'DOGFIGHT' ACTORS GET MARINE CUTS AT HAIR KUTZ STUDIO IN MEDIA

The musical "Dogfight" is about young marines in 1963 who are getting ready to be deployed. To be a marine in this context, an actor must be able to portray a healthy, strapping, and exuberantly youthful guy who has no idea what his future holds. Well, he does know one thing...He'll have to get his hair cut 'high and tight'.

To that end, and to assist the actors and the production directed by Jesse Cline, Jackie Ferrell stepped in. She owns and operates Hair Kutz Studio in Media on State Street, just a few blocks away from The Media Theatre where the show is on stage March 9-27. She also does most of the cutting for her mostly male clientele.

Jackie Ferrell, of Hair Kutz Studio in Media, does a 'high and tight' for actor Kyle Segarra

Jackie Ferrell adores The Media Theatre, and said, "I am honored to be able to help out. The shows are terrific, the actors are so nice, and it makes me feel happy to be partnered with the theatre."

Lead actor Zack Krajnyak has mixed feelings about getting the Marine look but knows the value of doing what's needed for your art...and your girlfriend

So on Monday morning March 7, just two days prior to the show's opening, on a day Jackie would usually have as a day of rest from her busy hair cutting schedule, she pleasantly opened her studio for the seven young actors. One by one, with a smile on her face and the enthusiastic conversation one would expect from a professional hair stylist, she buzzed each actor's hair to give them the 'high and tight' look needed for the production.

Glenn Britton seems fine, don't you think?

Denzel Thomas actually ended up loving having almost no hair. 

And she did it all as a gift for the theatre. It took her just a bit over two hours, and she never tired or stopped to rest. In fact, she said, "I love this! This is what I live for, to do my job, to do it well, and to support the community when I am able."

The seven actors (Glenn Britton, Jake Glassman, Zack Krajnyak, Joe Pudetti, Kyle Segarra, Denzel Thomas, and Michael Wessells) kept her entertained while she clipped and buzzed one 'marine' after the other. With jokes flying right and left, talk of a contest to see who lost the most hair, and a bit of off-color humor befitting a troupe of dudes in their 20's, she was never bored. "They are like a group of guys who would be deployed together," Jackie said. "They've bonded and they'll forever be buddies now because of the show and their experiences together. It's a natural thing and it's what marines do, too."

Jake Glassman with one side down.

An almost finished Joe Pudetti.

Michael Wessels is diggin' it, as they would have said in 1963.

So if you weren't there, you'll never know exactly what transpired because, as the saying goes, 'only the hairdresser knows for sure'.

Seven handsome young men, with their 'high and tight' haircuts, ready for action in DOGFIGHT
From left to right is: C. J. Celeiro, Kyle Segarra, Jake Glassman, Zack Krajnyak, Michael Wessels, Glenn Britton, and Joe Pudetti with Denzel Thomas at center.

You can see the guys in action during the run of "Dogfight: The Musical" at The Media Theatre March 9-27. The show, by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul and a book by Peter Duchan is based on the 1991 film. The story follows the marines as they have a night of partying and play a cruel joke, which causes a young waitress to change one of their lives forever. It is a heartfelt and haunting musical. Call 610-891-0100 for tickets or visit mediatheatre.org. Note: "Dogfight" does have adult language.

Hair Kutz Studio is at 300 West State Street in Media, no appointment necessary but you may call 610-566-4820. Studio hours are Tues and Wednesday 7:30am-3pm, Thursday and Friday 7:30am-6pm, and Saturday 6:30am-3pm. Tell Jackie that the guys from "Dogfight" sent ya!