By WILLIAM HEATLEY
Contributing Writer
Not many teachers can say that they stood nude on stage, hand-in-hand with 20 other human beings. However, for visiting professor Margaret McLellan-Zabielski, the experience was life changing. The Organic Chemistry instructor, who has been involved in community theatre for years, just finished a run of Gerome Ragni and James Rado’s famous musical that, according to her, has as much importance today as it did in the 1960s.
“Some people claim that the show is very dated and doesn’t have context in 2016 because mandatory conscription isn’t a controversial issue, but I disagree. Many of the themes in the show have relevance in today’s society. Some young people still don’t know what to do with their lives. Social issues such as racism and homophobia that were present in the ‘60s and ‘70s are still subjects of discussion for today. You see that in the presidential debates and the mainstream media,” she said.
One of the biggest influences on McLellan-Zabielski’s interest in the subject matter was her parents and their involvement in the counterculture of the period. Her father, Brian, was also in a production of “Hair” in college in the 1970s. When he learned that his daughter was going to be in the same show that he was, he was naturally excited.
“It brought tears to my eyes to see her in this,” he said following a performance. “She and 20 other talented people helped rekindle the memories of the Hippie movement. It was simply amazing.”
The positive feedback from her parents helped boost her confidence.
“My parents used to sing “Aquarius” all the time. I grew up in a hippie household, so I have a bit of background that I brought with me to the show,” McLellan-Zabielski said.
Schenectady Light Opera Company’s production of “Hair” was an eye-opening experience for her, as she had never been as connected to any cast of any show prior to this one.
“It really is a beautiful thing that 21 individuals from all different walks of life and opinions can be kind, gentle, and accepting of each other. The story becomes real, the emotions are real, especially the feeling of love,” she said.
The closing performance of the show was especially emotional, with everybody crying during the powerful scenes.
“At that moment, I think we weren’t actors following a script, just people who felt a raw connection to this thing that changed their lives,” McLellan-Zabielski said.
Longtime friend and fellow castmate Chris Kowalski shared the same sentiments of togetherness.
“Maggie brought our show an infusion of reality, from both information from her family members’ lives and the raw emotions of her own,” he said.
This is Kowalski’s second show with McLellan-Zabielski, and he believes that every time she sets foot on stage, there’s an aura of good vibrations surrounding her that put everyone at ease. “In addition to being a great friend and Tribe member… she is always dedicated to moving forward and improving things, making them safer and flow better. Her experience with all aspects of theatre always make working with her a joy,” Kowalski said.
For McLellan-Zabielski, doing this show was a dream come true.
“Of all the shows that I have done throughout my life, this one ranks up there as one of the best. The effort and energy everyone put into it made it so much better,” she said.
One of the biggest struggles for her wasn’t learning lines or music. Rather, it was preventing herself from singing them and doing the supplemental choreography while teaching.
“Can you blame me? I mean, the songs are just so catchy. Once they’re in my head, it’s virtually impossible to get them out! Even after the show has ended, I find myself still singing them from time to time. It just never ends,” McLellan-Zabielski said.
The involvement with this production left a huge emotional impact that she believes will stick with her and her fellow castmates for the rest of their lives.
“I have a feeling that 10, 20, 30 years from now we’ll still be talking about that crazy time we all did “Hair” together. I wouldn’t want a better Tribe to live in the “Age of Aquarius” with. It will make a great story.”
