Kokandy Productions launches season with rock musical 'Hair'

CHICAGO, ILL. - Hot off its record-breaking runs of "Jekyll & Hyde" and "Amélie," Kokandy Productions is launching its 2026 season with the revolutionary "love-rock" musical "Hair." The production runs July 2 through Sept. 13, 2026, on the Chopin Theatre Mainstage, 1543 W. Division St.

Directed and choreographed by Brennan Urbi with music direction by Kara Olander, "Hair" features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. The press opening is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 7 p.m.

The American tribal love-rock musical celebrates the 1960s counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. Driven by an energetic rock beat, the show features iconic songs such as "Aquarius," "Good Morning, Starshine," "Hair," "I Got Life" and "Let the Sunshine In." Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace, the musical remains as relevant as ever in its examination of youth culture in a changing world.

"This is a show about chosen family and active community, exploring how we can build support and fight for each other — no matter the generation, place or time," Urbi said. "We have a knockout cast who are ready to rock! By building today's versions of these well-known characters, we're going to find out how this iconic '60s score reverberates all the way to summer 2026."

The production features Gavin Rhys as Claude, Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor as Sheila, Zac Richey as Berger, Amy Yesom Kim as Crissy, Chosen Mitchell as Dionne, Stone TeSelle as Woof, Nicki Rossi as Jeannie and Joshua Emmanuel as Hud.

The ensemble includes Diana Marilyn Alvarez, Caitlin Dobbins, Shayla Florence, Isadora Coco Gonzalez, Wolfie J, Mateo Palm, Quinn Simmons and Kijani X. Swings include Justin Aponte, Morgan Barber, Kevin Chlapecka, Allyriane Huq, Víctór López, Kenny Miller, Jack Saunders and Maliha Sayed.

The production team includes Eleanor Kahn (scenic design), Rachel Sypniewski (costume design), G "Max" Maxin IV (lighting design), Matt Reich (sound design), Lauren Ramos (properties design), Syd Genco (makeup design), Keith Ryan (wig design), Kirsten Baity (intimacy director), Chels Morgan (cultural competency specialist), Shane Roberie (casting director), Nicholas Reinhart (production manager), Kendyl Meyer (associate production manager), David Moreland (technical director), Lynsy Folckomer (A1), Alfonso Moreno (A2), Shelby Burgus (stage manager), Yasmeen "Yaz" Abiad (assistant stage manager), Michael Coppola (stage management intern), Scot Kokandy (executive producer) and Derek Van Barham (producing artistic director).

Production details

Previews run Thursday, July 2 through Friday, July 17, 2026, with the regular run scheduled from Sunday, July 19 through Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. Performances are held Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Please note that there will be no performance on Saturday, July 4, but an added performance has been scheduled for Monday, July 6 at 7 p.m.

Tickets for preview performances are $28.52 for general admission and $39.19 for reserved seating. During the regular run, tickets are $55.20 for general admission and $65.87 for reserved seating, while student and senior tickets are available for $44.52. All listed ticket prices include processing fees. Additionally, a limited number of lower-priced tickets are available to artists for each performance by using the code ARTIST. Tickets are on sale now at kokandyproductions.com or bit.ly/HairChicago.