THE RINGWALD PRESENTS THE MUSICAL HAIR!

Ferndale company stages the landmark musical with just one week of rehearsal.

FERNDALE, MI –Last August, a new program was born at The Ringwald. Since opening in 2007, artistic director Joe Bailey had wanted to produce little-seen musicals with one week of rehearsals and 4 performances. The first title in the Ringwald Reprise series was Applause, the musical version of the classic film All About Eve, and it was such a success that the Reprise series will now be a mainstay for the theatre.

This year’s show is Hair with music by Galt MacDermot and lyrics and book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado.

On this year’s selection, Joe Bailey said this, “While Hair is certainly more well-known than Applause, it still doesn’t get produced all that often. It’s also more of an ensemble show than Applause and it gives a lot of cast members a chance to really shine. And with a cast of 22, that felt like the right decision. Plus, given the climate in which we are currently living, it seems the perfect time to highlight some peaceful dissent.”

The Ringwald production will rehearse for a week and then offer 4 performances. The actors will be staged and moved and will be on-book. Performances will be August 8-11, 2025, at The Ringwald Theatre inside of Affirmations in Ferndale.

Hair is directed by Joe Bailey with Gretchen Schock assisting. The cast, all terrific area talent, will include Justin Bugeja, Shannon Christine, Matéo Davis, Nic Folson, Mia Frontiero, David Grivas, Melanie Grund, Garett Michael Harris, Jo Jackson, Foster Johns, Ryan Kayla, Kevin Keller, Marcus Laban, Peggy Lee, Lilly May, Jeff McMahon, Annette Orellana, Nicole Pascaretta, Maylin Planet, Dazjah Saunders, Geo Scherwin, and Harry Totten. Fiona Godfrey and Amanda Ruth will be on board as understudies.

Also on the directing team is Rachael L. Rose who will serve as music/vocal director.

Please Note: This production of Hair will include nudity.

It’s the dawning of a new era with Hair, the latest Ringwald Reprise playing August 8–11, 2025 at The Ringwald Theatre inside of Affirmations in downtown Ferndale.

Tickets for Hair are $30 for performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and $20 on Monday. Tickets are currently available at theRingwald.com. This year the Ringwald will be going cashless but credit cards will be accepted at the door. Performances on Friday, Saturday, and Monday are at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM. The Ringwald is located inside of Affirmations Community Center at 290 W. 9 Mile Road in downtown Ferndale, Michigan.      

The Ringwald opened 17 years ago on May 11, 2007, with Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy and became a mainstay of Detroit’s theatre community. Past highlights include Annie, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Beautiful Thing, Jingle Babs, The Inheritance, Misery, Puffs, Head Over Heels, The Rocky Horror Show, Heathers The Musical, Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, Angels in America, Into the Woods, August: Osage County, Mercury Fur, The Bad Seed, and Evil Dead: The Musical. The Ringwald was named 2009, 2012 and 2013 Best Theatrical Troupe by Real Detroit and Best Place to See Local Theatre in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by readers of Metro Times.

Hair

Music by Galt MacDermot

Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado

Book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado

CAST & CREW

Claude Jeff McMahon

Sheila Shannon Christine

Berger Garett Michael Harris

The Tribe

Justin Bugeja

Marcus Laban

Mateo Davis

Peggy Lee

Nic Folson

Lilly May

Mia Frontiero

Annette Orellano

David Grivas

Nicole Pascaretta

Melanie Grund

Maylin Planet

Jo Jackson

Dazjah Saunders

Foster Johns

Geo Scherwin

Ryan Kayla

Harry Totten

Kevin Keller

Understudies

Fiona Godfrey

Amanda Ruth

Director Joe Bailey

Assistant Director Gretchen Schock

Music and Vocal Director Rachael L. Rose

Technical Lead Jeff Holste

Lighting Design Brandy Joe Plambeck