Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:06pm

We have a Hedwig--opening up in front of his hometown, no less.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Darren-Criss-Will-Lead-HEDWIG-AND-THE-ANGRY-INCH-National-Tour-Launches-from-San-Francisco-This-Fall-20160509

No shock with the casting. I'm more interested in the Yitzak casting now.

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:07pm

Was so excited to finally see the show, but now will probably skip it based on what I've heard about his performance.

[Eliza2]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:08pm

Important to note it only says he will be Hedwig for the San Francisco and LA dates.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:08pm

Don't skip it, Les. Darren is no NPH or JCM, but he was quite good.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:08pm

Darren was phenomenal and most people I talked to loved his performance - and I went in expecting to hate it.

And it is nice to have an announcement, but those aren't the areas that are going to have trouble selling. They'd need to announce the ones for the East Coast.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:11pm

I was so ready to hate Darren's performance, and I ended up loving it. I had the very opposite experience with Taye Diggs in the role.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:13pm

Knowing nothing other than he was that guy from Glee, I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed his Hedwig

[Eliza2]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:15pm

I really enjoyed his performance too, although he was the only Hedwig I've seen so I didn't have a frame of reference for comparison.

I wish he was staying with the tour for my city but oh well.

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:16pm

In the performance I saw, he was very weak and pitchy with the ballads.   Great with the hard rock and his Tommy was pretty close to the best (no-one beats JCM).  I won't be seeing him this time around, but great casting for San Fran and LA.  He'll draw the crowds out no problem - and have a TON of fun with his San Fran patrons I'm sure!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:17pm

What a massive disappointment. 

 

[mariel9]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:20pm

I went in expecting him to be OK and absolutely loathed him. He played Hedwig like she was a cheerleader on speed. I was expecting this but am still very disappointed.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:21pm

Wait the Tits are going to be there too? So the West Coast gets Tits and Darren?

I'm disappointed I don't have the days off to go.

[karen24]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:33pm

I saw him twice in NY - once at the beginning of his run and once at the end. I thought he improved a lot from that early performance to the later one - he was more confident, better at the ad-libbing and sounded great to me. I agree with A Canadian that his Tommy was really good.

I know there are definitely divided opinions but I did enjoy his performance.

I too am very curious as to who will play Yitzak.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:34pm

I was hoping the Jake Shears rumor would come to fruition. That would've been really interesting to see. Given that I believe he spends most of his time on the west coast these days, it seems incredibly unlikely that his casting would ever happen now. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:43pm

This is awesome! I saw Hedwig over 20 times when it was on Broadway in 2014/2015 (I know I'm crazy) and got to see it with NPH, Andrew Rannells, Michael C Hall, JCM (before and after the accident), Darren Criss, and Taye Diggs. From what I recall, Darren Criss definitely improved during his run at the Belasco.

Personally, I always thought that production of Hedwig was tailor made for Neil Patrick Harris. BTW, isn't this production also going to West End?

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:57pm

loved nph in hedwig, was a surrealistic and stunning performance

was sorta hoping JCM might kick off the tour

Im sure Darren will be great and its part of my season package so ill be going

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:58pm

I don't know why, but I always had a feeling Darren would take the show on tour or to London, whichever came first. In related news, I'm moving to San Francisco to become a groupie.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 1:12pm

They couldn't get anybody else?

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 1:15pm

I'd totally go see Darren again, I really enjoyed him when I saw him, although I waited into VERY VERY far toward the end of his run, just to keep JCM in my mind as long as possible before revisiting...

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 1:26pm

I'll be very interested in hearing reports back from those of you who have seen the show on Broadway.  One of the things I liked most was the intimacy that the Belasco was able to provide.  Both Pantages and SHN seat more than double the Belasco, so it will definitely be a different show.

I also hope they do new promo shots - hated that one of Darren

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 1:29pm

A Canadian in NYC said: "One of the things I liked most was the intimacy that the Belasco was able to provide.  Both Pantages and SHN seat more than double the Belasco, so it will definitely be a different show."

I recommend the same strategy I use for arena/stadium shows: I never care how large the audience is behind me.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 2:01pm

They would need a larger name for the redder states.

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 2:05pm

Call_me_jorge said: "They would need a larger name for the redder states."

And a different show.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 2:11pm

neonlightsxo said: "They couldn't get anybody else?"

He's from SF and so far is only mentioned as doing the SF and LA stops. It'll be fine.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/9/16 at 2:19pm

LizzieCurry said: "neonlightsxo said: "They couldn't get anybody else?"

He's from SF and so far is only mentioned as doing the SF and LA stops. It'll be fine."

 

No one is requiring me to see it so I'm sure it will. :)