Hinman Production Company combines the elements of love, drugs and war in its semester musical, “Hair,” with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Gait MacDermot, directed by Samantha Mooney and Dana Vernetti. The musical premiered at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6th, with additional performances at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7th and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

“Hair” tells the story of a “tribe” of friends fighting against government ideals during the Vietnam War. Together, they struggle to avoid the draft and the expectations of their conservative parents, instead seeking to spread the peace movement.

This is not the first time the Hinman Production Company has performed “Hair” in the Hinman Commons. In the last 30 years, “Hair” has been elected the semester musical multiple times, with performances in ’92 and ’02 prior to this semester’s production. HPC alumnus Mark Solkoff even plans to make the trip to Binghamton for the show.

“We can’t wait to breathe the air in the Commons once again!” Solkoff said.

Sean Marrin, a senior double-majoring in math and psychics, plays free-spirited Berger.

Marrin thinks “Hair” is one of the most experimental shows to ever make it to Broadway, warranting most of its success from how people identified with the message of the show.

“I auditioned because I wanted both the experience of sharing the joy of the show with audience and my cast as well as developing an understanding of the show and its importance as a period piece,” Marrin said.

Samantha Mooney, a co-director and a junior majoring in chemistry, found that “Hair” was different than other shows she has worked on with HPC because this is such an experimental production.

“This show was an extremely collaborative process, which required creative input from every single person involved,” Mooney said. “Many times actors suggested ideas that the directors loved, and were then incorporated into the show. I believe that everyone’s talents were fully utilized, which made this such a unique, wonderful experience.”

Dana Vernetti, a co-director and a sophomore majoring in political science, elaborated on the talents and strengths of the cast members who helped so significantly with the production’s formation.

“They truly have become their own ‘tribe’ and embraced everything the show stands for,” Vernetti said. “This is one of the biggest ensemble musicals there is, as there is rarely a time where the full cast isn’t on stage, which means everyone is interacting and working together all the time. It’s exhausting, and yet their energy level is always through the roof.”

Gregory Smaldone, a junior double-majoring in history and accounting, stars as Claude, the leader of the tribe. He thinks students will enjoy “Hair” because it is a very unique musical in that it is more about sending a message than about telling a story.

“It preaches the virtues of peace, loving people for who they are, and exploring the creative dose of life and of your mind,” Smaldone said. “It is also a strong condemnation of the Vietnam war and of the draft system in general, which at the time was a very radical position to take.”

This is certainly a musical that will not only entertain viewers throughout the entire performance, but will also be a production from which they can take something with them after the curtain call concludes.

There are moments of love, moments of intense drug trips and moments of clarity for the young tribe members who come to realizations about the government and what it means to be a leader. These elements make it impossible to miss this production, which promises to be a rewarding experience.

Performances are in the Hinman Commons. Tickets are $5 and are sold at the door.