Recently I had the privilege and pleasure to see the revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway starring that extremely talented Tony winner, Neil Patrick Harris. I went into this night knowing truly nothing about the show, only expecting to have an incredibly good time. That expectation was met, but also so much more. I can honestly say this was the best live musical I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s inspired me to watch the movie version of Hedwig, get the entire soundtrack, and I can’t stop humming the songs constantly.
The musical is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It’s just under two hours long and has no intermission. It’s told in the style of an extended monologue/rock concert and it’s interactive with the audience including some improv. Hedwig (Neil Patrick Harris) is a transgender singer from East Germany, but had a failed sex change operation that left her with an ‘angry inch’. The musical picks up at her concert that is adjoining her ex-boyfriend and more successful rocker Tommy Gnosis (also played by NPH). The angry inch also refers to Hedwig’s band consisting of European immigrants she’s brought over including her Jewish, former cross-dressing husband Yitzhak (Lena Hall). Hedwig’s monologue recounts what’s happened in her life leading up to how she knows her ex, Tommy, and her journey to find her other half in love. Hedwig believes still that her other half is Tommy, yet since he’s betrayed her she follows his musical act around in hopes of either joining up with him once more or destroying him.
What’s so incredible about this production is that it almost solely rides on the talents of Harris. He dances around, sings lead on almost every song, improvises with the audience, and barely takes a breather for almost two hours straight. It’s truly incredible and beyond impressive. This is also not at all to denote the talents of fellow Tony winner, Lena Hall. She plays a man (not one in drag, actually a man), but since the role of Yitzhak has to sing high it must be played by a woman. She’s an extremely convincing male, and I defy anyone to leave this production not having a little bit of a crush on her. She can go from singing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” to singing screamo in no time at all, she’s just that good.
Part of the reason why everyone turned out so well is the duo that originated Hedwig came back to do this revival. Stephen Trask wrote the lyrics and music while John Cameron Mitchell wrote the text and was the first person to play Hedwig in the off-Broadway show in 1998 and the film adaptation in 2001 which he also directed. In an interview with abc news Trask said “I knew all along he’d be perfect” when referring to Harris’ talent while Mitchell just sighs in relief that he doesn’t have to play Hedwig anymore. “There’s nothing more relaxing than watching him do it” he says while laughing, because he understands better than most just how taxing and difficult this role is. Harris even says he lost about twenty pounds for this show to appear more feminine and I’m sure due to the acrobatics and dancing in the show he’s probably lost even more.
The beautiful thing about Hedwig, especially since I went in knowing almost nothing, is the transformation of the characters throughout the production. You start off viewing Hedwig as a gag with her giant wigs, incredible high heels, and hysterical (mainly sexual) jokes. Yet as the plot moves forward I found myself bonding more with her character and empathizing with her to the point where I felt her pain as well as Yitzhak’s. That’s the beauty of good storytelling where it all is fun and games, but before I could even realize it, all I wanted was for these characters to end up happily. If you never thought you could relate to a transgender superstar go watch the film or musical because you’ll truly be proven wrong very quickly.
I honestly recommend all to go see the musical right away, unless you’re epileptic because there are heavy strobe lights at one point, but other than that it’s one of the greatest musicals I’ve ever seen. The talent on stage is so amazing you’ll be laughing and cheering as if this were just a normal rock concert. Do go quickly though because Harris will only be here until August 19th and then Andrew Rannells (Book of Mormon, Girls) will be taking over the role on the 20th. I’m sure he’ll be just as incredible, but it’s honestly hard to beat Harris who moves so naturally and is just so entertaining. So if seeing the musical on Broadway does interest you truly see it as soon as possible. It’s worth every penny.
For a little preview of how amazing everyone was check out the cast’s Tony’s performance. Just a taste of the magic this show will cast over its audiences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY1y-c_cIjI