Hedwig Previews — Page 11

"Famous" is of course a relative term, and acknowledging that none of these people would sell the number of tickets Harris does, it would be interesting to see Justin Bond, Candis Cayne, or Our Lady J try Hedwig on for size.

Thanks to those who are posting these nuanced reactions and thoughts about the show. I don't have a theater education beyond my own passionate interest, so I'm really working to develop a sense of evaluating elements of the theater beyond just personal impressions. Something that struck me above is this delineation between acting and entertaining, which did make me pause and think, oh, you know what, I'm not sure that I disagree with that with regards to NPH in this production, but I also wouldn't know how to go about providing evidence for it. In all seriousness, are there texts people recommend in learning to evaluate performances in this way?

The other interesting thread I'm seeing is evaluating the show across multiple levels of analysis, i.e. how it meets expectations in terms of what we as individuals want it to be given our past experiences with the show (or lack thereof), how the show has or should have developed from its original incarnations, and what is feasible or productive in its current iteration. I don't think one has to make the same evaluation across these multiple levels. So, to the question of whether or not NPH is trangressive enough, it seems that that question depends on whether the show should always aim to be transgressive. I don't know that the creative team, at least as I've heard them speak about the show so far, has that concern at the forefront for this production. They're even saying things like, isn't it great that the show *isn't* as transgressive as it used to be, because that shows that our world has opened up a bit (if not nearly enough). I'm curious what those who would like the show - or NPH's performance - to be more transgressive would like to see - and I don't ask that as an aggressive or sarcastic charge but as a genuine desire to learn more. [ETA: A trans actor in the role seems to be the main objective here?]

I had little experience with the show or NPH before I first saw it a couple of weeks ago, and I've been stunned at how deeply I've grown to love it so quickly. I've barely turned off the OOBC recording since I bought it immediately after the show. And at the risk of minimizing the show's greater transgressive effects, in that my experience of being a "misfit" and a "loser" takes very different shape than Hedwig's or many of the show's fans, I've found something truly profound in the show's message of claiming prideful independence and a sense of self-worth separate from a mythical "other half" or the acceptance of those around you. All to say, I think it's pretty tremendous that the show can be approached, appreciated, and critiqued from so many standpoints, and I hope that there isn't an assumption that one interpretation is necessarily more valid than another.

Updated On: 4/16/14 at 11:26 AM

Ha! Good to hear I'm in good company, then!

There's a certain irony in people outraged that a certain type of person wasn't cast in a show with the central theme of rejecting societal labels and forging your own identity as a way to finding completion.

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Richard O'Brien is also a good 30 years too old for this role.

While it would be great to see more opportunities for trans performers, one of the interesting things about Hedwig is that it really can be played by an actor of any gender. As long as the person has the voice and presence to pull it off, I think it works.

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Center, you wrote an incisive and well articulated post. When I read what you said about the basic message of Hedwig, it prompted me to make this post:

I was a member of the cult of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I was a member of the first shadow cast, and became an official photographer of the phenomenon of Rocky Horror. I found a home there. The message in that story is expressed in one of the song lyrics "Don't Dream It, Be It." The message is that if you are a person who feels different in any way, who feels outside the normal realm of mainstream society, there's nothing wrong with it. Whatever your dream, follow it no matter what others think. The members of our little family felt different in a number of ways-being gay, being unsure, being fat, thin, ugly, pretty, you name it. We all became a close family because of our common interests, and the film became our lives.

The first time I saw Hedwig, I was acutely aware of the similarities in the message. MIDNIGHT RADIO says it all if you listen to the words. Hedwig is also about being different, but we're all the same. We all want love. Many of the people who loved Rocky Horror also love Hedwig.

Center, thank you for your post and I'm glad you got the message!

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There is a distinction between artistic risk and commercial risk. Casting a trans individual as Hedwig is not risky from an artistic standpoint-the sort of thing that can pay artistic dividends. It is the same as suggesting that only a holocaust survivor can play a holocaust survivor, or only a slave can play a slave. It misapprehends the essence of acting and performance. Yes it would be a commercial risk-for the reason rehearsed by haterobics above-but in the broadway context, that sort of risk is just stupid. As a side point, several names have been mentioned for possible Hedwigs who lack the profile needed. Most of these individuals, moreover, are no more trans than Harris or Mitchell-that is to say, not at all.

I still have 8 opening night playbills to give away.. PM me...

I thought it was Sgt. Schultz who was supposed to know nothing?!

Hogan, you are mistaken. The "opening nite" playbills/stacks are printed and delivered to each theater at least 1 wk in advance. (I am an employee). And so, even if you attend "other" than opening nite, you will most likely receive an "opening nite playbill, until that theaters weekly bundles are gone. would you like one? Just trying to spread the Hedwig" love!

Hogan, these ARE official opening nite programs - yes, you are correct in that IF there are major, major "changes" in cast, etc. Playbill will print out new center title/cast pgs, and insert them in the pre printed monthly playbill of a particular theatre. I have only seen this happen a handful of times in 30 yrs. Playbills are manufactured in 2 steps - the bulk of the playbill, and cast/title pgs. I hope this is more clear to those who still want them. If you attended the show this wk, you will notice that your playbill is an opening nite playbill.

Tiny, I certainly agree it is a fairly rare occurrence but it does happen and the correct/actual opening night playbill has quasi-religious significance especially to anyone who is potentially up for an award or who cares about things like whether their name is printed in the published script, etc. That's what made me respond, and I feel really confident that anyone still reading this is aware of the slightly tentative nature of what you're offering them.

All I have to say after seeing this tonight is that he was brilliant. Just F*CKing brilliant.

Make up any reason you want to miss it and it's you who lose.

And Lena Hall is terrific too.

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