Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#1
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.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#2
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.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/7/16
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#3
Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:08pm
Important to note it only says he will be Hedwig for the San Francisco and LA dates.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#4
Posted: 5/9/16 at 12:08pm
Don't skip it, Les. Darren is no NPH or JCM, but he was quite good.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#5
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#6
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.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#7
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
Broadway Star Joined: 1/7/16
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#8
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.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#9
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!
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#11
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.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#12
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.
Broadway Star Joined: 2/27/06
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#13
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/13
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#14
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.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#15
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?
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#16
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
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#17
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.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#19
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... 
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#20
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
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#21
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.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#22
Posted: 5/9/16 at 2:01pm
They would need a larger name for the redder states.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#23
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.
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#24
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
Darren Criss to lead Hedwig tour#25
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. :)
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