Is it at unrealistic to guess that maybe there'll be a bigger-name Hedwig who'll perform only in the larger cities like LA? (Legit question; no sarcasm.)
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
my guess is that if the tour is booked for an entire year, they'll have three different Hedwigs throughout the tour. Each Hedwig would do about 4 months each.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
darquegk said: "It could happen- Billy Porter did the Pittsburgh engagement of Kinky Boots."
That's because Pittsburgh is Billy's hometown. On an unrelated note, Cheyenne Jackson mentioned on RuPaul's podcast how Hedwig is one of his dream roles. Perhaps he'll step into the tour while it's on the west coast given that it's where he seems to spend most of his time these days.
The more I think about it and the more time passes without an announcement the more I wonder if they're working on getting quite a few larger names to do a different Hedwig for each city. It would be a shorter commitment for each actor and allow them to take more casting risks.
I really don't think the "new actor per city" would be very good for the show. Every actor I saw took their time to gel in with the band. Even though most of the show is scripted, there's frequent ad-libbing involved which requires a good rapport with the band. Not to mention the chemistry with Yitzhak needs to be very very good.
Cheyenne Jackson is an inspired choice. Would he command the box office, though? I love the idea of one of the singing RuPaul queens taking the role too.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Please, no RuPaul reality show rejects in this show... So some of them can sing in drag... That doesn't make them fit for the needs of the character. Stunt-casting, partially, IMO is what is to blame for the premature closing of this show on Broadway.
I'd like a Hedwig with some miles on her, in the same vein as JCM. Weary, witty and layered, without the schmaltz that Neil Patrick Harris brought to it.
BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Please, no RuPaul reality show rejects in this show... So some of them can sing in drag... That doesn't make them fit for the needs of the character. Stunt-casting, partially, IMO is what is to blame for the premature closing of this show on Broadway.
I'd like a Hedwig with some miles on her, in the same vein as JCM. Weary, witty and layered, without the schmaltz that Neil Patrick Harris brought to it. "
Some queens were actually decent singers. Adore (too young?) /Courtney (too attractive and vain) / Jinx (not a good enough singer, but she IMO can pull off the sass really well.)
Did you see NPH do Hedwig? Because he did a really good job with the weariness, wit, and character's layers. I was in the performance where he snapped out at the audience for calling out "I love you, Neil", and I tell you - he didn't break character for a second. It was clever and exactly what Hedwig would have done in her show.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
You know who I would like to see read for the role? Not necessarily get it, but just- try it out and see how the fit is? Don't laugh. David Duchovny. "Weary, witty and layered" is kind of his thing, he's the actual age of the character and not the paradoxically young incarnation of the recent revivals, and he has experience playing trans characters AND leading a bar band.
David Duchovny won't be my first pick (or any pick for that matter).
How about Adam Lambert? I know I'm fishing, but he has stage experience (Fiyero in Wicked tour?), and is dabbling more with upcoming Rocky Horror live television production. I don't think the timing would work for him to start the production, but he could be an interesting replacement. Dude can sing rock songs as well as emotional ones and is incredibly sarcastic.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Sadly Adam Labert is probably a no go. If I recall correctly, I read somewhere that he was offered the role multiple times during the Broadway run of the show, and always declined.
Valentina3 said: Did you see NPH do Hedwig? Because he did a really good job with the weariness, wit, and character's layers. I was in the performance where he snapped out at the audience for calling out "I love you, Neil", and I tell you - he didn't break character for a second. It was clever and exactly what Hedwig would have done in her show.
I saw every Hedwig during the Broadway run and NPH just didn't do it for me. I felt he was too aware of himself and never got lost in the character. Once you've seen JCM live in the role, most everyone else is ruined... Except for Michael Cerveris, who was equally as stunning (in a whole other way).
Cheyenne is very talented, but I don't see him as ever having been "a slip of a girly boy". Hedwig is pretty open to interpretation to be sure, but it always feels off to me when a super muscular guy is playing the role.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
wonderfulwizard11 said: "Cheyenne is very talented, but I don't see him as ever having been "a slip of a girly boy". Hedwig is pretty open to interpretation to be sure, but it always feels off to me when a super muscular guy is playing the role.
"
I wouldn't consider Jackson to be 'super muscular.'
BenjaminNicholas2, it's really great you mentioned Michael Cerveris, because that's who I was thinking of as I was typing out my previous comment. I doubt Cerveris would even be approached anymore, but from the clips I have seen, I really enjoy his Hedwig. Also, Neil totally did it for me - I think he had the advantage of originating the production. His Hedwig felt like a genuine fresh take.
And to the muscular conversation. Where exactly would you call Michael C Hall and Taye Diggs, if Jackson is too muscular for you?
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Taye, Michael, and Darren all had too many muscles for me, but I don't think it took away from the show. Just give me someone who can act and sing the hell out all the parts.