Official JCM as Hedwig (2015 Edition) Thread — Page 16

Presumably the decision to be out a week was made with his doctors, so I'd imagine that they're confident he'll be in good shape. Otherwise, it would be pretty foolish of the producers to announce that he's only missing a week if that's not what they're actually expecting.

---

Saw the 10pm show last night, and it was incredible what JCM was able to pull off with his leg fully braced. Some of the staging changes were actually nice and made the whole show feel more intimate: instead of flying in, two stage hands carry Hedwig in and place her on stage. Instead of popping the hood and placing her head there to imitate the oven, she leans her head on a large flat platform that looked like a big music tilted horizontally. Her glittery crutch was also a very appropriate addition! Despite all the changes, the production was higher energy than ever, and I completely echo everyone else's reports that this is the real Hedwig on that stage.

Hopefully all that JCM is doing this week doesn't exacerbate his injury and he makes a speedy recovery.

The show ran from 10 until about 11:50 - a bit longer than usual - a combination of revised staging and even more so, his hilarious ad libs. He made a great little Carole King Grammy dig, and it sounds like there's even more mystery around his attacker and the location (it was the 6th Avenue Dress Barn tonight...a few blocks from the Belasco).

I thought it was kind of amazing. John gave everything he had. Amazingly, the injury actually elevated the text and lyrics at times. "Barely standing before you," and "hoppin' 'round on one foot" were especially poignant last night. I encourage everyone to try and catch the kneecap show tonight, it's a special little piece of Hedwig.

He did try to make it as effective as possible, given the circumstances. Lots of pained screams. I was pleased to see the platform still go up.

He constantly demands Yitzhak to place a crate under his foot. Screaming things like, "CRATE!" and "heel in the hole" when he needed an adjustment. My favorite is when he said we're seeing the show "in the original cast" while gesturing to his leg brace.

If JCM is indeed getting knee surgery, methinks MCH is going to be doing more than 7 encore performances of Hedwig.

Just came out of the 10 pm show and JCM was phenomenal as always. I think he started experiencing some pain during Origin Of Love. He really was a consummate performer and he plowed through the rest of the show. I just hope doing these shows after his injury hasn't exacerbated the issue and that he makes a complete recovery. He's just so awesome - and as others have said, he IS Hedwig. Watching him is nothing short of amazing.

Updated On: 2/15/15 at 12:15 AM

"Thanks for the report! Did you notice if Stephen Trask was on stage, as was rumored? I would love to see him!"

-- I was hoping for something from Stephen... perhaps a speech or the like but nothing. Saw him exiting from stage door tho. Maybe they thought it best not to prolong the show because of the injury (especially if he was in pain)?

If someone passes the Belasco today/Monday, let us know if they change the marquee! I'm really curious if they do that, along with understudy slips/lobby board/etc.

I wonder if they'll be doing a special discount for tickets to MCH? I only want the best for the show, but I'm really afraid people are going to be avoiding the Belasco like the plague next week.

Whew!! Made it just in time! I was at the 7pm show on 2/14. I was out of town and didn't know about JCM's injury before the performance and was surprised when he came out on stage. However, I got over it very fast. Actually, this performance was much more endearing and intimate! It made Hedwig even more vulnerable and made me like JCM even more...The audience was very supportive. I really like Lena's and JCM's chemistry. You can tell they are very fond of each other. The only place I missed the extra movement was Exquisite Corpse, but the emotion and singing was on point. I would like to see it again after JCM recovers. I want tickets for mid- April, but will wait to make sure JCM is recovered first.

Updated On: 2/16/15 at 01:01 PM

Just walked by the Belasco this morning on the way to work and the JCM marquee is still up. So unless they plan on changing it mid day today, seems like MCH (damn all these abbreviations haha) will be an insert in the Playbill.

I know there were "Where were I"s already in the script, but not as many as there were on Saturday. And they were mostly in the newer lines of the show.

I also didn't see anything in the lobby nor near the ticket windows mentioning MCH's return for the next batch of shows.

I know that JCM is scheduled to return next Tuesday, but i assume and hope if he actually does that he continues the toned down version he has been doing till he fully heals.

---

Does MCH use any of the new lines/staging that JCM added or does he play the role the way he did before?