Anybody prefer a different Hedwig to JCM?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 4:45pm

While all the actors who have played Hedwig have received praise, there seems to be a consensus that nobody has compared to JCM. I'm just curious if anybody liked one of the others more. Thanks.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 4:48pm

No.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 4:59pm

Never.

[CoreyRyan3]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 5:28pm

Seeing JCM in just a few weeks. Can't wait.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 6:27pm

The correct answer is NO.

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 6:33pm

No. Dougie Howser didn't do it for me. Only JCM. Seeing him in March after canceling tickets for this past Tuesday. Can't wait.

HOWEVER, I did get to speak with Andrea Martin years ago...the Summer that the movie was released. I was just a teenager back then but I was asking her about how she got involved in the movie and she said she saw the show with JCM at Jane Street and "didn't get it". Then she saw it with Michael Cerveris in London and was very moved. I thought that was interesting.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 6:34pm

please sucka

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 6:57pm

I think it'd be hard to find anyone that likes another actor over JCM, not that the other actors that have played Hedwig aren't as good as JCM, or that he's the most talented person to ever play the character. But, JCM created Hedwig. And not in the "I was the first person to play this part" way, but he actually created her from his mind, wrote the words that she speaks. I think that lends to a natural ability to just understand the character beyond anyone else's capabilities. When an actor creates a character they have to consciously develop their life story. I think for JCM that's subconsciously there. It makes Hedwig much more organic that way.

I've only seen JCM, but I wish I could have also seen the other men that have played her. Except Darren Criss, I'm avoiding him like the plague.

Updated On: 2/22/15 at 06:57 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 7:23pm

Hedwig is not a well-written character in the way Sweeney Todd is- much of the character is blank space filled by the actor's originality.

I would liken JCM as Hedwig less to an actor playing a role, and more to a performance alter ego. Alice Cooper is not REALLY "Alice Cooper," the disco-despising geriatric teenager battling his literal demons onstage. Martin Short is not "Marty Short," the slimy and effete showbiz fixture. These are both scripted characters that, theoretically, someone else COULD play- but they were born as performance pieces for a specific artist, not as roles workshopped and developed as three-dimensional, viable characters. Hedwig is the same way.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 8:01pm

Having seen every Hedwig except for Andrew and MCH, no one even can know the real character and feel it the way JCM, the creator, can. The one who came closest, very very close, is Michael Cerveris.

[JPeterman]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 8:18pm

I have seen each of the 4 Hedwigs in this current production. JCM is my favorite. Not only does JCM obviously feel extremely comfortable and natural in the role, but I think his secret is that he is just a very funny and witty guy and it comes through in the show. Having said that, my wife preferred NPH as her favorite.

Updated On: 2/22/15 at 08:18 PM

[Glittergrrl]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 8:50pm

Oh my stars!

No! I've seen 6 actors play the character.

No no no!

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 9:00pm

No.


My first runner-up, however, was Matt McGrath.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 9:05pm

Matt was damn good. He saved the show from closing. Brantley loved him too.