Official JCM as Hedwig (2015 Edition) Thread- Page 7

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/27/15 at 11:42pm

Yes, I agree. There was one moment in particular--when Hedwig was talking about writing "Wicked Little Town" for Tommy--that I actually became confused and caught myself believing that the song was written by the creature onstage.

Then i remembered that the songs were written by Stephen Trask--something I've know since I saw the original production 17 years ago--and that the creature onstage was a character, created by Stephen Trask and John Cameron Mitchell, writer and actor.

But Trask's music and lyrics and Mitchell's words had melded with Mitchell's performance and, in the moment and in many others over the course of the 90 minutes--I couldn't' tell them apart.

[pdjennings]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 10:49am

Is he not signing, period, or was it just that one night (or perhaps just not between the two night shows)?

[rjm516]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 11:30am

UGHHH this sounds so unbelievable! I wish I could get to NYC sooner. I was just there for MCH's last weekend but I can't be back until mid-May and I doubt JCM can extend that long (I live in UK now dammit!). I love reading all these reviews though! And I love reading about the new Yitzhak/Hedwig dynamic. It makes so much more sense.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 12:45pm

Hey PJ! I was there last night too. It was just wonderful beyond belief.

For as loud and crazy of a character as Hedwig is, JCM understands that the trick is not to push and overact the part. Just be and the humor becomes funnier and the melancholy cuts deeper. This ties into his East German roots, and by far JCM convinces that he grew up in East Berlin, whereas his predecessors felt like they were play acting (or worse).

Both Andrew Rannells and Micheal C. Hall basically stuck to the script and bits that NPH used. That was not the case last night; several things were dropped and replaced with new gags and jokes. The best was a crack about James Franco: Oh Franco. All of the privileges of homosexuality and none of the responsibility. It's a good laugh, but there are several layers to the joke and you can really feel Hedwig's sting, resentment and hurt wrapped up in there too.

Like others in this thread I never say the original run, but I did listen to the cast recording and movie soundtrack frequently over the years. Finally getting to hear JCM perform these songs live made me feel like Sarah hearing Coalhouse play the piano again in "New Music." During "Origins of Love" my heart was saying, "You and your music, singing deep in me, making nice to me, saying something so new, changing everything, meaning everything, calling my heart to you!"

I've enjoyed each Hedwig more as the run as progressed, but JCM is in a class all alone. It would be crazy to miss his performance.

[macnyc]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 12:51pm

Welcome back, Whizzer! Glad you are weighing in. Your comments are very insightful, as always!

The only quibble I have is that JCM delivered some of the jokes as asides, and I didn't catch what he said. I was sitting on the far side, so that may have contributed. Plus, other people were laughing, so maybe it was just me. But it was such a thrill to see him.
Updated On: 1/28/15 at 12:51 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 2:09pm

Going again tonight, can't wait!

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 4:48pm

I already have tickets to see him again on February 7 but I'm finding it difficult to wait. I may cave and go before then, I'm dying to see a 10 pm performance with him...I saw NPH at a 10 pm Saturday show but I get the feeling this would be even more fun.

[SDV]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 4:59pm

I was there for the 10pm this past Saturday and the crowd was much more subdued than I expected. I thought his first late Saturday show, last show of his first week - they'll be crazy! They were definitely into it, but no standing O on his entrance, nor anywhere til the end. I thought the theater would be full of crazy fans but no. Hope that will change. Beyond JCM's first night, I think its just luck when you get a crowd who really loves and appreciates what they're seeing as it happens.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 5:08pm

Thanks mac!

It's true that you never know what type of crowd you're going to get. Last night was pretty great. It was the first time I heard applause after Hedwig saying he couldn't get into the Jane St Hotel. JCM quickly said, thank you! A New York audience!

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 6:11pm

I wish this were a sold out, hot ticket, because knowing I can go whenever is very mentally taxing...

[South Florida]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 6:55pm

It's crazy Hate.

[KC91WFU]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 9:22pm

A comment regarding Whizzer's post above and the statement that Andrew Rannells and Michael C Hall stuck to the script more than JCM. Do you think that is because JCM has the rights and can basically alter anything he wants? I have an acquaintance who was in another broadway show, and he said he could get in trouble for going off book, as in possibly get fired. He isn't a big star though. I saw Andrew Rannells several times, and he had several different jokes that varied in the different performances, although I totally agree that he was off book much, much less than JCM. In the performance that I saw, JCM completely skipped the whole ghost in the box thing.

[SDV]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 9:49pm

Yes, the ghost in the box thing is completely gone now, replaced by the Grindr/Jdate thing.

And I'm sure you're right that the prior Hedwigs had little freedom to adlib (although it seems NPH was afforded some leeway in the rehearsal process - the "church" joke was his, for example). As the book writer JCM must have vastly more freedom to adjust as evidenced by all the new Hedwig/Yitzak stuff we've noticed since he came back.

Updated On: 1/28/15 at 09:49 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 10:33pm

This reminds me of an argument Ben Affleck and Kevin Smith had on one of Smith's films. Ben kept ad-libbing, and Kevin told him to stick to the script. Then, in the middle of a later take, Smith ad-libbed, and Affleck was like, "Oh, so when you want to ad lib, you can?!" And Smith said, "I wrote this... when you ad lib, you're saying the wrong lines; when I ad lib, it's a rewrite."

Updated On: 1/28/15 at 10:33 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 10:35pm

While actors in Broadway shows are generally encouraged not to ad-lib, I doubt there's any kind of rule in place for this show, JCM or not. In their notes in the Hedwig script, JCM and Stephen Trask support local productions changing aspects of the piece to better suit their own productions, so it's not like the two of them are insanely precious with the material. If JCM has been adding more material than his predecessors, I imagine it's because he's been doing this character over such a long period of time that it's fairly easy to come up with great material on the fly.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 10:38pm

I am highly considering seeing this and If/Then on a day trip by myself. I just don't know if I want to spend a day in the city alone.

#firstworldproblems

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 10:41pm

If a solo trip is the only way you get to see JCM in this, by all means, do it! You have 6.5 weeks to see one of the most special things you will ever see on Broadway.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 10:49pm

Just got home from the show. Packed house and the crowd was just as into it as the invited dress was! yay
More ad-libs than I ever saw. I think because of the crowd John was in a good mood and he was quite at home with the asides.

I'm so glad I went even though I just fell on my face outside and I'm in pain and I have to clean up the bruises, lol. It was worth it.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 10:52pm

Whizzer--my favorite of JCM's ad libs was the Michael C. Hall reference when he rubbed his face on the stage floor.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 11:27pm

The gorgeous Belasco

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 11:29pm

The show was fabulous tonight. Jane, did you witness that extremely obnoxious couple getting escorted out in the middle of the show? People really have forgotten their manners.

Anyway, John was as glorious as ever and I can't wait to return again and again. HEDWIG IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 11:31pm

Yes, totally. I was sitting two rows right behind them. I didn't know what the problem was. Do you?

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 11:35pm

I was one row behind. They were drunk and wouldn't stop talking. They really ruined the night for the poor guy who finally went and got an usher. He told me it was all he thought about the rest of the show and it's his and his girlfriend's last night in New York. A real shame.

[Tking0012]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 11:46pm

How likely do we think it is that JCM extends?
I can't see them closing in March

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/28/15 at 11:48pm

So that meant I was sitting right behind you!
I love how efficient the house staff is. I know the house manager and she runs a tight ship.