[yasr_overall_rating]
A transgender punk rock girl from East Berlin tours the U.S. with her band as she tells her life story and follows the former lover/bandmate who stole her songs.
As “Hedwig And The Angry Inch” rocks its way into the Winspear Opera House, it’s easy to understand how this rock musical won Best Revival of a Musical at the 2014 Tony awards and has a near cult following.
The musical opened Off-Broadway in 1998 and won the Obie Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. The production ran for two years and was remounted with various casts by the original creative team in other US cities. In 2000, the musical had a London West End production, and it has been produced throughout the world in hundreds of stage productions. The music is steeped in the androgynous 1970s glam rock style of David Bowie (who co-produced the Los Angeles production of the show), as well as the work of Lennon and early punk performers Lou Reed and Iggy Pop.
“Hedwig And The Angry Inch” is a rock musical about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by a genderqueer East German singer, Hedwig Robinson. The book is by John Cameron Mitchell, and the music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask. Hedwig tells his/her story of growing up on the wrong side of the Berlin wall, a botched sex change that let her enter the United States as a US Military wife, her divorce, life as a performer, and a constant search for love and acceptance.
The theater is transformed from a glorious opera house into a rock concert venue complete with strobe lights, towering speakers, elaborate light displays, and of course – dynamic rock power music. The head-banging, heart-pounding pieces are perfectly balanced with poignant tender ballads that help tell the tragic and often sarcastically funny story of Hedwig.
With the exception of Hedwig (Euan Morton) and Yitzhak (Hannah Corneau), the rest of the cast is there as Hedwig’s band. From beginning to end, the band IS the “orchestra” exactly as it would be in a rock concert. Morton perfectly mixes script with breaking the 4th wall and including the audience with stellar improve skills. His energy knows no limits as he rockets through an almost 2-hour performance with no intermission. His performance brought me to my feet to sing along and tore my heart out with Hedwig’s story.
This is the third time “Hedwig And The Angry Inch” has been performed professionally in Dallas. Costumes from previous productions were on display in the lobby of the Winspear, but nothing prepared me for the lavish, garish and completely unique display of costuming and wigs that explode on stage.
In 2001, “Hedwig And The Angry Inch” was made into a movie that now has near cult following similar to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Judging by the reactions of a lot of theatergoers around me, many arrived not knowing what to expect; however, it was fun to be there with Hedwig fans who came dressed in their best drag queen and king outfits to enjoy the live show and be a part of the magic.
If I had a more lucrative bank account, I would return to see this show as often as my schedule would allow. The story moved my heart, the music moved my soul, and the rock concert experience that is “Hedwig And The Angry Inch,” has changed the way I look at love and acceptance of others.
“Hedwig And The Angry Inch” recently played at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas
This sounds like quite an experience!
Sounds like an interesting show to go to! Had never heard of it (Rocky Horror Picture Show, was from my generation!).
Enjoyed the write up & hope to read more if your great reviews!
Keep up the good work!
Wow! Reading this, I feel like I was there! I must see it!
Love that you’re reviewing stuff at the “big houses”. I always enjoy reading your thoughts.
Thank you for covering this! Review is descriptive and now I have to go see it!