"Change does not change tradition, it strengthens it. Change is a challenge and an opportunity, not a threat."

— Prince Philip

MY WIFE AND I, along with a group of friends, attended a matinee performance of the musical, "Hair," a couple Sundays ago at the Willows Theatre in Concord. I think the last time we were in that theater was when the children from Kitakami, Japan — Concord's sister city — performed "The Wizard of Oz" in 2001.

Given that my wife and I seldom shop in the shopping center where the theater is located, we found it a rare treat to spend some time walking around the grounds before the first curtain call. Seemingly little has changed in the last few years, except for the businesses that now operate there. So when you're looking for places to go and things to do, visit the Willows Shopping Center on Diamond Boulevard.

It has some fine eateries, as well as interesting shops, and you can end your day by attending a show at the Willows Theatre — you won't find a bad seat in the house.

As we entered the theater, I noticed that we were surrounded by a sea of gray-haired patrons, which didn't surprise me in the least since I assumed a majority of them — like myself — were of the generation of "Hair."

That particular show caused quite a furor when it premiered in New York City more than 40 years ago. Several states banned

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it because of its theme and content, which included nudity and a lot of profanity. I vaguely recall seeing it advertised locally sometime later but had no inkling what the play was about until now.

"Hair" was billed as "The American Tribal Rock Musical" and opened on Broadway in 1967. The musical focuses on a group of hippies living in New York City in the '60s during the time of the Vietnam War. Rebellious against the establishment — "Never trust anyone over 30" — and opposed to our nation's involvement in that war, the characters in the play express their antipathy by desecrating the American flag, burning draft cards, speaking out against the church, creating a sexual revolution and indulging in drugs.

Renowned pediatrician and author, Dr. Benjamin Spock, who advocated the practice of sparing the rod in rearing children and was critical of the Vietnam War, ostensibly had a tremendous influence on the young people of that time. As one writer described them, they were an assemblage of mostly postwar "spoiled brats."

Personally, I've never known what it's like to be a nonconformist. Born during the Depression, I was brought up by hardworking immigrant parents and taught to live by the law. As far back as I can remember, such words as "reverence," "respect," "shame" and "determination" were a part of my everyday vocabulary, thanks to my mother who tutored me in her native tongue.

We endured many lean years — what families didn't? — but with my folks' help and encouragement, I was able to complete college. I later served two years in the Army, and though I oppose war, my military experience overseas helped me to realize how well-off we are in this country, even in the worst of times.

As a caseworker in the Department of Corrections, I frequently saw the sordid side of life. I interacted with social outcasts and spent a lot of time in neighborhoods where a majority of them live and die in anonymity.

It's remarkable how far we've advanced in medicine and science — yet we lag piteously in dealing with our everyday social problems. And although an all-out effort is being made to wipe out drugs, they remain a primary problem in our society.

I'm certain "Hair" conjured up a lot of emotion among the theatergoers, but like it or not, that's the way life was in the 1960s in America.

Eizo Kobayashi is a Concord resident and a member of the Concord Senior Citizens Club. Reach him at columns@bayareanewsgroup.com.