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Falling for Hedwig
The year was 1998. I hoofed down to The Meatpacking District in my platform penny loafers. I was headed to the Jane Street Theater, my heels clicking the beat on the pavement as I walked. I wasn’t expecting the kind of entertainment I experienced just a month or so before, that elusive night when I heard the most beautiful sounds of my lifetime emerging from one yearly collective known as The Broadway Gospel Choir. Nothing could possibly compare to experiencing those sounds followed by standing within a couple of feet of Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs as performers from my favorite shows made effortless introductions and chatted about the highlight of the evening: the life changing Alice Ripley solo.
Taye and Idina were kind upon introduction to fans and friends of friends alike. I did not approach them. I was already aware that to do so would be a sacrifice in cool. We met when, as an intern, I had to track down last minute tickets for RENT for the President of Idina’s fan club. Until that chore, they were merely voices I listened to from a little apartment in Palatka, as I tried to achieve a degree in musical theater, putting off the academics and relishing in my acting classes. The call of the city was too strong for me to resist and it was nights featuring two unexpected tickets to events like Choir that reminded me how I was in just the right place, at just the right time. I took in every moment as if my plane ticket was non-refundable and my one-way trip home was scheduled for the following day.
I continued my clipped pace down to unfamiliar territory to a new show that was quickly becoming the only one to see. I approached the theatre and I warily made my way into the warehouse of a performing space. I grabbed a beer and a candy bar, looking around I quickly identified them as the refreshment staples of the evening. My friend tried not to give me a spoiler alert so he went giddy with quiet anticipation as we found our seats and the lights went down. I had that funny feeling of flight in my stomach. The same feeling that nearly gave me a heart attack at the start of the unexplainable theatrical feat, De La Guarda. That’s a show that will literally take you to new heights and here’s hoping you don’t wear a skirt that night.
John Cameron Mitchell had my complete attention from Moment One. A slice of energy stuck in a slender frame, head topped with a wig that could light your way home through a darkened alley in Queens. I temporarily lost track of time until he kicked the back door of the stage open to chastise his former lover, Tommy Gnosis, who was not so ironically, performing at a nearby Stadium. I took note of the unflinching power in his voice and felt safe in this world. Hedwig enraptured me and this was the kind of adoration that wouldn’t fade at intermission. (In fact, all of the décor and furnishings in my home are constantly updated and upgraded but the one thing that never changes is my Hedwig poster. There were permanent loyalties formed that night and the poster is a reminder of that solidarity.)
A haunting energy flowed from the character of Yitzhak, Hedwig’s main squeeze, and the sound of his vocals hit me hard. There was something strange about this man, something I couldn’t put even an angry inch of my finger on. He had one of the most incredible voices I’d heard since setting up residence in the big city. The "Rent" shirt he wore under his leather jacket was a nod to solidarity, to art, and to the dreams of the underdog. The songs follow you home and live far beyond the performance. Songs like Wicked Little Town, Midnight Radio, The Origin of Love, and the titular, Angry Inch are songs worth investing in and listening to, again and again.
I was thankful to the art Gods, that night in 1998, for a chance to witness firsthand such a fireball of a show, written by John Cameron Mitchell with music and lyrics by the axe master himself, Stephen Trask. The journey of Hedwig is something everyone has to take for themselves and the only version I can honestly endorse is the original cast, in 1998, at the little theater that once served as a safe haven for the surviving crew of The Titanic. Yes, the Titanic. I also strongly recommend the film, which Mr. Mitchell adapted for the screen. The film features the original cast and an array of talented performers filling in spaces that could not exist in the original concert style setting of the stage production.
A great incarnation of the music of Hedwig is Wig in a Box: Songs from & Inspired by Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Featuring artists like Cyndi Lauper, Yoko Ono, The Polyphonic Spree, and Rufus Wainwright, these artists in their own right cover Hedwig’s songs to benefit the Hetrick-Martin Institute, which is home to Harvey Milk High School, a New York City public school for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight students who have experienced discrimination and/or violence at home or at school and are at risk of not completing their secondary education as a direct result.
Since the chances of anyone unearthing a time machine to take you 1998 anytime soon are sparse indeed, you might feel inclined to embrace a local production at a new venue called The Sinclair, the new arts laden space downtown. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, performed for the first time in Jacksonville, is almost ready for consumer consumption. The pivotal role of Hedwig is being tackled by local theater staple, Josh Waller. Josh is known throughout the city as the darling of local musical theater. Yitzhak, the part brilliantly originated by Miriam Shore is getting another life in the form of Sinclair co owner Maya Adkins. The band will feature another Sinclair co owner, Brennan Hamill and his band mate, Ryan Turk.
I hope this production is equal parts guts and glory. I sincerely hope for the honor of this staggering work penned by a truly dynamic duo that The Sinclair has something ferocious to offer. I hope to be truly proud of the work that graces our local stages. Anyone can put on a show and I do mean anyone. Hedwig is vocally demanding, delightfully deceptive, and occasionally, fully dependent on a seasoned cast. To deliver a show that is solid enough to make the audience believe they are in that safe space, that moment of suspended belief,... now that is a feat worth reaching into your pocket for.
Here’s hoping that The Sinclair and their newly formed production company, Just for You Productions does just that. The advice for any local production might be best related from the lyrics from Wicked Little Town (Reprise), “That, when everything starts breaking down, you take the pieces off the ground, and show this wicked town something beautiful and new.”
The Show Dates are Sept. 25th & 26th, Oct. 2nd, 3rd, 7th, & 10th. All Shows begin at 9:30 PM. The Sinclair is located downtown, in the same spot that once housed the survivors of The Voodoo Lounge. 521 West Forsyth Street. Smoking is permitted. Parking is always bountiful. Beer and Wine, maybe candy bars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedwig_and_the_Angry_Inch_(musical)
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stephendare
September 21, 2009, 03:11:39 PMThis ought to be interesting, April.
Do you think they can pull it off?
The band has to be amazing for this show, because its so rock intensive.
Are there any pictures or myspace links to the actors that we know about?
Any leads on who else is in the cast?
wow Cool Stuff! Obviously Im partial to indie theatre, and I cant wait to see how this turns out.
aprilhutchinson
September 21, 2009, 09:48:45 PMI hope they can pull it off. I really do. I think Hedwig is a particularly ambitious production to attempt but I applaud ambition so long as it also delivers.
The band has to be amazing. The major component of the show that trumps every other component is the music. The musicians are also called on to be almost actors in the context of this show and though they may have no actual speaking roles, the energy of the ensemble needs to shine.
There are no major marketing efforts that I'm aware of. I haven't seen flyers, posters, or even the ever popular event invitation floating around in cyberspace or actual space. I hope there is a solid plan for advertising because many people might give the show a try, so long as they know about it. Also no word on ticket prices yet. I know the venue is partial to rolling dice at the door to determine how much tickets will be, so that could be the plan.
I'm rooting for Hedwig so let's hope loose ends don't keep The Sinclair's potential audience away.
stephendare
September 21, 2009, 10:59:01 PMApril, is the sinclair going to function as an alternative theatre space?
Also what else is happening in the city worth paying attention to?
mtraininjax
September 21, 2009, 11:32:40 PMApril, you rock! So does Randa/Danda! She is, of course, your biggest fan. One day, we will find a cool place for you and the gang to hang out without all the BS that goes on at the current venue.
aprilhutchinson
September 22, 2009, 12:25:11 AMNo BS at current venue.
Thank you for your support but I can only say good things about our personal experience performing at The Sinclair. All artistic relationships are challenging, that's the nature of the beast. We put on three amazingly well received shows. The gang at The Sinclair will do you right, drink or chat, day or night. Edge of Sketch, the comedy that loves you back, will return after a few short messages from our sponsor.
aprilhutchinson
September 24, 2009, 04:06:55 PMUpdate. Fifteen dollars at the door. Just called and that was the response form the other end of the line. Fifteen bucks. I'm more than a little surprised.
Our group performed there and it was explained to us that the dice rolling was the signature stamp of The Sinclair. Additionally, it was mentioned in the write up in FTU by Laura Capitano (August I believe).
We wanted to charge a set price at the door as the dice rolling seemed, for our purposes, ridiculous. We were repeatedly reminded how this dice roll was extremely important to the owners of The Sinclair. It proved difficult to promote a show where no set ticket price could be given. We never ran into that problem with any of our other forty plus shows. Still, we agreed. Apparently, these signature touches of the venue only apply to outsiders, not shows featuring owners. Hm. Interesting.
aprilhutchinson
September 24, 2009, 04:15:24 PMStephen, regarding other events in the city, I am on it. Right now Players by the Sea is performing a fresh take on Pippin. You can find tickets by visiting playersbythesea.org or calling the box office 904.249.0289.
Find more information here:
http://playersbythesea.org/onstage/?p=338
The buzz on this show is quite good. The cast features local favorites, fun and flashy costumes, and and of course, great music. This is the last weekend so if you need to get your musical fix, no time better than the present.
stephendare
September 24, 2009, 04:27:39 PMApril. First time business owners, I guess. Maybe they had a real response to the idea of Hedwig being performed here, and started selling out tickets?
It should be interesting!
Anyone of special note in Pippin that we should pay attention to?
hooplady
September 24, 2009, 04:51:57 PMI love Hedwig! The song about the two halves of each other always makes me cry. Helluva production to take on. Kudos for even attempting it.
stephendare
September 24, 2009, 04:55:09 PMhooplady
September 24, 2009, 04:56:55 PM^^I knew I could trick you into doing the search for me, stephen.
stephendare
September 24, 2009, 04:58:48 PMmy pleasure!
stephendare
September 26, 2009, 06:30:26 PMwell the opening night was last night, I wonder how it went.
stephendare
September 26, 2009, 06:36:14 PMhooplady. Heres my favorite video from the movie
Wicked Little Town. The Tommy Gnosis Version.
Here is the Hedwig version:
stephendare
September 26, 2009, 06:45:56 PMOf course, this is the song everyone knows:
Wig in a Box
stephendare
September 26, 2009, 07:01:21 PMHere is a trailer for a stage production of Hedwig in Minneapolis.
stephendare
September 26, 2009, 07:02:00 PMIts a complete mystery why the Sinclair would have no advance notice or advertising for a show with a 15 dollar ticket price.
aprilhutchinson
September 27, 2009, 01:46:23 PMAgreed. Mystery indeed. I did not attend this weekend. I'll be there next weekend. Where are the posters? Flyers? Anyone seen any indication of Hedwig in Jacksonville? Maybe the show is so exclusive, they don't want anyone to show up. Kidding. I just don't understand. There's elusive that incites interest and there's elusive that's make you say, "huh?"
So...huh?
stephendare
September 29, 2009, 03:08:39 AMWell, according to jaxscene:
The introduction was just as the film portrays and the authenticity doesn’t fizzle out. All of the songs were dead on and Hedwig, played by Josh Waller, was well received. Although the stage room was limited, Waller brought the rest of the bar, as well as its patrons, in on the act. This performance of Hedwig and the Angry Inch was, definitely, a fresh experience and while the similarities are notable, it is the differences that set it apart from the film.
Designer and Stylist: Joy A Smith
Director: Christopher P. Farrell
And the cast…
Hedwig: Josh Waller
Ythzak: Maya Adkins
Jacek: Ryan Turk
Schlatko: John Boote
Krzyzhtof: Brennan Hammil
Skszp: Arron Marshall
aprilhutchinson
September 30, 2009, 03:53:21 PMGreat! I simply can't wait to see what they have done with this show.
DavidWilliams
September 30, 2009, 08:40:12 PMDrag shows aren't my thing...but to each his (er her) own.
aprilhutchinson
October 07, 2009, 10:41:31 PMI understand, but this is a far cry from a drag show. I can see where that comes across, but it is a whole different tale.
stephendare
October 07, 2009, 10:51:36 PMYeah, its totally not really a drag show. This is a real theatre production. Aprils review of the actual show is about to run. Check it out there!