Who else was supposed to play hedwig?

[Alex M]

Posted: 10/17/16 at 11:52pm

I know that the show had plans for other actors and actresses to play Hedwig while it was on Broadway. Does anyone know who these were?

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 10/17/16 at 11:57pm

Alan Cumming

[BrightLights3]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 12:00am

If you mean who was approached throughout the run (not specifically who they'd have wanted to go on after Taye) - Adam Lambert said they offered but he declined. 

Updated On: 10/18/16 at 12:00 AM

[VotePeron]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 12:13am

There were lots of rumors swirling around the theatre near/during closing by Hedheads who claimed to have inside knowledge. The most common one was an idea that NPH was going to come back and play the role during the 2015 holidays, and then JCM would come back and close the show in early 2016.

But wasn't Miley Cyrus also offered the role, or in talks, at some point? I imagine they offered it to a bunch of celebrities. I'm glad Adam declined, I don't care for him personally. 

Lena has said recently that there was a discussion of her returning to Bway as Hedwig with Stephen Trask as Yitzhak. This was also a big fan theory back in the summer of '15.

So, there was definitely a lot of "could've been." It's a shame the show concluded as suddenly as it did. Taye was great in theory, and I personally really enjoyed him in the role (even having seen all Bway Hedwigs). The bad word of mouth he caused + sales really ran it into the ground. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 12:41am

I wish we could get a Lena in NYC or near it. I'd love to see her and hear her vocals. Her voice. Damn. I think Lambert might have been pretty good, actually. I mean, we know he can sing it. But he started as a performer, so I think he could act it. I don't why he'd turn it down? It's not like he's at a place in his career to really originate a role? 

[theoriginoflove]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 1:24am

I think Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake were in talks of playing Hedwig. Lady Gaga would have been a phenomenal Hedwig. 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 2:19am

Tilda Swinton. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 7:42am

RippedMan said: "I wish we could get a Lena in NYC or near it. I'd love to see her and hear her vocals. Her voice. Damn. I think Lambert might have been pretty good, actually. I mean, we know he can sing it. But he started as a performer, so I think he could act it. I don't why he'd turn it down? It's not like he's at a place in his career to really originate a role? "

I agree. I've been dreaming of travelling to SF or LA to see Lena perform but it won't be the same as seeing it on Broadway. I was lucky enough to see all 6 Hedwigs on Broadway due to the rush lottery. 

 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 7:59am

RippedMan said: "I wish we could get a Lena in NYC or near it. I'd love to see her and hear her vocals. Her voice. Damn. I think Lambert might have been pretty good, actually. I mean, we know he can sing it. But he started as a performer, so I think he could act it. I don't why he'd turn it down? It's not like he's at a place in his career to really originate a role? 

 

I believe his reasoning was that as a cis actor, he does not feel that it is appropriate for him to play trans roles. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:03am

I'd love to see Tilda Swinton do ANYTHING on stage, but she has said in many interviews that despite starting in the theatre, she actually doesn't enjoy it and wouldn't likely return to the stage.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:11am

TheGingerBreadMan said: "I believe his reasoning was that as a cis actor, he does not feel that it is appropriate for him to play trans roles. "

Err, close. He actually said: "The thing about it is I don't want to get in drag for eight shows a week."

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:20am

I don't remember who said it but didn't Pink come up as a rumor at some stage?

[Valentina3]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:50am

Bill O'Reilly.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 4:41pm

RippedMan said: "I don't why he'd turn it down? It's not like he's at a place in his career to really originate a role? "

isn't it possible he has no interest in performing on broadway?

[BrightLights3]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:01pm

TheGingerBreadMan said: "I believe his reasoning was that as a cis actor, he does not feel that it is appropriate for him to play trans roles. "

He didn't say that about Hedwig. It was in the context of him possibly playing Dr. Frank N. Furter in Fox's RHPS.

Updated On: 10/19/16 at 10:01 PM

[liliane12]

Posted: 10/19/16 at 9:59am

RippedMan said: "I wish we could get a Lena in NYC or near it. I'd love to see her and hear her vocals. Her voice. Damn. I think Lambert might have been pretty good, actually. I mean, we know he can sing it. But he started as a performer, so I think he could act it. I don't why he'd turn it down? It's not like he's at a place in his career to really originate a role? "

Maybe Adam was simply too busy being the frontman for Queen and touring the world with them. And then touring the world on his own as a solo artist and doing promo for his solo album. The guy's working non stop and his schedule is packed all year long. He might not be Adele but I'd say that he is in a place in his career right now where he's definitely qualified to originate a role on Broadway. Talent-wise, it is even more of a no brainer. Not many people could touch him when it comes to live vocals. It is a pity that he turned down both Hedwig and Dr. Frank-N-Furter, he would have been perfect for both.

 

Updated On: 10/19/16 at 09:59 AM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 10/19/16 at 10:08am

BrightLights3 said: "TheGingerBreadMan said: "I believe his reasoning was that as a cis actor, he does not feel that it is appropriate for him to play trans roles. "

He didn't say that about Hedwig. It was in the context of him possibly playing Dr. Frank N. Furter in Fox's RHPS."

And even then, he's still wrong. Laverne Cox notwithstanding, Frank N. Furter is a "sweet transvestite." Not transgender. (And before anyone butts it in: it does not erase transgender people to say this, it does not negate their existence, it does not belittle their cause. It is simply a statement of fact based on the material.)