A violent denunciation of the American involvement in the Vietnam War, the play was described by its author as a "folk war movie" comprising scenes of disillusionment and protest to the American military presence in Southeast Asia.

[2] Its premiere also marks the first major theatre production in the United States in which actors left the stage to interact directly with the audience.

[3] The play was initially developed in 1965 and 1966 during collaborative workshops at New York City's The Open Theater under the leadership of Joseph Chaikin and Peter Feldman.

[7][8] One of the leading cast members was Gerome Ragni, who would go on to create the musical Hair with fellow actor James Rado.

In developing Hair, Ragni borrowed the anti-war theme, as well as the experimental technique of improvisational exercises, from the production of Viet Rock.