadway production of Hair, when she was cast in 1968 to replace Diane Keaton.

Her show was partly a musical tribute, nostalgic rock down memory lane featuring many of the songs from what was then a shocking display of hippie anti-war sentiment, sex, drugs and nudity while her stories on these topics confirmed much of the realities of those topics. She also gave the audience a window into her long-lasting love affair with fellow actor Oatis Stephens.

Accompanying Mac Rae on piano was everyone’s favorite song, dance and piano man, Mark Nadler, who was a driving force. Mac Rae has a country-rock vocal style with a sweet fluidity. “Good Morning Starshine” paired with “Up on the Roof” was a clever arrangement as was the powerfully performed “Easy to Be Hard” with “Where Do I Go?” (arrangements Mark Nadler). Other Hair songs included “I Got Life," "Walking in Space," "What A Piece of Work Is Man.”

Julie Gold’s “South Bound Train” was touching and sensitively sung as was McBroom/ Brourman’s “Hope Floats.” The “Aquarius” encore satisfied the audience as they joined in, providing an unforgettable memory to self-proclaimed "hippie chick" Heather Mac Rae.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
April 13, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org