Hedwig Previews- Page 11

[newintown]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 11:23am

"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.

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 11:24am

I agree with you 100%, newintown. Ultimately, it is a fantasy but the fantasy is influencing my opinion of reality. :)

I didn't even think of Justin Bond but that is a wonderful idea!

I appreciate all of you for engaging in this discussion. Thank you! What a fun message board!



Updated On: 4/16/14 at 11:24 AM

[center]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 11:26am

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

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 11:35am

center, as I used to do concert reviews and some theater reviews as a journalist, I'm now decidedly in the opposite camp. I love nothing more than to experience a show on a purely emotional level and then NOT have to break it down and dissect it. Plus, you get to remove that bit of your brain that has to stay cognizant that you are going to have to write about this after it ends, and you start forming impressions, remembering things to reference in the review, etc. Good riddance, glad that is over...

[center]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 11:47am

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

[darquegk]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 1:22pm

Richard O'Brien identifies as trans/intersex and is famous. He is also rather old and busy doing Phineas and Ferb.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 1:36pm

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.

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 1:41pm

Taylor Mac is who I'd cast if we didn't need some A-lister. Taylor straddles the gender divide very nicely-and does it with a whole lot of energy and a great deal of presence (I like his voice, I know some people who don't).

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 1:48pm

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.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 1:54pm

"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. "

I think most people who attend the show are there to be in the moment, have a great time, and usually don't overthink or analyze it to death. The weirdos on Tumblr with conspiracy theories and people who discuss his casting to no end, probably haven't even seen the production.

"But Neil Patrick Harris isn't an actor."

Um, he has been a professional actor since his teens. He gets paid to act. His IMDb page lists many acting jobs. He is, in fact, an actor whether you think so or not.



NPH on becoming Jared Leto manorexic

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 2:06pm

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!

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 3:39pm

Sutton, you prove my point twice over in your post.

Being an actor is not simply starving oneself, gaining weight or muscle, etc. I'm saddened by people who equate this with good acting. Those who do are ignoring the art and emotion involved in the act of...acting. One can use his/her body to inform the character, but under this way of thought, all anorexics, muscle jocks and obese people are great actors. Heck, people with tattoos, piercings could be considered as individuals who are dedicated to their role!

You again prove my point in using imdb as an indicator of talent or acting ability. Industry wide, IMDb is strictly used as an indicator of marketability. This is why it features a STARmeter, MOVIEmeter and so on.

I think we all acknowledge that Mr. Harris is marketable and does very well for himself in entertaining an audience.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 3:44pm

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.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 3:56pm

Neil Patrick Harris is not only an actor. He is a very good actor.

[~~tiny3~~]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 3:59pm

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

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 4:06pm

tiny-you do not have opening night playbills. you may have playbills you expect to be consistent with the opening night playbill. But the opening is a week away and things happen.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 4:19pm

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

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 4:38pm

Theatre goer, I was just pointing out that he's an actor. I didn't say he was a great or bad one. Just that his profession is being an actor. I personally think Keanu Reeves is a horrible actor, but it doesn't make him being an actor any less true.

[~~tiny3~~]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 4:44pm

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!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 4:52pm

haterobics-confused by what you posted as i was agreeing with your post.

tiny, I am not mistaken, because the opening night playbill can be materially changed between now and opening night, by insert. Next week you may be able to call what you have the opening night playbill, but not now. I am all for spreading the love, but I am also all for accuracy, and the official record of the opening night playbill-which has significance for many purposes-requires a little more patience.

[~~tiny3~~]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 5:02pm

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.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 5:25pm

"haterobics-confused by what you posted as i was agreeing with your post."

I was referring to you not knowing tiny3 works at the Belasco, as it has come up several times in this thread.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 5:28pm

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.

[center]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 10:54pm

Thanks, Jane2! Finding a home in a show - that's it exactly. Wow.

Thinking more about this actor/entertainer distinction, I wonder if it doesn't bother me because Hedwig herself is an entertainer. So when some see NPH as hammy, I think I'm just buying that Hedwig is being hammy in those scenes, especially because he also brings out the really rather vicious side of her, making her more than just one-dimensional. Just a thought.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/17/14 at 12:09am

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.