The man behind the Broadway revival of HAIR has been accused of snubbing the director who first made it a hit.

The hippy-themed production returned to the New York stage last month (Apr09) - 41 years it debuted, directed by Tom O'Horgan.

Hair co-author James Rado is behind the new version, but he has been accused of ignoring O'Horgan, who died in January (09).

New York theatre boss Ellen Stewart says, "O'Horgan has had his name erased from history. There is no mention anymore that Hair was all O'Horgan. He had groundbreaking onstage nudity. He gave us the attitude to do what we please. He instituted modern theatre.

"Every opportunity Rado has had, he has tried to erase everything Tom had to do with Hair. It started with the (1979) film; they didn't let Tom direct it. They are now on Broadway and there is no mention of Tom. It's like this great genius of a man didn't exist. He changed the very look of theatre and gave society a freedom."

But Rado has defended the new production, and insists O'Horgan is credited in the play's programme.

He tells the New York Post, "Tom's original production of Hair was absolutely wonderful. This version of Hair is a new staging, and offers a fresh artistic vision. It is the authors' prerogative and freedom of expression to do this with one's own show."