Five questions for Hair’s Darius Nichols

The exuberant musical Hair opens tonight at the Buell Theathre.

The show is about a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time.  Hair has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. It features an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs, including “Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In,” “Good Morning, Starshine” and “Easy To Be Hard.”

Hair runs through Oct. 16.

Before the curtain rises, Out Front Colorado asked Darius Nichols (Hud) five questions about the show:

For those who have never seen “Hair,” what’s it about?
This story is set in 1967 and revolves around a group of friends in New York City known as The Tribe. They pride themselves as free thinking, anti-Vietnam war protesters. Free love and recreational drug use were big pleasures for this group when they are not protesting the war or marching for rival rights.

Tell us about your character.
Hud Johnson, the often misunderstood outspoken member of the tribe. He’s one of the few tribe members that went to college. He’s well read and very sensual.

What do you think makes “Hair,” so original?
Hair is unique in the way the audience is not just voyeurs like in most shows, but actual participants in the telling of the story. We spend most of the time talking directly to them, asking them to respond, touching them, dancing with them and at the end inviting them on stage with us for a dance party!

Each cast and crew leaves its own mark on the musical, what does your cast do to make the show your own?
We have heard that our production is actually more sensual than productions of the past. We really enjoy each other on stage physically.

What’s your favorite thing to do in each city while on tour?
I am an amateur photographer and really enjoy photographing my surrounding. Local art museums are also a favorite destination. And I love to eat!