Andrew Rannells Joins Hedwig and the Angry Inch TONIGHT!- Page 5

[DC.ETC.]

Posted: 8/24/14 at 9:42pm

I was lucky enough to see Andrew in yesterday's matinee. Wasn't able to make it to New York to see NPH, but by the time the curtain closed on Andrew, I wouldn't have wanted to have seen anyone else. He was absolutely moving.

I can understand the logic behind the 7 and 10 Saturday shows, because I got the sense the matinee audience really had to be won over, or coaxed. There were some laughs the first 10 or 15 minutes, but they were hard won. Once "Origin of Love" hit, the theatre was totally with Hedwig. I wish they were with him sooner, because Andrew charmed the hell out of me immediately.

I won't speak to each individual number, having no NPH performance as a frame of reference, but I found Andrew's Hedwig to be equal parts cutesy, coy, and quite dark. If that makes sense at all. (I was in the front row of the balcony with a bar in my face. :-/ ) I've seen Hedwigs lead with more rage than hurt, but his hurt came beautifully through. Once he loosened up (along with the audience) his improv was outstanding. I think it need not be said all of his numbers were outstanding as well, and Jesus, the way that man can make a Moment. There were times the audience was so still I thought time had frozen.

By "Midnight Radio" the whole show felt like a victory, and I was crying like an insane person.

I suppose Andrew Rannells doesn't have the level of celebrity NPH does, and I'm sure NPH was incredible, but I'll say this: The audience, many of whom seemed somewhat comatose at 2:00, had fallen in hard love with Hedwig (and Andrew) by close. That's the Gift, and exactly why I hauled myself on a slightly obscene, crowded Megabus from Washington D.C. to Times Square.

(And yes, the bar on the first row of the balcony is slightly unpleasant. It did bother me.)

[VotePeron]

Posted: 8/24/14 at 11:38pm

Saw the show tonight from the 4th row Balcony. I freaking loved it. Having done SRO for NPH, I think each have their pros and cons, but Andrew Rannels was a true chameleon. His jokes do seem a little forced, and there are not as many as NPH, but his singing and acting is through the roof. Beautiful. I will definitely go back.

A word on the balcony - I didn't think it would be that bad in a small theatre like the Belasco, but damn is it high, and I was looking straight down. But, it was only $49 and a great overall view of the show!

[WickedLittleRentHead]

Posted: 8/25/14 at 4:45pm

I definitely want to see Andrew and his take on Hedwig. I am going to try my hardest to get up there before October 16th.

[macnyc]

Posted: 8/25/14 at 5:00pm

DC, I really enjoyed your post! Very descriptive and funny. I was also very moved by Rannells Friday night. At the end, when he sings in Midnight Radio, Here's to Patti/And Tina/And Yoko/Aretha
And Nona/And Nico/And me.... When he got to "and me," he conveyed so many different emotions, the audience burst out in applause. We were so with him. I hope to see him again before he finished up. Or maybe he'll extend. Who knows?


Updated On: 8/25/14 at 05:00 PM

[leezy8242]

Posted: 8/25/14 at 6:36pm

I'm going this weekend- it was a surprise birthday present. I am really so excited to see Andrew's interpretation! Does anyone know if he stage doors after a 7 pm Saturday night show?

[DC.ETC.]

Posted: 8/25/14 at 7:19pm

Thanks, macnyc! I totally agree with you on the ".... and ME" line when I saw it. Brilliant delivery of it, so full of joy and healing. Would have loved to see the audience break out in applause.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 12:10am

I think his last day is Oct 12th so try to get tix before then. I agree with you that it wasn't the NPH show. i just felt that every single time I saw NPH performed Hedwig, a lot of the box seat jokes were very different given each person gave different answers and each time NPH/Hedwig was so funny (saw the show a few times.)

I'd like to hear your impression of the show after you see it since I preferred NPH's version as Hedwig moreso than Rannells (though Rannells's as Tommy Gnosis was amazing.) After seeing Rannells perform, one appreciates why NPH lost so much weight for the role. Anyway, I definitely think Rannells will become better with each performance. Looking back, perhaps I should have waited to see Rannells after 2-3 weeks (I saw NPH three of his last 4 performances and saw Rannells on his 3rd performance --- so I saw Hedwig 4 times in a week!)

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 12:50am

"After seeing Rannells perform, one appreciates why NPH lost so much weight for the role."

What do you mean?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 12:55am

I think they're saying Rannells is fat. He probably weighs around 160 pounds so in modern gay terms, he's morbidly obese.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 1:04am

Is that really what Wick3 meant?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 1:09am

Maybe. Probably. But I guess we'll never know.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 1:12am

NPH looked gaunt and drawn[in pictures]-aerobic workouts do that to the body.
I would if I could but I cant [see Andrew Rannells] but it is just wonderful that he is getting such positive responses from those who post here-very jealous as I just think he is sex on legs.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 8:12am

No I don't think Rannells is fat. In fact, I think he's very muscular and fit! As far as NPH losing weight, I think he chose to do that to have a body type similar to JCM and to also be able to do a lot of the aerobics/moves during the show. NPH was very agile during the show, moreso than Rannells, and I think losing weight helped him do more of those type of moves.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 12:02pm

You *love* that word "moreso"!

'I think he chose to do that to have a body type similar to JCM.."

What leads you to think that? Did he say something to that effect at any point? I just assumed it was all the hard work of rehearsal and performance that did it.

[jetcap]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 12:12pm

Can anyone advise if there are two seperate lotteries for Saturday shows, evening and late? Does one attract more people than the other? Tks.

[WickedLittleRentHead]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 12:13pm

NPH has stated that he purposely lost weight for the role of Hedwig. I also read an interview with Andrew where he stated he will not be losing weight purposely and will eat what he wants because he is going to be burning it off during performances.

I think maybe that is what Wick3 meant.

[WickedLittleRentHead]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 12:16pm

Yes, there are two separate lotteries. Each takes place 2 1/2 hours before the show starts.

I haven't been to the lottery for an Andrew show bit when I went two times during NPH's run they were equally as crowded.

[MidnightRadio]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 12:07am

Anyone know if they've been selling SRO? I only know they did for Andrew's first night.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 12:08am

Lots of empty seats in the Balcony on Sunday night, so probably not that much.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 7:41am

Yup that's what I meant. To each his own.

I went to the first 3 lotteries for Andrew Rannells and the first night was really packed. The second night was packed too. On Friday when I went, it was lesser people at around 100-150 (I'm guessing a lot of New Yorkers were going away for the weekend?) and that's when I won the lottery to see the show.
For NPH, there were roughly 300-500 at each lottery after he won the Tony (closer to 500 on Wed/Thu performances)

[WickedLittleRentHead]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 2:55pm

http://www.showbiz411.com/2014/08/27/broadway-neil-patrick-harris-exits-hedwig-and-box-office-plummets

I hope they start getting more sales soon or bring in another big name after Andrew!

Updated On: 8/27/14 at 02:55 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 3:30pm

"The stars come in and open for Tony season and leave as soon as it’s over. Only real Broadway people stick around whether or not they win awards."

Preach!

It's only been ten days. They should give him a little bit more time before they right dramatic articles with lines like "A look at the graph on Playbill’s site is comparable to a stock sell off or a heart patient suddenly losing his vital signs."

Jesus.

Updated On: 8/27/14 at 03:30 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 3:33pm

How long has Hunter Foster been blogging?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 3:48pm

^^^^^^^^

Made me snort my iced-tea all over my keyboard.

[MidnightRadio]

Posted: 8/28/14 at 1:14am

Went down myself today. Less than 100 for lotto I'd say. I waited for standing room but the box office guy, who was a sweetie, was honest and said realistically they won't sell SRO for a while. Their rule is no SRO until every seat is sold, even if there's 2 or 3 singles left. I understand they want to make a profit and get as many full price tickets as they can before selling cheap SRO but wouldn't selling 15 SRO spots be better than leaving 3 empty full price seats? I don't understand it, but oh well I folded and bought a balcony seat for tomorrow.