#101
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.)
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.)
