Who's excited? I'm curious to see what he brings to the role.
That picture is HIDEOUS.
I'm not excited and that's a terrible picture. Why does it creep me out?
He actually looks a lot better in drag makeup than what I was expecting.
Was this a rush job? It feels completely different from the other ones.
It almost looks like they photoshopped makeup on his face....
I think that's what they did.
Updated On: 4/13/15 at 05:29 PM
Pic.not at all sensual-totally 'flat'-just looks like a footy bloke in drag.
Maybe better when mobile.
"He actually looks a lot better in drag makeup than what I was expecting."
Right? In a way, it makes him look older. (Which he needs for the role anyways.)
Hmm, yes, just compared it to NPH, Rannells, and MCH. Darren's is smooth and flat. The other three all have texture. And facial expressions. And a dark background. (The dark background actually makes a pretty big difference in the mood of the shot.)
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
I look forward to reading and hearing all about this launch of Hedwig for a new generation, which is what Darren Criss will do if his run is a success.
All I see in that picture is a young guy with an attitude. Not Hedwig at all.
Aw, baby looks 12. Looking forward to seeing the amazing Rebecca Naomi Jones though!
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/11
It's an odd choice for a publicity photo. It reminds me of a selfie that a frat boy would take on his way to a Halloween party.
He can't act and has no stage presence. As witnessed in his previous outing he was all performance ( and a bad one) and no substance. This will probably be the screaming girls of "How to.." all over again. They don't care about Hedwig. They want to see Darren Chris. Well good for them and I hope they enjoy. To anyone with real theater savy in their blood this is a real waste of money and time. The pic is a good representation of what you will probably get. Just my opinion.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
If the "screaming girls" bring their best guy friends, the ones who don't hit on them like the jocks, and the boys they do theater with at school, THOSE are the people I want to have a chance to see Hedwig. And Darren Criss just might give them the opportunity.
I have no problem with Darren himself being young, but there is only so much you can modifty the actual Hedwig persona per the play. It can't be some sort of glamorous star turn or youthful rock n roll persona.
His background is both tragic/weathebeatten for all the wear and tear Hedwig went through, and that has to come through in the performance. So that isn't somehting that can be tweaked with a line here and there.
However waiting until I see Darren's performance to make a final judgment.
"If the "screaming girls" bring their best guy friends, the ones who don't hit on them like the jocks, and the boys they do theater with at school, THOSE are the people I want to have a chance to see Hedwig. And Darren Criss just might give them the opportunity."
You just want to see the boys they bring.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
No, I have no interest in them at all. That's why I posted that I wanted to read and hear about it, I won't be seeing it myself. (Although I will be seeing JCM once more before he goes.) This won't be a Hedwig for my generation, this will be a Hedwig for a new generation. I want them to have the same "life changing" experience at Hedwig, and if it's Darren Criss's presence that gets them in the theater, great.
I did the same side-by-side comaprison that mariel did and actually, except for the background, the make-up seems nearly identical to Rannells and Michael C. Hall (NPH's photo treatment hasn't been replicated for any of the subsequent Hedwigs). I completely understand the skepticism about him in the role -- though I think it best to judge the performance rather than pass judgment before seeing him do it -- and I agree that this isn't as compelling a facial expression as was used with the prior actors. But as a photograph, other than the background color, the look and whatever post-production has been done is not at all radically different from what we've seen before.
" I want them to have the same "life changing" experience at Hedwig, and if it's Darren Criss's presence that gets them in the theater, great."
I am in total agreement with you.
Darren has a younger, smoother, more tan face, so the probably had to accommodate for it on this set of images. I find it very striking in it's flatness, it more mysterious than the angry sexiness of the previous images.
As to his casting, I'm not sure why everyone seems to think they know better than JCM and the creative team, who chose him and are investing time and energy into transforming him into Hedwig. I'm curious and confused about it, but knowing they have faith in Darren excites me about what turn they'll take with him.
Except i am afraid that any message or meaning of the show will be lost with Criss in the role. Nothing will be learned because nothing meaningful will be conveyed
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