For the past nine months, students from the Medical, Dental, and Public Health schools have shoved aside their textbooks to rehearse a production of the 1960s love-rock musical HAIR, scheduled to make its debut this weekend.

Does musical theater mix with medicine?

According to P. Kirstin Newby, a second-year doctoral student in the Department of Nutrition at the School of Public Health, absolutely!

"Musical theater is an important creative and artistic supplement to a scientific career," says Newby, who is president and co-producer of the newly launched Medical Area theatrical company called the Longwood Players. "I have been doing musical theater since elementary school, and it has always played an important artistic role in my life," she adds, and is a perfect complement to her "passion for science."

Convinced that others on the Longwood campus would feel the same way about participating in a musical theater production, Newby solicited interest around the campus. The overwhelming response from the Schools of Public Health, Medicine, and Dental Medicine convinced her that it was a project worthy of pursuit.

In September 1998, Newby was joined by Jerome B. Shuman, first-year dental student, in organizing the group. Says Newby, "I would not have pursued the project without Jerry. He has been my partner from the beginning." Shuman is also the director of the show and plays a leading role in the production. Together, the two developed the infrastructure for the Longwood Players (which is officially housed at the School of Public Health) and planned for their inaugural production. The two were later joined by Jennifer S. McCall, first-year medical student, and the three co- founded the group in January 1999. Bryan Sun, a first-year Medical School, student is co-producer of HAIR.

"The Longwood Players was founded with the mission to foster personal and artistic growth and interdisciplinary communication among its participants while simultaneously culturally enriching the greater Longwood community through the artform of musical theater," says the Players' mission statement. "It is a fundamental goal of the group to unite graduate students across disciplines on the Longwood campus, while being open to students and staff across the University."

The company currently involves more than 50 students and staff across the campus and University and is joined by a number of actors from the greater community as well. Says Newby, "It takes a lot of people to put on a musical theater production, and there is a role for everyone, on stage and off."

As they prepare for the April 30 opening, the Longwood Players look forward to a "spectacular" show. According to Newby, "HAIR is a celebration of life, love, and freedom. I know the audience will be entertained and moved by the performance." And as for the nudity? "Well, you'll just have to come and see the show," she adds.

HAIR will be performed Friday, April 30, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 1, at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Massachusetts College of Art Tower Auditorium, 621 Huntington Ave., Boston. Doors open at 7:30, and seating is general admission. Tickets are $10 general and $7 for students and senior citizens and are available from Sanders Theatre Box Office at (617) 496-2222, BosTix at Harvard, or at the door just before showtime.