Allen Sawyer presented Hair in Concert at Feinstein's at the Nikko on August 25 and 26. I saw Hair 5O years ago at Joseph Papp's Public Theater, on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre, and at the Aquarius Theatre in Los Angeles. Allen Sawyer threw into the mix a lot of facts (e.g.: "Manhattan Beggar," I'm Hung", and Hello There" were cut between Off-Broadway and Broadway, and the musical received Tony nominations for Best Musical and Best Director but lost out to 1776).

Joe Wicht, who was associated with Hello, Dolly! in Concert and Mame in Concert, was the musical director and accompanied on the piano. The cast of brilliant singers consisted of Nikki Arias, Jesse Cortez, Brendan Getzell, Juliana Lustenader, Katrina McGraw, John Steel Jr., and Branden Noel Thomas. Each excelled singing the songs from Hair.

Juliana Lustenader was pitch perfect singing "Aquarius," "Black Boys," and "Easy to Be Hard." Nikki Arias with her vivacious voice sang "Frank Mills" and "Air," while Jesse Cortez with his bubbly vocal cords presented "Going Down," joined in a quartet on "What a Piece of Work Is Man," and was part of the chorus singing "Who Is Sylvia." Brendan Getzell shined in "Where Do I Go" and was with the cast on "What a Piece of Work Is Man" and "I'm Black/Ain't Got No."

Katrina McGraw rocked singing "Hello There," "Colored Spade," and "I Believe in Love," while John Steel Jr. sinuously executed "Donna" and "Good Morning Starshine." John with his glowing voice presented "Manchester England" and with Branden Noel Thomas was harmoniously energizing. Branden stood on his own with his powerful voice on "White Boys "and "Abie Baby." Nikki was ardent on "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, one of the extra songs that were sung, which also included everyone on "The Egg" from 1776. Joe pleasantly sang "My Conviction." The full cast was melodiously stimulating in "Sodomy," "Be In (Hare Krishna)," "Three-Five-Zero-Zero" and "Hair."

All and all, it was a pleasant evening.

Feinstein's Live Music Cabaret in the Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco. You can see their whole schedule at www.feinsteinhotelnikko.com.