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Cheryl Barnes | |
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| Born | c. 1951 (age 73–74) Westfield, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress |
Cheryl Barnes (b.c. 1951 inWestfield, New Jersey)[1] is an American singer and actress. She is best known for her role inMiloš Forman's 1979 film adaptation ofHair, where she played the mother of Hud's little son.
Raised inWestfield, New Jersey,[1] Barnes graduated fromWestfield High School.[2] Her first professional experience as a singer came while a student atUnion County College,[2] when she joined therock band Eve's Garden. With that band, she played a number of dates as the opening act for groups such as theClassics IV,The Vagrants (withLeslie West), andTen Wheel Drive.
Barnes performed inLeonard Bernstein'sMass and on Broadway inThe Last Sweet Days of Isaac,[1]Godspell,[2] andJesus Christ Superstar. She portrayed Dina, the handmaiden, inDoug Henning'sThe Magic Show. Along withLaura Branigan, Cheryl sang backing vocals forLeonard Cohen[1] on a European tour in 1976.[3]
Barnes auditioned forHair at an open casting call.[1] She had no agent and was working as achambermaid in a motel inMartha's Vineyard.[1] Barnes' song inHair, "Easy to Be Hard," was captured in one take, and this is the take seen in its entirety in the film.[citation needed] Her later scene in the desert outside the army base was filmed inBarstow, California, where she remained after production.[1] Forman talked her into coming to New York City for a few months, as he did not want to see such talent go to waste, but Barnes soon returned to Barstow, where she worked as a piano teacher.[citation needed] She remained friends with Forman and accompanied him toPrague in 1983, where he was shooting the filmAmadeus.[4]
Barnes sang the song "Love and Passion" (music byGiorgio Moroder and lyrics byPaul Schrader) for the soundtrack of the 1980 filmAmerican Gigolo.
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