Adam Lambert turned down Hedwig — Page 2

"AS to JCM, as good as he is in the persona of Hedwig, his vocals are a relative weaknesss, and for all the talk of Darren Criss having this musician/band/mic experience background, his vocals lack both power and grititiness if the goal was to have a "non Broadway" voice. The question for Adam would be how good of an actor he is capable of for going for Hedwig's persona, not whether he would "over sing" his vocals. That would seem to be the least of the problems of Adam in the role."

JCM's actually being Hedwig is why the songs work in his voice. When he sings as Hedwig the songs are just an extension of him speaking as Hedwig. Darren's voice has all the power needed, and that power is coupled with emotion which is perfectly suited to the character and show. His experience in bands and as a musician comes into play more with the act of being a frontwoman. His Hedwig is more comfortable/natural on stage In that capacity and he feels the music more than most of the others. You can actually see the music moving through him and coming out as raw emotion.

I haven't seen enought of Adam as an actor to speak to what he can or can't do. My knee jerk reaction was, no, he's not up to it as actor, but I realize that's not quite fair because I've only seen him in a couple Glee scenes reciting material that wasn't much to work with. But I'd think if he was up to it as an actor he'd jump to do it, even just for a few weeks, because if his acting could match what he'd bring to it vocally, he'd be opening himself up to only amazing things.

It's not autobiographical in terms of him being Hedwig. His upbringing is actually what inspired Tommy and the woman who inspired Hedwig worked for his family as a babysitter. He is Hedwig in the sense that he created her and becomes her in a way that no one else will ever be able to because of it.

^ no, actually it was some "living" it, too!

I thought Criss already "killed" Hedwig?

"it's not unique or special just to JCM"

nope, it isn't. It applies to others who have also lived and created a story around their life and brought it to the stage. NO one can feel it as he does. There have been great Hedwigs but they weren't "there."

Wait, so is JCM actually Hedwig (i.e., is this show autobiographical?

There penectomy didn't happen exactly as it does in the show but JCM is very sensitive about talking about it.

Are you a student or a grown-up? You're coming off weirdly combative for someone who has demonstrated his or her knowledge of theatre is...unsophisticated.

I've also gotten the idea from some of Adam's interviews that he isn't terribly interested in returning to theater. It was just something he did to pay the bills. I don't think he liked the hard work schedule of eight shows a week and being stuck in a routine for months. He vastly prefers touring and performing. His acting in OK but nothing special - he was good in Glee but his character wasn't very far off his own persona so it wasn't exactly a stretch.Personally I doubt he will ever be in a Broadway show for any length of time, it's just not something he really likes doing. As long as he can make a living being a solo performing artist, he'll do that.

Updated On: 6/13/15 at 06:32 AM

I've always wanted to have a stab at performing "At Liberty"...

Jane-I'd agree about JCM in the role...except for the fact that I saw Michael Cerveris years ago...and he remains my very favorite Hedwig. It was unpredictable, touching, beautiful and just amazing. I do love JCM in the part...but there was something about Cerveris that was a little more incendiary. (JCM would be my second favorite I've seen in the part-both downtown and uptown-he's the only one I've been able to see in both locations.)

Being closer is one thing, being a more effective interpreter is another. I think writers often aren't necessarily the best interpreters of their own work. That said, JCM would be my second favorite. I actually liked him better on Broadway than downtown. He balanced the hurt with the anger better. Michael got that from the start-I felt something for his Hedwig. You seem to think your opinion is a FACT-it's NOT. There are people who will tell you they prefer someone else.

It seems pretty obvious that one day he will be on Broadway, but he continues to want to focus on his recording career. And he has a label paying for him to make records, so I'd say he's doing just fine.

And he's a wonderful stage actor. I knew him long before the fame and he is a creature of the stage, a big presence. So, one day.

"Hedwig really could have helped sell his album, and juiced a career that wasn't going anywhere special, "

Does appearing on Broadway really boost someone who has a pop album coming out? I would think the demographics are different, because the flip side is always brought out to point out why "stunt casting" of TV/pop stars doesn't necessarily work for BW.

Meanwhile, per the banners here on BWworld.com He's appearing for a a CD signing next Thursday at 54/3rd.

Having said that, I do think his fans would come out for Hedwig, because the play's format is more of that of a concert.