Hedwig Previews- Page 8

[sciencegirl]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 9:02pm

Was incredibly lucky and won the Hedwig lottery yesterday! NPH works his ASS OFF and earns every second of applause in sweat and every tear shed in his quieter, gut wrenching moments.

Lena Hall is just amazing. I hope she does not get lost in the Tony shuffle of nominees.

I was surrounded in the far left orchestra by fellow lottery winners. We seemed to be the most enthusiastic people in the place along with the people in the balcony. I practically wanted to jump out my seat during "Lift up Your Hands". I noticed that this seemed to be lost on most of the center orchestra. Was it just me or has anyone else felt that there were a lot of people there cause it's a hot show and who just didn't get it?

I am a fan of both NPH and Hedwig in its movie form. This is indeed HIS show. He owns Hedwig, instead of Hedwig owning him.....if that makes any sense.


EDIT - I do not meant the last bit above in any negative way - just that he makes Hedwig his own.
Updated On: 4/10/14 at 09:02 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 9:20pm

" He owns Hedwig, instead of Hedwig owning him.....if that makes any sense. '

That's what I was afraid of. I read similar comments elsewhere, that it is the HEDWIG story, not the NPH story. Some have said that they never once saw NPH disappear into the character. Ii hope they fix that before opening.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 10:27pm

"Some have said that they never once saw NPH disappear into the character."

I think that the "some" are few and far between. As someone who has a long history with JCM, and who had a skepticism that NPH could be Hedwig, I am happy to report this is not the NPH show, nor is it a cookie cutter version of the downtown show. It is its own unique, creative and fabulous thing, and the credit for that goes to Harris, Mayer and lots of others.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 10:49pm

So the newest controversy on the Tumblr-verse is that 'Cis' NPH has no business playing Hedwig. And when I say newest I mean within the last few days ago. Two weeks ago no one was saying anything let alone 6 months ago when he was announced. It's all people who have not a damn clue about what Hedwig even is think that the simple fact of Hedwig being Trans stakes her as a role that should only be played by trans people despite Hedwig's extreme circumstances leading to the surgery and its aftermath. It's honestly... some real batty SH*T and I suggest they really reassess what the hell they think they know about really everything.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:02pm

"I think that the "some" are few and far between. As someone who has a long history with JCM, and who had a skepticism that NPH could be Hedwig, I am happy to report this is not the NPH show, nor is it a cookie cutter version of the downtown show. It is its own unique, creative and fabulous thing, and the credit for that goes to Harris, Mayer and lots of others."

I couldn't agree more. Most people absolutely loved it, which has been very obvious with the buzz around town, ticket sales, and audience reactions. It's completely unique, incredible production. And to suggest a show "needs to be fixed" because a few people complained, is ridiculous.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:03pm

I believe this "controversy" (unlike the parallel one for DBC of which it is a derivative) falls within the province of folks who are likely not going to see the show, ever. So it can be put in the "trees falling in the forest" category.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:11pm

Just a heads up, NPH only signs Playbills at the stage door. No posters, photos, or other requests (except he did pose for photos and do the other requests they said he wouldn't do, heh). But as someone holding a poster, he just says "Sorry, no posters" and moves on... perfectly nice about it, chats about the show, etc., but keeps moving along. I think I counted four posters there, so not quite sure how that would affect things, but that is the policy for whatever reason... you are forewarned.

[April Saul]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:12pm

sciencegirl, I was at the Friday night show in the first row and yes, you might have a point...I was rocking out in my seat and wishing I could just stand up and dance but--and I don't know if this is something about sitting in the orchestra or what--a lot of people around me weren't even tapping their feet to the music...while up in the mezz and balcony, folks were doing the wave near the end! I think people down front were really enjoying it, but in a more restrained way?

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:22pm

The problem with any debate involving the word cisgender is it has nowhere to land outside of academic circles. If there was a famous, successful trans actress who was passed over for the role, then fine. But since I'm unaware of such a person, it remains an academic debate.

It's similar to people complaining what someone from American Idol joins a show, and they mention how many people in NYC have better chops, etc., etc., but if they can't sell tickets for a show already relying on stunt casting, it's sort of an empty argument, since the show would close otherwise.

Same here, create a mythical person who should play Hedwig instead, who no one knows and who can't fill a Broadway house for a one-person show... not an argument that will find much life outside of queer studies majors on Tumblr.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:23pm

"And to suggest a show "needs to be fixed" because a few people complained, is ridiculous."

Oops! I said something ridiculous according to the board corrections officer. ooooh!

[~~tiny3~~]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:28pm

Merch info (for those who care): (I work there occasionally)

Merch booths are INSIDE the theatre...

in the "nook", off House Left
in the MEZZ, opposite the BAR
in the BALC

They sell ONLY during the walk-in, and AFTER the show.
There's no intermission.

Merch: 15.00 ea...(I know, I know!!):

Batches of Matches
Very nice "ticket" key chain
Black (w/logo) coffee mug
Poster (30.00)

35.00 (I know, I kNOW!)

5 different style/color T shirts/sizes sm-2XL

Grey, heathered purple, white, w/eyes, nose mouth in makeup, no lettering, black with NPH and logo.

As for the previous comments on this thread, all I can say is, FULL HOUSE, Superbly happy, happy audience, (even before they took their seats). They ate it ALL up, the place is really rockin', earth shaking last 10 minutes. More enjoyable than I could ever imagine, and there WERE some people over 50, but the majority - teens - 40s. A lot of Hedwig Culties. I see multiple Tony noms, and even Awards. I DON'T think the musical is attached to ONLY NPH. But whomever takes over eventually has to be a bona fide triple threat, totally in shape actor. this is 90 minutes of you onstage ALL THE TIME.

Truly a gift of a show, imho.


Updated On: 4/10/14 at 11:28 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:31pm

"If there was a famous, successful trans actress who was passed over for the role, then fine. But since I'm unaware of such a person, it remains an academic debate. "

Exactly, I think they always wanted NPH for this. I don't think there is much debate to be had, really. I see several tony nominations for this. I do wonder why he doesn't sign posters though.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:36pm

I could see that he doesn't want people to show up every day, buy a $20 poster and have an easy $100 eBay item to sell, but I had it signed by JCM, Michael Mayer, Lena, some band members, etc., so I have no interest in flipping it. If I did, I'd just get my pristine NPH siggy on there, heh.

I just wish they were opening before the BC/EFA campaign ends. I much prefer to show up, slide my credit card, get a signed poster and a tax writeoff, and not wait at the stage door, heh.

But I didn't make a special trip, just walked over a block after seeing Mothers and Sons, so no biggie... Updated On: 4/10/14 at 11:36 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:38pm

Tiny, check your pas

Updated On: 4/10/14 at 11:38 PM

[pennydreadful]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:43pm

Sciencegirl, I wanted everyone in the damn place to lift up their hands - "The song is telling y'all what to do! Lift your friggin' hands!" I hope when I go back to a 10pm show, the place will be full of confirmed "Hed-heads", and everybody's hands will be waving.

I think NPH melded with the role. I think he's at a weird disadvantage, because we've all seen him host so much, banter with an audience, etc. So when he starts joking with the audience as Hedwig, it's easy to say, "Ah, well, the hosting shtick, we've seen this."

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:45pm

Hey Tiny, I was interested in buying a key chain. But, I wanted to know if the letters were just painted on (and will probably chip off) or if they are colored metal. Thank you in advance!

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:47pm

" think NPH melded with the role. I think he's at a weird disadvantage, because we've all seen him host so much, banter with an audience, etc. So when he starts joking with the audience as Hedwig, it's easy to say, "Ah, well, the hosting shtick, we've seen this."

You bring up a good point, penny. That very well may be the issue.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:52pm

I often get criticized (at concerts especially) of just standing there and "not getting into it," but I'm absorbed in watching the band/performers get into it. I don't want necessarily want to dance and scream, etc. I am beyond content witnessing every second of a show, with very focused attention, and that doesn't mean I am having a lesser experience than the people dancing around and such. I am merely having a different one.

At Hedwig, I nodded to the beat, enjoyed the hell out of it, and despite what I just wrote, I was the first person in the mid-orchestra to put my hands up for "Lift Up Your Hands" when I attended, which led others around me to join in as well. But I do think it is simplistic to say people aren't experiencing the show properly if they aren't doing what you want them to do at a show.

If your enjoyment requires my participation, and mine doesn't require yours... then you're setting yourself up to be let down pretty easily, no?

[~~tiny3~~]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:56pm

jane, ck your pms

[pennydreadful]

Posted: 4/10/14 at 11:59pm

Point taken. Still looking forward to a 10pm show.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:03am

Tumblr is always a really bad place to go for "controversy"- all of that stuff exists inside an echo chamber of social media, where (often quite young, often quite un/misinformed) people rant about things and think it makes a difference.

Hedwig is a tough thing to characterize in this sense because Hedwig isn't really "trans" as it has come to be known now because Hedwig was a gay male who identified as such, but was forced through extenuating circumstances to accept a surgery which left him incapable of identifying fully as either male or female. Who could truly identify with that scenario? How many performers, or people in general, can say that is their life? Hedwig's queer, and the show is probably the *best* example of queer theatre that exists precisely due to the fact that no label really identifies Hedwig. (If anyone asks me what the point of "queer" as a label is, I usually reference the scene in the Hedwig film in which Hedwig and Yitzhak are in bed together and challenge the person to define that whole scenario as "gay" or "straight")

As much as I think as finding a competent performer who actually is, due to surgery or otherwise, physically neither male or female would be a total casting coup, it's extremely unfeasible and incredibly unrealistic.

[sciencegirl]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:07am

Ha! Looking forward to the "Hedwig 10pm Shows" thread.....

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:08am

Echo chamber is the perfect description for that social media "activism." I've certainly had to untumble a few people since their idee fixe got a bit monotonous after a while.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:18am

Beautifully written Kad.

[April Saul]

Posted: 4/11/14 at 12:50am

I'm confused...does NPH not sign windowcards for Hedwig, his own show? Is that a new thing? I think I picked that up at another stage door recently, and it just seems crazy to me.