NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Hair With Darius NicholsEver wonder about the routine of a Broadway actor on one of those grueling two-performance days? Darius Nichols, who plays Hud in the current Broadway engagement of Hair (a role he originated when in Diane Paulus' revival staging),offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look behind the scenes at a recent day at the theatre.
By
Matthew Blank
August 04, 2011
With digital camera in hand, Nichols takes us through his day, from morning wakeup with his dog Lucy to greeting fans at stage door at night's end and everything in between.
Enjoy a day at Hair with Darius Nichols:
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Hair With Darius Nichols
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Hair With Darius Nichols
Darius Nichols, who plays Hud in the current Broadway engagement of Hair (a role he originated when in Diane Paulus' revival staging), offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look at a recent two-show day, from morning wakeup to end-of-night relaxation.
121 PHOTOS
This is my usual view when I wake up. Lucy still sleeping.
Darius Nichols
A little face time in the mirror never hurts.
Darius Nichols
A scrambled eggs and raisin toast breakfast. Lucy is STILL resting!!
Darius Nichols
Hair has even become part of my home decor.
Darius Nichols
Checking my messages to make sure I'm not late for lift call… again!
Darius Nichols
It was a hot, hot, HOT Saturday this weekend.
Darius Nichols
Almost to the theatre and my AC unit in my dressing room. It's HOT out today.
Darius Nichols
Following Mike, Steel and Matt to the stage door of the St. James.
Darius Nichols
Adam, our friendly daytime doorman.
Darius Nichols
My Hair shrine in my dressing room.
Darius Nichols
Enjoying some peanut M&M's before lift call.
Darius Nichols
Corey Bradley and Nkrumah Gatling giving Caren the royal treament.
Darius Nichols
Sweaty lift call continues...
Darius Nichols
Laura Dreyfuss loves her coconut water!
Darius Nichols
Our Assistant Dance Captain Emily Afton taking time to sign Playbills
Darius Nichols
I caught Nkrumah dipping into the M&M's!
Darius Nichols
I know it looks crazy, but this really is a good pre-show warmup!
Darius Nichols
My dresser David waiting, and waiting...
Darius Nichols
Paris getting his hair done for the show.
Darius Nichols
Lisa tells me all the time to sit still or I will get poked in the head. I never listen!
Darius Nichols
Now the mic goes on top. With it in my wig I don't have those unsightly wires hanging down my back.
Darius Nichols
Lisa puts on the "Hud" wig and the finishing touches.
Darius Nichols
All done!!!
Darius Nichols
Now, it's your turn Mike!
Darius Nichols
Corey and Nkrumah signing autographs after show #1.
Darius Nichols
The matinee crowd waiting at the stage door
Darius Nichols
This fan brought a poster!
Darius Nichols
Shaleah Adkisson signing for the fans
Darius Nichols
Back for the evening show. This is Russ, our awesome night time doorman.
Darius Nichols
Rob giving us some sensual lighting in his office.
Darius Nichols
Members of the crew hanging out in between shows
Darius Nichols
Pre-show fun with the wardrobe department!
Darius Nichols
Look at all that underwear drying!
Darius Nichols
Setting up for tonight's show.
Darius Nichols
What are Greg and Mike looking for?
Darius Nichols
Nick Belton remembers to sign in tonight.
Darius Nichols
Katie has a visitor all the way from her homestate of Hawaii.
Darius Nichols
Kacie Sheik giving me some love!
Darius Nichols
Steel steams the voice before the second show.
Darius Nichols
Caren! Where do you think you're going?
Darius Nichols
Hey Phyre!! Who you calling?
Darius Nichols
Paris decides to try on Kacie's shirt...
Darius Nichols
... I think he may need a bigger size.
Darius Nichols
Lulu Fall and Matt DeAngelis fooling around
Darius Nichols
Now that Nick has remembered to sign in, he can now warm up.
Darius Nichols
Nkrumah, Arbender and Marshall relaxing before half hour call.
Darius Nichols
Tenesha Ross going over some songs for the weekend Be-In for Marriage Equality.
Darius Nichols
Tripp outside his dressing room
Darius Nichols
Josh Lamon wants to play Woof so badly!
Darius Nichols
Our music director Dave giving us a FABULOUS pose!!
Darius Nichols
Now that he has his hair done, Paris is about to steam.
Darius Nichols
Who are you looking at, Arbender? I'm getting ready for the second show.
Darius Nichols
The super talented Allison Guinn about to go to places.
Darius Nichols
Places has been called, ladies!
Darius Nichols
Now that we are done with show #2, we can go greet the fans!
Darius Nichols
Night time fans waiting for us!
Darius Nichols
Emmy showing fans some love.
Darius Nichols
The last look back as I head home
Darius Nichols
The blur is Lucy. She's so happy when I come home.
Nichols created the role of Hud in the Diane Paulus-helmed revival of Hair, beginning with the 2007 Delacorte Theatre concerts. Other Broadway credits include South Pacific and 110 in the Shade.
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The ten-week Broadway gig is a summer stop on the current national tour of Hair, which launched in the fall of 2010. Hair began previews July 5 and will play a limited run through Sept. 10. The tour is scheduled to continue across the U.S. following the Broadway return, with stops planned in Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Toronto.
The cast includes Steel Burkhardt as Berger, Paris Remillard as Claude, Matt DeAngelis as Woof, Kaitlin Kiyan as Crissy, Darius Nichols as Hud, Kacie Sheik as Jeanie, London cast member Phyre Hawkins as Dionne and Central Park cast member Caren Lyn Tackett as Sheila. The cast also includes: Shaleah Adkisson, Emily Afton, Nicholas Belton, Larkin Bogan, Corey Bradley, Marshal Kennedy Carolan, Laura Dreyfuss, Mike Evariste, Lulu Fall, Tripp Fountain, Nkrumah Gatling, Allison Guinn, Sara King, Josh Lamon, John Moauro, Christine Nolan, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Arbender Robinson, Cailan Rose, Tanesha Ross, Jen Sese and Lee Zarrett.
Hair has book and lyrics by the late Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. The Hair creative team includes set designer Scott Pask, costume designer Michael McDonald, lighting designer Kevin Adams and sound designer Acme Sound Partners.
Hair is presented by The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director), Joey Parnes, Nederlander Productions Inc., Carl Moellenberg/Wenlarbar Productions, Rebecca Gold/Myla Lerner, Rick Costello, Joy Newman & David Schumeister, Paul G. Rice/Paul Bartz, Debbie Bisno, Christopher Hart Productions, John Pinckard, Terry Schnuck, and by special arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann.
For tickets, priced $37-$120, visit Telecharge, or phone (212) 239-6200. The St. James Theatre is located at 246 West 44th Street.
